If you wish to change how your smile looks, veneers offer a complete transformation. Made from tooth-like porcelain, veneers work by fitting over the front of teeth like a thin shell. They can be used to cover up unsightly teeth, whether damaged with chips or cracks or discolouration. Veneers can also be used to close gaps in your smile, especially gaps between your two front teeth. We can use your veneers to great effect, redesigning your smile. Whatever finish you choose, we can deliver.
Why have veneers?
Veneers offer a less invasive cover up than crowns as only a small amount, if any, of the tooth needs to be removed to accommodate the veneer. As veneers completely cover the front of the tooth and alter their appearance, they are incredibly versatile in their finish. They can correct a number of flaws and enhance your smile.
How are veneers made and fitted?
- We first carry out a dental examination to determine that your teeth, while needing to be improved, are still in good enough shape.
- If necessary, we’ll remove a thin layer of enamel from the surface of the tooth to accommodate the veneer.
- We take impressions of your mouth so we can create accurate models of your teeth.
- These models are sent to a laboratory where your veneers are hand-crafted by expert technicians.
- We provide temporary veneers to protect any treated teeth between appointments.
- We receive the veneers back and see you for the fitting. We check the fit first and if you’re happy with your new smile, we use dental adhesive to fit them in place.
- When ready, the veneer is bonded to the tooth using a strong dental adhesive.
Looking after your veneers
After fitting, it is important to keep your veneer well-maintained with regular brushing and flossing. Your dentist and hygienist will show you how to keep on top of your dental hygiene and keep a close eye on the health of your teeth and gums. Although veneers are resilient, it is important to treat them with care, so try not to bite your fingernails or chew pen tops, or use your teeth to open anything. Also, it is probably best to steer clear of very hard foods that could cause damage to the veneer.
Frequently Asked Question
You should look after your veneers in the same way that you look after your natural teeth. Make sure you brush and floss twice a day, keeping the natural tooth underneath healthy and strong. You also need to treat them with care to avoid accidental damage. Try not to use your teeth to open anything, chew pen lids or bite your nails. Also, we recommend you take care with very hard foods, and avoid biting directly into these. Your dentist will be able to keep an eye on your veneers at your regular check up appointments.
Porcelain veneers are a permanent treatment, as the removal of tooth enamel makes it a non-reversible process. The veneers themselves have the potential to last a long time if looked after properly, but will need to be replaced over time due to natural wear and tear, damage or chips.
As composite veneers are built onto your tooth without needing to remove any natural structure, they are reversible. If you decide you no longer want them on your teeth, they can be removed without affecting your natural tooth.
We use local anaesthetic to ensure you experience minimal discomfort during treatment, particularly if we are removing a layer of tooth enamel. We make sure you are feeling comfortable before we begin. After treatment, you may feel some sensitivity, but this is temporary and will fade.
To transform your smile, you may also consider teeth whitening, crowns or composite bonding treatment. We are happy to discuss any of our cosmetic dental treatments with you to help you make an informed decision about the best option for you. Simply get in touch to find out more.
Veneers are a very aesthetic treatment, designed to beautifully transform your smile. Other people will not be able to tell you have veneers fitted, as they are incredibly thin and natural looking. If you just have one or two veneers, these are colour matched with your natural teeth so they blend seamlessly into your smile.