A veneer is a thin layer of tooth colored material which is placed over your natural tooth to mask the underlying enamel.
Veneers are designed to enhance the appearance of your teeth by –
- Masking permanently stained teeth.
- Closing Diastemas – spaces between your teeth.
- Straightening misaligned teeth.
- Improving the appearance of damaged or broken teeth due to decay or trauma.
The procedure is usually completed in two visits which is a simple and relatively quick route to improve your smile, the first part of the procedure involves the dentist removing a small amount of enamel from the front of your tooth and the second appointment the veneers are fitted into place.
Each veneer is individually handcrafted by our dental technician to correct the appearance of your teeth to create a healthy natural look.
The first part of the procedure will be a consultation appointment, this is when you can discuss with the dentist the concerns you have with your teeth and explain how you would like them improved.
Your dentist will have a ‘Diagnostic wax up’ made of your teeth to show how your teeth will look with veneers. This is a very simple procedure; the dentist will take impressions (mould) of your teeth and these will then be sent to the laboratory. Our technician will make a cast of your teeth using the supplied impressions (molds). Dental wax is then applied to the cast, to show how the final veneers will look.
If you decide that veneers are for you, two appointments are then needed. The first appointment is when the dentist prepares the teeth and then a second is to fit the veneers.
The Preparation appointment
- The dentist will give you a local anesthetic to numb the tooth and the surrounding gum.
- A small amount of tooth is removed from the front surface of your tooth to make room for the veneers. The dentist will do this using a fast hand drill.
- An impression (mould) is taken of your teeth using special dental “putty”. The putty is placed into an impression tray; they are both then inserted into your mouth and pushed onto your teeth in order to take an impression. Once the dental putty is set the impression will be removed. An impression is also taken of the opposing teeth, so the technician can see how you bite together.
- The dentist may fit temporary veneers to protect the teeth while your veneers are being fabricated.
- The impression (mould) of your teeth is sent to the Dental Laboratory where each veneer will be handcrafted to create your new smile. This process can take between two and three weeks.
The Fit Appointment
- Your temporary veneers will be removed and your teeth will be washed to remove any remaining cement.
- Your new veneers will be temporarily placed using a special paste which will allow the dentist to make any adjustments that are required and to make sure that you are happy with the appearance.
- The veneers will then be removed and the tooth surface prepared for the dental adhesive. The veneers will be permanently cemented in place to create the beautiful smile you have been waiting for.
Looking after your veneers
Veneers can last a long time but a lot depends on how you take care of them. You must maintain good oral hygiene brushing and flossing twice a day, also have 6 monthly examinations with your dentists.
Habits that damaged your natural teeth, like biting pens and pencils, opening bottle tops with your teeth and biting your nails will also damage your veneers.