Veneers
Cosmetic Dental Surgery
What are Veneers
Veneers are custom-made thin layers of very strong, stain-resistant, translucent porcelain. This is a tooth enamel replacement treatment carried out by a cosmetic dentist.
Porcelain Veneers are so similar to your natural teeth that when fused onto your worn or damaged teeth, they will enhance your smile and restore the strength of your natural teeth.
Porcelain Veneers are typically less than half a millimetre thick. They require very little tooth preparation to stay on as they are fused to the surface of your original teeth.
The colour of the veneers can be precisely matched to your natural teeth or brightened and whitened to a shade of your choice. Before treatment begins, you will be presented with photographs and digital images of your new smile.
Different Types of Veneers
What are Composite Veneers?
Composite Veneers are made from a composite resin applied directly to your teeth in dental surgery by a skilled cosmetic dentist. This resin is then shaped and polished to give you your ideal smile.
There is no need for local anaesthetic or needles as this is a pain-free procedure that can be completed in one appointment.
Your dentist will begin the veneer process by cleaning your teeth thoroughly, then lightly etching the enamel on the front surface of your teeth to improve adhesion. At this point, the dentist will apply the glue and add thin layers of composite material cured under a light.
Finally, the teeth will be shaped and polished to the desired shape. The dentist can colour-match this material to the rest of your teeth or a shade of your choice.
Composite Veneers are a great way to repair chipped and slightly damaged teeth. They are a cost-effective restoration treatment that can be quickly applied. However, they are prone to chipping. They are not as long-lasting and as durable as porcelain veneers.
What are Same Day Veneers?
These are extremely thin and specially manufactured composite fibre shells that a skilled cosmetic dentist can apply to the front surface of your teeth and then shape and polish to your desired finish.
The procedure is completed in a single session, and no lab work is required. This makes them a more economical and quicker option when compared to porcelain veneers.
The natural tooth has very little surface preparation as the shells are extremely thin. They are a great option when cost is a concern and time is limited.
This cosmetic dentistry procedure is used to cover old fillings and discolouration, fill small gaps and chips in your teeth and straighten minor twists in your teeth.
You can have a beautiful smile with relative ease.
What are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are incredibly durable and last considerably longer than composite and same-day veneers. They are made from porcelain and give you a consistent, straight, bright-looking smile.
They are used for many reasons discussed above, but the design and fitting process takes a little longer. You are involved at every stage in the design process, and the final result is displayed digitally before you even begin treatment.
Before and After Veneers
The patient featured in the images below before and after treatment had combined treatment of in-surgery teeth whitening and eight porcelain veneers.
These veneers wrapped around the teeth, like dental crowns, improve the teeth’ shape, colour and position. The patient’s bite was opened to lengthen the teeth, improve the bite, and enhance the appearance of his smile.
When are Veneers used?
Veneers are a restorative dental treatment that can save and even improve the appearance of your smile. Your treatment choice will be based on the condition of your teeth, your budget, the time available and the problem you’d like to solve.
They are considered a cosmetic dental product that helps to restore the appearance of teeth that have been damaged, whether discoloured, crooked, slightly decayed, cracked, filled or broken.
We often use veneers as part of an overall smile design process whereby we digitally design your finished smile to improve the colour, shape and position of your teeth to give you your ideal smile.
They are ideal for dental corrections for teeth that are mostly intact.
What are the Benefits
Pain-free treatment and no needles required.
Custom-made and individually shaped to match the smile you want.
They can close gaps and cover chips and cracks to improve appearance.
They can disguise the misalignment of teeth.
They improve the shape and appearance of your overall smile giving you greater confidence.
There is a choice of options to suit your budget and time.
Porcelain Veneers Treatment Process
The first step in the process involves an initial consultation with the dentist. During this consultation, high-resolution photographs are taken. Then using advanced digital technology, images are prepared for you so you can see what your new smile will look like.
If you decide to proceed with treatment, we take 3D scans of your teeth and send them with photographs to our digital designer.
Using these photographs and 3D scans, our digital designer will create a virtual design on the model of your new veneers.
We will make a 3d model from that design which we will then use to create a template to apply temporary Veneers for your approval.
The template acts as a guide to how much preparation we need to do on the teeth. We carry out minimal preparation on the teeth with our veneers, being only about half a millimetre thick.
Once the temporary Veneers are applied, you can wear them for a couple of weeks to see how they feel and if you are happy with your overall appearance.
When you return to the surgery, we will check if you are happy with the shape and feel and make any alterations necessary. You are fully involved in the design process, so there are no surprises.
Once satisfied with the final design, we rescan the altered temporaries if necessary and have an identical copy of Permanent Veneers produced in our lab, and you will return for a fitting.
You will not be getting turkey teeth where your teeth are completely drilled down. Instead, you will get minimal surface preparation and custom-designed Veneers to fix the shape, colour and position of your teeth to your chosen design.
How Long do Veneers Last
Composite and Dental Veneers will need to be maintained just like your natural teeth. Regular cleaning and dental check ups are recommended. These veneers will last 5 years or more with good maintenance. They can also be repaired or replaced by your dentist if needed.
Porcelain Veneers are made from a much harder and very strong stain resistant, translucent porcelain. They will last considerably longer, 10 to 15 years or more with proper care.
Am I a Suitable Candidate for Veneers
After a thorough exam, the cosmetic dentist will recommend dental treatment options based on your specific situation.
If your tooth is mostly intact and only needs minor corrections, your dentist may recommend Veneers.
Your first step is to book a free consultation with us to assess suitability and the dentist’s recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Veneers
Can Veneers Break?
Porcelain veneers are quite strong and resistant to breakage when cared for properly. However, they are not indestructible. Extreme force or trauma can cause them to crack or chip.
What Happens to My Natural Teeth Under Veneers?
Teeth under veneers undergo a preparation process that may involve the removal of a small amount of tooth enamel to ensure a proper fit. After veneers are placed, the teeth remain intact underneath. It’s important to maintain good oral hygiene to keep these teeth healthy.
What Foods should I Avoid With Veneers?
It’s advised to avoid or be cautious with:
Hard foods such as ice or hard sweets.
Sticky sweets and chewing gum.
Extremely crunchy foods that can apply undue pressure.
Staining agents like coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco.
Do You Offer Payment Plans for Veneers?
Yes. We work with HUMM Finance, so you can spread the cost of your Veneers.
Do Teeth Stay Clean Under Veneers?
Teeth under veneers can stay clean if proper dental hygiene is practiced, including regular brushing, flossing, and professional dental cleanings. The veneers themselves also need to be cleaned to prevent issues like gum disease.
Are Veneers Reversible?
No, veneers are not reversible because a portion of the tooth enamel is removed during the preparation process. This change is permanent, and teeth will always need to be protected with veneers or another type of dental restoration.
How Do I Care for My Veneers?
Care for veneers by:
Brushing with a non-abrasive toothpaste twice a day.
Flossing daily.
Avoiding using your teeth to open packaging or biting down on hard objects.
Wearing a guard if you grind your teeth at night.
Visiting your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings.
Can Veneers Stain?
Porcelain veneers are highly resistant to staining, but composite veneers may be susceptible to discolouration over time. It’s important to maintain them properly and have regular professional cleanings.
Related Content:
The Benefits of Dental Veneers
For any other questions or to see if veneers are the right choice for you, please reach out to our office for a personal consultation.
