Because they are very thin and are held in place by a special strong bond (rather like super-glue), very little preparation of the tooth is necessary.
Veneers can improve the colour, shape and position of teeth. A precise shade of porcelain can be chosen to lighten all of the front teeth and improve a single discoloured or stained tooth.
A veneer can make a chipped tooth look intact again – the porcelain covers the whole front of the tooth with a thicker section, replacing the broken part. Veneers can also be used to close gaps. If a tooth is slightly out of position, a veneer can sometimes be fitted to bring it into line with the others.
Natural-coloured filling material can be used for minor repairs or reshaping of front teeth. This type of restoration is excellent, where the tooth supports the filling. When there is a requirement for full coverage of the face of the tooth, a ceramic restoration will give better long-term results as it won’t stain with time.
Crowns are used for teeth which need to be strengthened – either because they have broken, have been weakened by a very large filling, or have had root canal treatment.
The amount of tooth to be prepared depends on the position of your natural tooth and the desired veneer. Your dentist will discuss this with you in detail at your consultation. If you have been provided with a trial smile mock-up of the veneers, we use this as a guide to remove only the absolutely necessary amount of tooth. If your teeth are in a good position, then only a minimal amount of tooth is required to be removed as veneers can be made extremely thin.
A local anaesthetic may be used to ensure there is no discomfort throughout your treatment. Once the teeth have been prepared, we use 3D digital scanning technology to create a 3D image of your teeth. This is then sent to our ceramicist technician, who will create your veneers. Pictures of your teeth and face are often used to create a natural bespoke result, which will have been discussed with you previously. We will also use a shade guide to determine the correct colour for you.
A veneer takes at least two visits, the first to prepare the tooth and to match the shade, and the second to fit it. Before bonding it in place, we will show you the veneer on your tooth to make sure you are happy with it. Bonding a veneer in place is done with a special adhesive, which holds it firmly on the tooth.
If you are having a complete smile makeover, you will have received a trial smile where you have tested out your new look. In this instant, you will be provided temporary veneers using the model of teeth you have pre-approved. This allows you to walk away that day with a new smile.
If you have only one veneer or replacement veneer, we will always provide you with a temporary replacement veneer so that your tooth is not sensitive between visits and looks natural.
