Your path to a perfectly polished smile
Dental veneers are ultra-thin, custom-made shells designed to enhance the appearance of your teeth. These porcelain or composite resin coverings are expertly crafted to fit over the front surface of your teeth, concealing imperfections like discoloration, chipping, or misalignment.
What are the benefits of dental veneers?
Veneers only need a few appointments for us to get your new smile underway. Other benefits include: –
- Natural-looking results: Made from high-quality porcelain or resin, veneers mimic the translucency and texture of natural teeth, blending seamlessly for a realistic appearance.
- Stain resistance: Unlike natural enamel, veneers are highly resistant to staining from coffee, wine, and other common culprits, keeping your smile bright for longer.
- Durability and strength: Veneers are surprisingly strong and can last for 10-15 years with proper care, effectively protecting and reinforcing damaged teeth.
- Confidence boost: Veneers can dramatically improve your self-esteem by giving you a smile you’re proud to show off, enhancing your social and professional interactions.
- Minimally invasive procedure: While some enamel removal might be necessary, the process is generally conservative and well-tolerated compared to other cosmetic dentistry options.
- Low maintenance: Caring for veneers is similar to natural teeth – simply brush twice daily, floss regularly, and maintain regular dental checkups.
What is involved in having veneers?
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 impressions so we can create models of your teeth. These models are used for a ‘wax-up’ where we show you a preview of how veneers can 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 ensure the look is exactly what you expected before we fix the veneers using a dental adhesive.
Looking after your dental veneers
After fitting, it is important to keep your veneer well-maintained with regular brushing and flossing. We 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, 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.
It is often necessary to create a mock-up that we can put on your teeth to show you what can be achieved before going ahead. We may need a period where temporary veneers are cemented to make sure that our design is going to work.
Veneers provide a quick and effective solution for achieving a radiant, flawless smile. Whether you’re looking to correct minor dental issues or completely transform your teeth, veneers offer a durable, natural-looking, and long-lasting solution that can boost your confidence and leave you grinning with pride.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- How do I look after my 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.
- How many veneers are in a full set?
- There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer for a full set of veneers. It depends on your individual smile and desired outcome. Here’s a breakdown: Typical Range: 8-16 veneers. This focuses on the upper front teeth most visible when smiling. More Extensive Coverage: Up to 20 veneers can be used for a complete smile makeover, including some lower teeth. Minimal Veneers: You might only need 1-2 veneers to address specific cosmetic concerns. A consultation with us will determine the optimal number of veneers for your unique smile.
- What happens to teeth under veneers?
- To place veneers, a small amount of enamel is removed from the front surface of the teeth. This is generally a minimal amount and shouldn’t affect tooth health if done correctly. However, the underlying tooth becomes permanently altered and requires the veneer for protection.
- How long does a full mouth of veneers take?
The timeframe for a full mouth of veneers can vary depending on the complexity of the case Here’s a general idea:
- Minimal Veneers (1-2): Potentially achievable in one appointment with same-day technology (depending on suitability).
- Standard Veneers (8-16): Usually takes 2-3 appointments spread over a few weeks, including preparation, temporary veneers, and final placement.
- Extensive Veneers (Up to 20): May require additional appointments for planning and customisation, potentially taking 4-6 weeks.
It’s best to discuss the specific timeline with us based on your individual situation.
- Can dental veneers be done in one day?
Traditionally, veneers require multiple appointments. Here’s the process:
- Consultation & planning: Discussing your goals and creating a treatment plan.
- Tooth preparation: Removing a thin layer of enamel from the front surface of the teeth receiving veneers.
- Temporary veneers: Placement of temporary veneers while the permanent ones are crafted in a lab.
- Veneer bonding: Permanent veneers are bonded to your teeth with a strong dental adhesive.
- Can veneers break?
- Although veneers are resilient, it is important to treat them with care. Don’t use your teeth to open anything and avoid biting fingernails and pen lids etc. Also, it is probably best to steer clear of hard or particularly sticky foods that could cause damage to the veneer.
- Are veneers permanent?
- 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.
- Are veneers painful?
- 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.