Improve your smile with Dental Veneers
A beautiful smile feels great and can increase both your confidence and well-being. Dental veneers are a popular treatment to transform a beautiful smile, perfect for people with teeth that are stained, chipped or have gaps.
However, just like many other cosmetic procedures, dental veneers are an irreversible treatment – so making an appointment to have this procedure is a big decision. Before you and your dentist decide the procedure is right for you, it’s important to have the right information about veneers, their cost and how best to care for them.
What are dental veneers?
Veneers are thin, custom-made shells crafted of tooth-coloured materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth. They are custom-made to the contour of your teeth, and are bonded to the tooth’s original enamel during a series of in-clinic procedures.
Why choose veneers?
Veneers can be used to correct a range of dental issues and are a popular choice as they look like natural teeth. They are an option for correcting stained, chipped, misaligned, unevenly spaced, irregularly shaped or crooked teeth.
When would I choose a dental veneer?
If you are feeling self conscious about your smile due to one of the following, then you may want to consider dental veneers.
- Chipped or worn teeth
- Crooked or mishapen teeth
- Uneven or large gaps between teeth
Veneers instead of Crowns or Braces?
Because of the less intrusive nature of veneers, they are often chosen over crowns or braces. Unlike a crown, which cover the entire tooth surface, a veneer is a thin covering placed over the front, visible part of the tooth only.
The British Dental Health Foundation explains that veneers can be used to close small gaps or correct small misalignments when braces wouldn’t be suitable. Patients also choose veneers as a comestic solution to enhance the brightness of their teeth and to straighten their smile, correcting issues like discoloration, fractures, or chips.
How long do dental veneers last?
Veneers should last for many years; but they can chip or break, just like your own teeth can. Dr Carolyn will be able to tell you how long each veneer should last. Small chips can be repaired, or a new veneer fitted if necessary.
What should I expect during a dental veneers procedure?
At your initial consultation, your Dr Carolyn Langrell-Read will discuss your needs and evaluate whether veneers will help you achieve the result you want.
- To prepare a tooth for a veneer, Carolyn will remove about ½-1 mm of enamel from the tooth surface, which is an amount nearly equal to the thickness of the veneer to be added to the tooth surface.
- Next, Carolyn will make a model or impression of your tooth. This model is used to construct your veneer. It usually takes 2-4 weeks for your dentist to receive the veneers back from the laboratory.
- Before the dental veneer is permanently cemented to your tooth, Carolyn will temporarily place it on your tooth to examine its fit and colour. The veneer may need minor adjustments at this stage to achieve the proper fit.
- Next, to prepare your tooth to receive the veneer, your tooth will be cleaned, polished, and etched — which roughens the tooth to allow for a strong bonding process.
- A special cement is applied to the veneer and the veneer is then placed on your tooth. Once properly position on the tooth, your dentist will apply a special light beam to the dental veneer, which activates chemicals in the adhesive, causing it to harden or cure very quickly.
- The final steps involve removing any excess cement, evaluating your bite and making any final adjustments in the veneer as necessary.
You can continue brushing and flossing just as you would with your regular teeth. You may want to consider limiting coffee and other stain-inducing foods for longevity of the veneer’s colouring.
Keep in mind that veneers will need to be replaced at some point, no matter how well you take care of them. But proper oral hygiene will help them last as long as possible.
If you’re thinking about veneers to improve your smile, make a booking to consult with Dr Carolyn Langrell-Read. Here at Newmarket Family Dental Care, we will discuss the procedure with you and ensure you understand every part of the process and cost prior to commencing.