Many patients discover the advantages of dental veneers. Unlike a crown, which covers the entire tooth, a veneer is a thin shell that is placed on the front visible surface of the tooth. The veneer placement procedure consists of several stages — from tooth preparation to bonding the veneers.
In this article, the specialists of Yarema Dental Clinic explain in detail how veneers are placed, what the patient experiences at each stage, and provide recommendations for their care.
Stages of Veneer Placement
Tooth Preparation
Before starting any procedure, an initial consultation and examination are required. During this appointment, the dentist checks whether the patient has any contraindications to veneer placement, such as dental caries, gum diseases, significant tooth cracks, or serious bite abnormalities.
If there are no obstacles to veneer placement, the doctor and the patient jointly select the desired shade and shape of the future veneers.
During preparation, a thin layer of enamel is removed from the tooth surface — usually only 0.3–0.5 mm. This minimal reduction is necessary to ensure that the veneers adhere securely and do not make the teeth appear overly bulky. These manipulations are performed under local anesthesia.
If ultrathin veneers are planned — for example, lumineers, which do not require significant tooth reduction — preparation may be minimal or even unnecessary if the patient has naturally aligned teeth.
After tooth preparation, the dentist may place temporary veneers, which are made from composite material or acrylic directly in the dental office. Temporary veneers protect the prepared teeth while the permanent ones are being fabricated. They are not as strong or aesthetic as permanent veneers, but they provide an acceptable appearance and prevent tooth sensitivity during the transitional period.
Tooth Scanning and Laboratory Fabrication of Veneers
After tooth preparation, the dentist obtains precise impressions of the teeth. In modern dentistry, digital scanners are often used instead of traditional impressions. This equipment creates a 3D model of the teeth, ensuring higher accuracy.
The resulting digital models are sent to a dental laboratory, where dental technicians fabricate the permanent veneers.
Veneer fabrication may take from several days to 1–2 weeks. The duration depends on the number of veneers, the complexity of the case, the patient’s aesthetic requirements, and the laboratory’s workload.
Try-In and Final Bonding of Veneers
Once the veneers are ready, the patient is invited for a try-in and placement appointment. The dentist removes the temporary veneers and cleans the tooth surfaces of any remaining cement. Each veneer is then placed on the corresponding tooth without bonding. This allows the dentist to check the fit, as well as whether the color and shape meet the expected results.
The patient can see their future smile in the mirror before final fixation. At this stage, minor adjustments are possible: the dentist may adjust the shade of the cement, as the color of the bonding material slightly affects the final appearance of the veneer, or lightly polish the edge to ensure a perfect fit.
When both the dentist and the patient are satisfied with the appearance and fit of the veneers, the permanent bonding stage begins. The tooth surface is treated and an adhesive etching gel is applied to ensure strong bonding. The inner surface of the veneer is also treated with a special solution to improve adhesion. A thin layer of dental cement is applied to the tooth, and the veneer is firmly pressed into place.
The dentist activates the cement using a curing lamp (a special blue light), which allows the cement to harden quickly. Excess cement is carefully removed.
Finally, the edges of the veneers are polished to ensure a smooth transition between the veneer and the tooth.
After the procedure, the dentist checks the patient’s bite.
It is important to ensure that the veneers do not interfere with proper jaw closure and that the patient experiences no discomfort while biting. If necessary, minor adjustments are made by grinding.
The dentist also provides recommendations for proper veneer care.
Summary of Veneer Placement Stages
| Tooth preparation | A thin layer of enamel is removed from the tooth surface — usually 0.3–0.5 mm. |
| Tooth scanning and veneer fabrication | The dentist obtains precise impressions and sends them to a dental laboratory, where the veneers are fabricated. |
| Try-in and bonding | If the veneers fit properly, the dentist bonds them to the front surface of the teeth using a special adhesive. |
What the Patient Feels During and After the Procedure
Patients planning veneer placement often wonder what they will feel during and after the procedure. Many are concerned about pain and how long it will take to adapt to their new teeth.
Here is what most patients can expect.
During the Procedure
As mentioned earlier, local anesthesia is always administered before tooth preparation. Thanks to this, the preparation process is painless. You will remain conscious but will not feel pain. You may only experience sensations of touch, pressure, or vibration while the dentist works on the enamel.
Some patients compare the sound and sensation of the dental drill to the vibration of a mobile phone — unpleasant, but completely tolerable.
If you feel very anxious or suffer from dental phobia, discuss this with your dentist. In special cases, sedative techniques may be used (such as nitrous oxide or medical sleep), although this is usually not necessary for veneer placement.
In general, tooth preparation and impression taking take 1–2 hours, depending on the number of teeth being treated.
