If you’re interested in dental veneers in Palo Alto, you may be wondering how long it takes to get your new smile. How long does it take to get veneers? How many visits will you need to make to the dentist?
The short answer is that the entire veneers process usually takes about three weeks, and it usually involves three separate visits to the dentist. In total, you can expect to spend about 3-4 hours in the dentist’s chair throughout the process.
Want more details? In this blog from Mary Qian Dental Group, we’ll go over the complete treatment timeline, and discuss how long you can expect your treatment from Dr. Mary Qian to take. Let’s get into it.
The first step is to come into Mary Qian Dental Group for your initial cosmetic consultation, which will take 30-60 minutes. At this appointment, Dr. Mary Qian will meet with you. She will perform an oral exam, and our team may also take x-rays of your mouth if necessary.
Then, she will discuss all of your options for treatment with you. At our office, we offer a wide variety of cosmetic dentistry solutions. These include veneers, as well as dental bonding, teeth whitening, and even dental crowns for teeth that are not suitable for other methods of cosmetic treatment.
During your consultation, Dr. Qian will determine if veneers are right for you, and discuss your treatment timeline and expected cost. If you’re a good candidate for treatment and you choose veneers, you’ll schedule a follow-up appointment at our office. This is usually set for about a week after your cosmetic consultation, but we can fit patients in sooner, in some cases.
After about a week, you’ll come into our office to have your teeth prepared for veneers. Dr. Qian will need to remove a very thin layer of enamel from each tooth that’s receiving a veneer. This exposes fresh enamel, which helps your veneers bond strongly to your tooth. Removing a layer of tooth material also ensures that your veneers fit perfectly into your mouth, and don’t affect your bite.
Dr. Qian will begin by cleaning and numbing your mouth. Then, she will use a dental drill to gently remove some enamel from your teeth. Once she’s done, she will take impressions and images of your newly-prepared teeth. Then, Dr. Qian will attach a temporary set of veneers to your teeth and send you home. This procedure takes 1-2 hours.
Next, Dr. Qian will send your impressions and images to a dental lab where your permanent porcelain veneers will be made. It usually takes around two weeks for our partner lab to build your veneers and send them back to our office.
Once your veneers have arrived at Mary Qian Dental Group, you’ll come in for your final appointment. At this appointment, Dr. Qian will remove your temporary veneers and clean your teeth. Then, she will check the fit of each veneer and bond it into place permanently with dental cement. Once she’s done placing your veneers, Dr. Qian will polish your smile one final time and send you home. Your final procedure will usually take 1-2 hours.
At Mary Qian Dental Group, we specialize in cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Qian and our team love helping our friends and neighbors in Palo Alto get the smiles they’ve always wanted. If you’re interested in veneers or any other cosmetic dentistry procedures in Palo Alto, we’re here to help. Just contact us online or give us a call at (650) 327-3172 to schedule your appointment today, and take the first steps toward your dream smile.
