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Porcelain Veneers

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Porcelain Veneers Overview

Porcelain veneers are a great way to improve your smile if you are unhappy with the colour, shape or position of your teeth.  A veneer is very much like a “false nail”.

It is a thin layer of ceramic (porcelain) which is bonded to the tooth to provide maximum aesthetics in cases where teeth are discoloured or crowded.  They are a thin, custom-made shell which is designed to cover the front side of a tooth and are a permanent, long-term solution for problems with stained or chipped teeth.

Firstly, one of our dentists will need to reduce the enamel on the front of your tooth before a veneer is placed. They will then take an impression of your tooth, so the veneer that is bonded to the tooth is made to exact specifications.  The treatment is usually carried out under local anaesthetic to make sure that it is completely comfortable.  It will usually take two visits to complete, the first to prepare and match the colour shade to the tooth, the second to fit the veneer with an adhesive.  When getting a veneer you should always remember that this is an irreversible process as a small amount of enamel is removed from your teeth in order to place the veneer.

Veneers require you to have a healthy tooth in order to work their best. If you have heavily filled teeth or a very heavy bite you may benefit more from ceramic crowns. Veneers have an average lifespan of 10-12 years, but by maintaining good oral hygiene they can survive well in excess of this.

Additional Information

Before considering veeners

  • Your gums must be really healthy if you would like to go for veneers and if there are any complications regarding this, one of our dentists will want to address this problem before going ahead with your veneer.
  • If your teeth are heavily chipped, this will also be something that one of our dentists will want addressed before going ahead. There can be a night splint appliance/night guard made to help protect the veneer from harm if you are someone who would be prone to nail biting or tooth grinding, as this can shorten the life span of your veneer.
  • Veneers are at large not a recommendation for any patient under the age of 18. This is due to the gum line in young adults changing considerably as they age. The nerve is also much closer to the surface of the tooth so any tooth restorations would be deferred until the patient is at least 18 years of age.
  • Veneers can be made to any shade you like; while the Hollywood white styles can be delivered, many patients would prefer to achieve a much more natural colour and look. Our dentists will work with you to create the best shade to suit you.
  • You will often hear people say that celebrities have veneers and this is the best way to recreate the picture-perfect smile but you must remember that each mouth is different and veneers need careful consideration before going ahead with treatment. Our dentists will guide you as best as they can and can offer mock-up veneers for you to “try on” so you can see what difference they will make to your mouth before making anything permanent.

Preparing your tooth for a veneer

When applying a veneer, a small amount of your original tooth enamel must be removed, normally less than a millimetre. This is primary to creating room for the porcelain veneer to fit within the mouth and as accurately as it can in order to restore natural tooth function while creating an even better appearance than the original tooth. Light-sensitive resin is placed between the original tooth and the veneer and then it is hardened using a special curing light.

Porcelain veneers can be very successful for situations when the original tooth has developed poor shape, colour and unsightly contours. For some people, stains on their teeth have not responded well to tooth whitening or bleaching and in these cases, a veneer can be a great solution for achieving that beautiful white smile.

Maintenance of a porcelain veneer

Maintaining a veneer can be quite simple! Treat them as though you would your natural teeth, with routine flossing and brushing. Our dentists will suggest what non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste will be best for the maintenance of your new veneers.

A week after your veneer has been placed, your dentist will recommend that you return for a follow-up appointment to make sure everything has set accordingly and to see how your mouth is reacting to your new veneer.

If you have a habit of grinding your teeth at night, your dentist will advise that you have a nightguard made so that you do not damage your veneers overnight.

You should also make regular check-ins with your dentist to have your porcelain veneers professionally cleaned and also to ensure that your dentist will not see any potential reasons for your veneer to be failing.

Patient testimonial:

“Hi my name is Anne, I was quite eager to change my appearance and get new veneers but also apprehensive and anxious about the procedure! However when I met David, he explained very clearly to me what steps and work was involved in this procedure and made me feel relaxed about it. I now have my new veneers thanks to David and when I look at the “before” picture and the “after” picture I am so happy with the results.”
Anne – February 19, 2014

Latest offer:

10% OFF when you have 3 or more porcelain veneers

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