The number and length of appointments will vary depending on the type and quantity of treatment required. Some preliminary appointments may be required to establish excellent gum health and deal with structural aspects. These may include existing decay, root fillings, bite adjustment and tooth whitening
Assuming all is correct in these areas, then major changes to your smile can often be completed in two main visits. The front visual areas are nearly always completed first to establish a functional cosmetic rejuvenation which matches into the smile perfectly. By creating this defining canine bite guidance on the front teeth, back teeth can be later corrected into a suitable long-term good structural position as treatment is required.
A Typical Treatment Sequence
- Hygiene Visit for teeth and gum cleaning
- Any Filling and Root Canals that require Replacement prior to Cosmetic Work
- Teeth Whitening
- Scans/Impressions for a Diagnostic Wax-up
- Showing of Diagnostic Wax-up to Patient
- Cosmetic Visit One – Preparation, impression, and temporary Veneer/Crowns
- Cosmetic Visit Two – (three weeks later) – Insertion of Final Veneers/Crowns
- Review and Protective Bite Splint Fabrication for Selected Patients
Cosmetic Visit One: At the first visit, all your front teeth are prepared, accurate impressions are taken, bite recorded and accurate fitting of provisional (temporary) restorations completed. These provisional restorations are tailor made to look very much like the final visual presentation of your new smile. This allows us to review them at an interim appointment where you and your Dentist are able to assess any changes. An impression of these provisional restorations is used by our associated on-site laboratory as a realistic guide in constructing your veneers and crown-work, so as to guarantee the shape and position of your new teeth are just as the temporaries were.
Cosmetic Visit Two: At the second major visit the provisional restorations are removed and the Porcelain Veneers and/or Crowns are fitted and polished. Often special light-cured translucent adhesives are used to ensure trouble free and long lasting results.