VENEERS

A simple change that makes a big difference

One of the most popular ways to achieve a beautiful smile is with veneers.

You no longer need to hide your smile because of gaps, chips, stains, or misshapen teeth. With veneers, you can easily correct imperfections and be confident about your beautiful smile.

Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made shells finely crafted and bonded to the front of a tooth. Receiving veneers will require two appointments; the first is to prepare the teeth for the veneers and the second to place them.

A small amount of tooth enamel is removed so when your veneers are placed your teeth still look completely natural. Then a detailed impression mould is made and sent to a dental technician who creates your veneers.

At your second appointment your veneers are checked for fit and comfort, any required adjustments are made before your veneers are permanently bonded to your teeth.

When placed, your veneers look like your natural surrounding teeth. Although extremely fine, porcelain veneers are quite strong, durable and stain resistant.

Composite veneers are made using a special white resin material that is coloured to the shade of your natural tooth enamel.

This type of dental veneer is usually used to fix small tooth imperfections like small chips or cracks in the teeth or as a conservative alternative to porcelain veneers. Composite veneers have the advantage and convenience of being in a single appointment visit.

The composite material is placed in layers and hardened by a special UV light. It is then sculpted to the perfect shape to blend seamlessly with your surrounding natural teeth.

With correct care and regular check-up appointments, your porcelain and composite veneers will enable you to enjoy a beautiful smile for many years.

How does a dentist apply veneers?

The process itself will depend on whether you’re getting porcelain or composite resin veneers.

For porcelain, your dentist will remove a thin layer of enamel from the front of the tooth to make room. Then, they’ll take a mould to create a veneer that perfectly fits your tooth. Due to the time this takes, you’ll probably have to come back for a second visit to have the permanent veneer glued to your tooth. In the meantime, you’ll have a temporary veneer – this tends to be less sturdy, so be sure to listen to your dentist’s instruction and exercise a lot of caution while you’re wearing your temporary veneer.

You can usually get your composite resin veneers in just one visit. First, your dentist will put a mild chemical on the tooth to make it rough enough for the veneer to stick. They will then add layer upon layer of resin to the tooth, using a bright light to harden each one along the way. After the last layer is in place, your dentist will shape and polish it for a natural look and feel.

How do I look after my veneers?

You should care for your veneer the same way you care for your natural teeth. This means twice-daily brushing and flossing, as well as careful dietary habits. Basically, keep your sugar intake to an absolute minimum, and drink plenty of water.

Porcelain veneers are expected to last 5-15 years, depending on their placement and how well you look after them. Composite resin veneers will typically last 3-5 years. In both cases, you should try to avoid biting onto hard objects such as ice cubes, and non-food items such as nails or packaging. While veneers can be replaced if they chip or crack, prevention is usually the best option!

Of course, any and all questions about veneers can be directed to your dentist. Your own case will be unique, so they’ll be best suited to answer queries for your teeth and gums.