After the Procedure
After permanent veneers are placed and the anesthesia wears off, you may experience mild discomfort. Sometimes increased sensitivity to hot or cold occurs. This happens because a small amount of enamel was removed, and the teeth may react to temperature changes. This sensitivity is usually temporary and disappears within a few days or weeks.
Mild inflammation or irritation of the gums around the veneers is also possible. During bonding, the dentist works near the gum margin, which may cause temporary redness or irritation. This typically resolves quickly, especially if you rinse with the recommended mouthwash.
Most patients note that adaptation to veneers occurs fairly quickly. During the first few days, you may feel that your teeth are slightly different to the touch, and that your speech or bite has changed. This is normal — your brain and oral muscles are adapting to the new tooth shape.
If the bite was properly adjusted, within a few days you will stop perceiving the veneers as foreign. However, if after a week you still feel discomfort when opening or closing your mouth or biting, be sure to contact your dentist.
Many people report increased self-confidence after veneer placement. A new smile often brings joy and admiration not only to you, but also to those around you.
Physical discomfort during and after the procedure is minimal and short-lived, while the positive emotions from an improved smile are significant and long-lasting.
How to Care for Veneers to Ensure Long-Term Results
Daily Oral Hygiene and Cleaning
Proper veneer care is the key to their longevity and aesthetic appearance. The teeth under the veneers require proper hygiene. Having veneers does not eliminate the need for daily oral care — on the contrary, maintaining excellent oral hygiene is essential to preserve both the health of the teeth and the durability of the veneers.
Oral hygiene recommendations after veneer placement:
- brush your teeth twice a day;
- use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste;
- pay special attention to the gum line, where plaque can accumulate and lead to gingivitis or even decay at the junction of the tooth and veneer;
- clean interdental spaces using dental floss;
- use an alcohol-free mouthwash if recommended by your dentist;
- avoid whitening strips or gels on veneers — these products do not affect ceramic but may damage the cement margins.
Dietary Restrictions and What to Avoid
Dietary habits can significantly affect the condition of veneers. Immediately after placement, while the anesthesia is still active, avoid eating and drinking hot beverages until full sensation returns.
Further recommendations include:
Avoid hard foods and harmful habits.
To prevent veneer debonding or chipping of the veneer or tooth, avoid biting hard foods or objects such as ice, nut shells, fruit pits, pencils, or pens. Hard crackers or candies should be dissolved or broken into smaller pieces rather than bitten with the front teeth.
Limit sticky and chewy foods.
Toffees, chewy caramels, gummy candies, or chewing gum can stick to the teeth and create excessive stress on veneer margins. In some cases, very sticky foods may partially pull on a veneer or weaken its bond to the enamel.
Consume staining foods and drinks with caution.
Ceramic veneers are resistant to staining and usually do not change color over time. However, uncovered tooth areas and the composite cement at the veneer margin can become discolored. Therefore, it is recommended to moderately consume coffee, strong tea, red wine, cola, curry sauces, berries, and other staining products. It is not necessary to eliminate them completely, but rinsing your mouth with water afterward is advised. Smoking should also be limited, as tobacco smoke can cause yellowish deposits on teeth and veneer margins.
Remember that dental caries can still develop on uncovered tooth surfaces after veneer placement. Therefore, a healthy diet with moderate sugar and acid intake remains important.
Do not ignore protective measures.
If you have bruxism or participate in contact sports, discuss this with your dentist. A custom night guard may be made to protect your veneers during sleep from excessive clenching and potential cracks. When playing sports, always use a mouthguard to prevent damage from accidental facial impacts.
Regular Dental Check-Ups
Even if you experience no issues after veneer placement, regular dental visits for preventive check-ups and professional cleanings are essential — at least twice a year.
During these visits, the dentist will examine the condition of the veneers, check their stability, and look for chips, cracks, or gaps between the veneer and tooth where bacteria may accumulate. The condition of the surrounding gums will also be assessed.
If any defects are detected, the dentist can perform timely corrections or repairs to extend the lifespan of the veneers.
Professional dental cleaning is performed using special non-abrasive pastes that are safe for veneers. The hygienist removes plaque and tartar from hard-to-reach areas and polishes both teeth and veneers. This improves aesthetics and helps prevent plaque accumulation.
Veneer placement is a well-established procedure that, when performed by a skilled dentist and supported by responsible patient care, delivers excellent long-term results. Do not hesitate to ask your dentist questions — at Yarema Dental Clinic, specialists will always explain each stage in detail, ensure your comfort during treatment, and teach you how to care for your new veneers.
This article does not replace a medical consultation. For complete and personalized information, please consult your dentist.