What is a Dental veneer?

A veneer is a thin layer of porcelain made to fit over the front surface of a tooth.

Why would I want a porcelain veneer?

Porcelain veneers can improve the appearance of people’s teeth with only a tiny amount of preparation. As the porcelain covers the front surface of the tooth it can be used to improve the shape and the colour of one, or many teeth.

Veneers help restore confidence, dignity, vitality and quality of life for people who are dissatisfied with the appearance of their teeth.

How are teeth prepared for porcelain veneers?

In order to make sure that the ceramic can be placed onto the tooth as accurately as possible, we sometimes make a minimal preparation. This involves removing a small amount of the enamel on the front of the tooth. However this ensures that there is a fantastic fit and that the gums and teeth stay healthy for many years to come. Some techniques such as lumineers can also be used if appropriate.

Do dental veneers it hurt?

In many cases the treatment requires little or no anaesthetic as the preparation is only very superficial. Having comfortable treatment is a big priority.

What are the advantages of veneers?

With very little preparation of the tooth, veneers can make teeth look very beautiful indeed.

How long does it take?

A veneer usually takes two visits. The first visit is to prepare the tooth and make some moulds and the second visit to fit it. Bonding the veneer in place is done with special dental adhesives which glue it permanently to the tooth.

Will I need a temporary veneer between visits?

Most often temporary veneers are not required as preparation of the tooth does not make it look very different.

What are the alternatives to porcelain veneers?

If you have natural teeth that are nicely aligned then tooth whitening may be a better option. This allows the natural teeth to be whitened but will not change their shape. For some teeth that are very heavily filled or broken down a crown may be a better solution as this covers the entire tooth and will be a stronger solution. There are many porcelain crowns available that look beautiful, such as Procera, Empress, Zirconium etc.

How long will a veneer last?

Veneers should last for many years but like teeth they are working in a harsh environment and can chip or break. However with a sufficient amount of care they should last for many years.

Here is our smile gallery of a few before and after dental veneer cases

Before Dental Veneers	After Dental Veneers

And finally another lady who is now very happy with her dental veneers and her confident new smile.