Porcelain veneers are a quick, simple and incredibly effective way to enhance the appearance of chipped, broken, misaligned and worn teeth.
Made from wafer-thin pieces of porcelain, each and every veneer is custom-made to provide a strong, stain-resistant and naturally looking appearance to the affected tooth. They are permanently bonded to your teeth for a stunning look and feel and can be applied to single or multiple teeth to add a uniform shape, colour and symmetry to your smile.
With the CEREC system, we can custom make your new veneers in a single setting and have you out the door in one day with a whiter and brighter smile. Your dentist can answer all your questions about whether CEREC is right for you.
Before I got veneers my smile was uneven and my teeth were different shades. Now they’re all the same colour and my smile looks perfect!
A veneer is a thin layer of porcelain made to fit over the front surface of a tooth, like a false fingernail fits over a nail. Sometimes a natural colour ‘composite’ material is used instead of porcelain.
Veneers make teeth look natural and healthy, and because they are very thin and are held in place by a special strong bond (rather like super-glue) very little preparation of the tooth is needed.
Almost anyone can have veneers applied to their teeth. Of course there are always exceptions. If your dentist finds any uncontrolled decay, underlying gum disease, acid erosion or if you have a destructive tooth grinding habit, veneers may not be the best option for you. Your dentist, however, will take the time to discuss all the options available to you.
A natural-coloured filling material can be used for minor repairs to front teeth. This is excellent where the tooth supports the filling, but may not work so well for broken tooth corners. There will always be a join between the tooth and the filling material.
Crowns are used for teeth that need to be strengthened – either because they have broken, have been weakened by a very large filling, or have had root canal treatment.
When veneers are properly and professionally put in place you can expect them to last many, many years- especially if a good hygiene plan is put into place and followed regularly.
However, as with any tooth restoration procedure, if the veneer is neglected or you consume large amounts of fizzy drinks, sweets or other sources of sugar, there is a chance that the tooth might decay and the veneer will need to be replaced.
Some of the shiny outer enamel surface of the tooth may be removed, to make sure that the veneer can be bonded permanently in place later. The amount of enamel removed is tiny and will be the same as the thickness of the veneer to be fitted, so that the tooth stays the same size. A local anaesthetic (injection) may be used to make sure that there is no discomfort, but often this is not necessary. Once the tooth has been prepared, the dentist will take an ‘impression’. This will be given to the dental technician, along with any other information needed to make the veneer. The colour of the surrounding teeth is matched on a shade guide to make sure that the veneer will look entirely natural.
A veneer takes at least two visits; the first to prepare the tooth and to match the shade, and the second to fit it. Before bonding it in place, your dentist will show you the veneer on your tooth to make sure you are happy with it. Bonding a veneer in place is done with a special adhesive, which holds it firmly on the tooth.
Because the preparation of the tooth is so slight you will probably not need a temporary veneer. The tooth will look very much the same after preparation, but will feel slightly less smooth.
Only minor adjustments can be made to the veneer after it is fitted. It is usually best to wait a little while to get used to it before any changes are made. Your dentist will probably want to check and polish it a week or so after it is fitted, and to make sure that you are happy with it.
Gentle Dental & Implant Clinic
14 Church Street
Warrenpoint
Co. Down
BT34 3HN
Telephone
NI: 028 4175 2220
RoI: 048 4175 2220
Email
info@gentledentalclinic.com
