If you’re lacking confidence with your smile, dental veneers may help. Veneers are custom-made facings that can be designed to change a number of aspects of your tooth/teeth from colour, shape, length and width to the entire smile line veneers are bonded to the front surface of the tooth to give your existing teeth a brighter, more beautiful appearance.
People get veneers for a number of reasons, including:
- To fix crooked teeth
- To hide poorly shaped teeth
- To cover gaps in between teeth
- To whitening discoloured teeth
- To fix a chip or crack in teeth
Our team at Aesthetic Dental and Denture Clinic have many years of experience in cosmetic dentistry.
There are two main types of veneers: composite and porcelain.
Composite resin veneers are applied one layer at a time, with each layer shaped and cured by the dentist. Composite resin veneers are affordable, relatively easy to repair and you can have a number of veneers applied in one appointment.
Porcelain veneers are custom made in our laboratory and are cemented to your tooth’s surface. They are longer-lasting than composite, don’t change colour, and keep your teeth looking natural.
Deciding which one is right for you will depend on your own personal preferences, the desired smile design you are looking for and your suitability for each option.
The procedure for dental veneers is simple as there is no major surgery. To start with, book an appointment with a dentist at Aesthetic Dental and Denture Clinic who will be able to work with you to discuss the results you’re after and your options. During this consultation, we may need to take an x-ray, photographs, intra-oral scan and/or mouth impressions.
For the next step of porcelain veneers, our experienced dentists will prepare your teeth, then take an impression. This impression is then taken to our onsite laboratory where our technicians and ceramist will construct the porcelain to your desired design, this takes about 1-2 weeks.
Once the porcelain is constructed to the desired shape and colour we’ll ask you to come back for the final part of the process. Here, we apply a special bonding agent to the veneer and join it onto your existing tooth. We then use a specialised curing light to activate the bonding agent, causing it to harden and set.
Caring for your veneers is simple – treat them as you treat your natural teeth. Brush them twice a day, floss regularly and visit the dentist every 6 months as usual for a hygiene appointment. The more you take care of them, the longer they will last.
Veneers are cosmetic, which means most people can get, however a dental assessment is required first to discuss if veneers are suitable for your individual needs and/or desired outcome. Your teeth need to be in a healthy condition free from any holes or cavities so the veneers can be attached to them. If you grind your teeth, you may need to consider wearing a splint at night to protect veneers from chipping or breaking.
There are many benefits to veneers, including:
- They look natural in appearance
- The gums typically tolerate them well
- They are stain resistant (in porcelain), so you’ll have white teeth for longer
- They require less work than crowns
- They can be coloured to make teeth look whiter
- They are tooth coloured and reflect light in the same way as your natural teeth
- The procedure is minimally invasive
- Easy to care for
- Good option for patients with enamel loss
Remember, veneers are an investment that could last many years, so be sure you’ve considered all of the above before making a choice. The process is simple, and you could have a new smile within weeks!
By choosing the right dentist, you’ll have more chance for successful, long-lasting veneers that look amazing and boost your confidence.
If you want to enhance your smile with veneers , get in touch with our team today and we’ll be more than happy to discuss your options and provide a quote. Aesthetic Dental and Denture Clinic also provides payment plan options, so be sure to mention this when we chat.