How are veneers bonded to teeth

Porcelain Veneers | Composite Veneers | Replacement Veneers  | Before & After | Costs | Procedure

Bonding Process

Ultrathin Veneers, Durathin Veneers and Lumineers involve no drilling and injections since no tooth is being cut.

Successful treatment depends not only on the laboratory creation of a superb, highly aesthetic and realistic looking porcelain veneer but also on the durability of the adhesive bonds.

Veneers are bonded to teeth using a cementation technique that secures the porcelain firmly to the tooth and often requires little anaesthetic.

“Cementation” simply means sticking the porcelain to the tooth using agents with powerful adhesive properties. It describes using special cement to adhere the veneers to your existing teeth. 

Similar products can bond any type of ceramic Indirect Restoration or Filling.

The choice of bonding agents and system is dependent upon:

• The personal preference of the clinician.

Professional dentists may find that one technique and system is better than any other in their hands.

Most of these cementation systems are technique sensitive, meaning that the procedure must be followed accurately and requires specialist dentists to apply. 

It is wise to opt for an expert dentist, like Dr Bhavna Doshi, who will follow precise processes and has had success’s clinical experience.

Also, different cementation systems have varying usability and product setting speeds.

These, too, can significantly affect the quality of the result if not managed correctly.

• The quality of the bonding system.

We only use premium and high-quality products that secure a good outcome.

• The type of porcelain’s fitting surface.

Some restorations require a particular type of process. For example, a porcelain surface may be pre-treated or pre-roughed to allow for better bonding.

• Whether the bonding is to enamel or dentine.

Both have different structures: enamel is all an inorganic mineral, while dentine is composed of organic and non-organic parts.

Minimally prepared teeth will have more enamel surface, whilst those teeth that are deep into dentine will have differing bonding requirements.

The Cementation Process:

1. If any local anaesthetic is required, this is first given.
2. The transitional or temporary restorations/veneers are then removed, and the teeth cleaned.
3. The teeth are then isolated to keep away any saliva or moist lips and cheeks from the mouth. 
4. The shells are then “tried in” to ensure they all fit correctly.
5. The veneers are then prepared using a special acidic agent and a bonding resin. This will allow the porcelain to fuse to the bonding cement.
6. The bonding surface of the teeth is then prepared by washing thoroughly and then etching the surface. This etching process uses an acid that creates microscopic “holes” into the tooth surface. You cannot see them with the naked eye. They are required so that the cement can integrate with the tooth surface, establishing a powerful bond.
7. The teeth surfaces are then treated with special agents that reduce postoperative sensitivity and bonding resin.
8. The main cementing product is a light coloured base paste. Different shades of the base cement can be used depending upon the specific colour choices or levels of opacity required. This paste sets hard when a special blue light is shone onto the veneer. This process is called “light-curing”.
9. In some cases, we require a double bonding system that is both light and chemically cured or set. We can use another cement called a “catalyst” in these circumstances. When the catalyst cement is mixed with the base cement, it sets off a chemical reaction that starts setting the cement hard. Speed is often of the essence here. These cement can also be light-cured for additional security.
10. The cement is placed in each veneer, and each veneer (one at a time) is placed upon the specially prepared tooth surface. The veneers are then light-cured to set hard on each tooth.
11. Each tooth is then cleaned up. Special smoothing drills are used to polish each veneer on each tooth. We then make sure that you can easily floss your teeth.
12. Finally, the biting surfaces are checked to ensure the patient is comfortable.
13. You will then be able to sit up and look at your final teeth.

At The Perfect Smile Studios, we have a special clinic explicitly dedicated to the cementation process.

This allows us to be wholly focused on a smooth process that increases the likelihood of more extended-lasting dentistry.

That’s why in London and Hertfordshire, we are considered one of the best. The proof of this is with our patients, who leave our practice happy and empowered.

See: Tooth preparation

Download Brochure

Before and After photos