If you are unhappy with the shape, size, position or overall appearance of your teeth, veneers could be the perfect cosmetic solution for you. Made from tooth-coloured porcelain, veneers are bonded to the front surface of your teeth to enhance your smile, mask discolouration and help to protect an affected tooth from further damage.
Porcelain veneers are a strong and highly aesthetic way to transform a single tooth or enhance a whole arch of teeth. They are a relatively fast cosmetic treatment, as your new smile will be revealed in just a couple of appointments, boosting your confidence. Veneers offer a minimally invasive solution, as modern materials create thin veneers that only require a small amount of tooth enamel to be removed for fitting, if any.
Veneers can be used to:
We’ll first need to see you for a consultation so we can make sure your teeth and gums are perfectly healthy. We then take digital impressions so we can create models of your teeth. These models are used to create a ‘mock-up’ and show you a preview of how veneers will transform the appearance of your teeth.
Once you’re happy with the look that we’ve come up with together, we will prepare your teeth if you need to have a layer of enamel removed. We’ll provide temporary veneers to keep your teeth protected.
Your veneers are crafted at the dental laboratory using the models of your teeth. When we receive your veneers, we’ll see you again for your fitting. We make sure the look is exactly what you expected before we fix the veneers using a dental adhesive.
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.
In many cases, fitting porcelain veneers requires some of your natural tooth enamel to be removed. Therefore, they are an irreversible treatment, designed to be kept on your teeth permanently. Your veneers themselves can last up to 15 years before needing to be replaced, depending on how well you look after them.
You shouldn’t find either the treatment for veneers or the veneers themselves painful. We use a local anaesthetic to minimise your discomfort during the preparation and fitting process and ensure you are relaxed and ready before beginning any treatment. Most patients experience no pain or discomfort at all. You may feel some sensitivity once your veneers have been fitted, but this will go away after a few days.
Dental veneers are extremely thin but once bonded to the tooth are unbelievably strong. Porcelain veneers look absolutely amazing when in place, and can totally transform your look.
Whether you’re a new or existing patient, our warm and friendly team would love to hear from you, answer questions & give advice.
