Veneers are thin, custom-made shells crafted of tooth-coloured materials, designed to cover the front side of teeth to improve the overall appearance. They are made of either thin plastic resin or porcelain and can be placed to:
Tooth preparation is minimal and confined to the enamel structure. The veneer is bonded to the tooth structure with tooth-coloured resin cement. Several visits are necessary to complete treatment.
The treatment process for veneers usually takes a couple of appointments to complete in our practice. Initially, we see you for a consultation to ensure your teeth and gums are healthy and suitable for veneer treatment. We talk to you about the treatment to make sure you know what to expect, and give you the chance to ask any questions.
If you choose to proceed with treatment, we begin by preparing your teeth. This usually involves removing a thin layer of the natural enamel structure to enable your veneer to sit perfectly in line with the surrounding teeth. In some cases, we may not need to remove any enamel at all. We take digital impressions so your veneers can be accurately custom made, and fit temporary veneers to protect your prepared teeth.
When your final veneers are ready, we arrange your fitting appointment. We check that you are happy with the colour, shape and appearance of your veneer before fitting it into place using strong dental adhesive.
Veneers are usually an irreversible process due to the need to remove a thin layer of natural tooth enamel. They can be removed from your teeth if they become damaged or chipped, but replacements will need to be fitted.
The treatment process for veneers shouldn’t be painful, but you may feel some discomfort while your dentist prepares your teeth and removes some of the natural structure. We can use local anaesthetic to minimise this, and always make sure you feel relaxed and ready before beginning. The actual fitting of your veneer is completely pain free and not invasive, as we use adhesive to fix the veneer shell to the front of your tooth.
If looked after properly, your veneers have the potential to last for over ten years. It is important to treat them with care. Try to avoid biting into very hard or sticky foods, and don’t use your teeth to open anything or chew pen tops so your veneers stay undamaged and in place for as long as possible.
The best way to look after your veneers is to maintain an excellent oral hygiene routine at home, including brushing and flossing twice a day. It can help to consider your veneers as natural teeth and treat them accordingly. Your dentist will keep an eye on your veneers and overall oral health at your regular check up appointments, and can spot any potential issues before they are allowed to worsen.
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