Dental veneers have long been used to create the ultimate smile makeover. With this treatment, it’s possible to transform crooked, stained, damaged or badly worn teeth into a brand new, straight, white smile. At Smile360 dental clinic, we often say that dental veneers are for your tooth while false nails are for your fingers. Well, we could tell you some more. Follow us let’s walk you through.

Dental veneers: what see they? 

Dental veneers are wafer-thin laminates or shells of tooth-coloured material (which can be either porcelain, ceramic or composite bonding material). They are “cemented” to the front (labial) surface of teeth to improve their cosmetic appearance.

What treatments or problems are veneers used for?

There are a wide variety of reasons why patients opt for treatment with dental veneers:

Stained teeth

Badly stained teeth that cannot be improved by teeth whitening or prophyflex treatments can be greatly improved by dental veneers, which function to cover any existing stains on your teeth.

Damaged teeth

Teeth that have become badly worn through excessive grinding or by carbonated drinks, as well as those that have been chipped or broken, can benefit from dental veneers. A small chip on a tooth can quickly be repaired with composite bonding, also knows as “composite veneers”. A single damaged tooth can easily be repaired with a porcelain veneer that has the same characteristics and colour as your natural teeth.

Gaps

Spaces or gaps (diastemas) between your teeth can easily be closed using dental veneers, giving you a more uniform-looking smile.

Crooked teeth

Dental veneers are not the ideal treatment for crooked teeth, and from the point of view of preserving your natural teeth structure, orthodontics or Invisalign braces would probably be a better solution. However, such treatments can take up to a year or longer. For teeth that are not severely crooked, veneers placed over their front surface will give a straight and perfectly aligned-looking smile. For this type of treatment, many people refer to veneers as “instant orthodontics”, as you get a similar end result in a fraction of the time.

which are better: composite veneers or porcelain veneers?

The most popular type of veneers is porcelain, which offers a stronger and more durable alternative to its composite counterpart. Composite veneers are also more prone to staining and do not last as long as porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers also offer a more natural looking, translucent appearance. Composite veneers are much cheaper than porcelain veneers in general, but considering that they do not last as long and need replacing more often, they could end up costing more in the long run. Composite work is ideal for small chips, as this treatment preserves more of your natural tooth structure.

How long do dental veneers last?

Porcelain veneers will typically last between five and ten years, while composite veneers last a year or two at most. The bottom line is that your veneers will eventually need to be replaced. Although veneers are strongly cemented into place, there have been cases where they come loose and fall off. In such situations, it is important that you keep hold of your veneer and contact us immediately. To make your veneers last longer, follow a good oral hygiene program and visit your us for check-ups on a regular basis.

What is the procedure of having dental veneers fitted?

1. The first part of any dental procedure is the initial consultation and examination, so that we can get a feel for what you want and understand your needs and concerns. We will explain the treatment procedure to you and give you an accurate guide to the likely costs of your treatment.
2. Before your dental veneers are designed, we will need to reshape and prepare the front surfaces of your teeth so that they can accommodate the veneers. The first stage is to numb the teeth and gums with a local anaesthetic so that you do not feel anything during the procedure.
3. Using a special tool called a bur (a dental drill or file), a tiny part of the front surface of your teeth will be shaved off. The amount removed should be equivalent to the thickness of the veneer that will sit over the top of the tooth.
4. Next, an impression or mould (copy) of your teeth is taken. A special dental “putty” is placed into your mouth on a tray and pushed into your teeth so that it takes an imprint of your teeth.
5. This “impression” or mould of your teeth is then sent to a dental laboratory. The laboratory uses the impression to cast an accurate model of your teeth, which is used as a guide to fabricate your new veneers. This process can take between one and three weeks.
6. While you’re waiting for your veneers to be fabricated, we will fit temporary veneers to protect your prepared teeth. Not all dentists will offer temporary veneers.
7. During your next appointment, we will fit your new veneers to your teeth. First, we may just sit the veneers over your teeth to see how they look with your smile, as we may need to trim or adjust the veneer.
8. Next, your teeth will be thoroughly cleaned and the front surfaces etched (roughened) with a special gel so that they provide a good surface for the dental cement to stick to.
9. The veneers are then cemented into place, and a special curing light is used to activate the dental cement so that it permanently bonds the veneer to the front surface of your prepared tooth. If there is any excess cement, it is usually trimmed away and polished to leave a beautiful and natural-looking restoration.