Veneers
Cosmetic Enamel Replacement Therapy
What are Veneers
Veneers are custom made and 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 they are fused onto your worn or damaged teeth they will enhance your smile and also restore the strength of your natural teeth. Porcelain Veneers are typically half a millimetre thick and require very little tooth preparation to make them 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. You will be presented with photographs and digital images of your new smile before treatment even begins.
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 very thin layers of composite material which is then cured under 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.
There is very little surface preparation of the natural tooth 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 to your teeth and straightening minor twists in your teeth.
You can have a beautiful smile with relative ease.
What are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are incredibly durable veneers that last considerably longer than both composite and same day veneers. They are made from porcelain and give you a consistent, straight and bright looking smile.
They are used for many of the same reasons as 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 to you in digital form before you ever begin treatment.
Before and After Veneers
The patient feature in the images below of before and after treatment had combined treatment of in surgery teeth whitening and eight porcelain veneers.
These veneers wrapped around the teeth similar to dental crowns to improve the shape, colour and position of teeth. The patients bite was opened to lengthen the teeth, improve the bite and also 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 choice of treatment will be guided by the condition of your teeth, your budget, the time available and the problem you wish 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 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 the appearance of your new smile will be like.
If you decide to go ahead with treatment, we take 3D scans of your teeth and send them with the 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 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 millimeter thick.
Once the temporary Veneers are applied, you will have the opportunity to 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 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 fitting.
You will not be getting turkey teeth where your teeth are completely drilled down. Instead you will get minimal surface preparation, custom designed Veneers to fix the shape, colour and position of your teeth to the exact design that you’ve chosen
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.
