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Veneers

Veneers titlebg ico veneer

Veneers have long been the method of choice for transforming the smiles of celebrities. However, in recent times, more patients than ever have also sought out the treatment as a way of combating dissatisfaction with their teeth shape, alignment or colour.

Veneers are fast becoming one of the most popular cosmetic treatments, as they have the power to change any aspect of your smile that you are unhappy with.

What are veneers?

Veneers are a thin piece of tooth-like material such as porcelain that is bonded to your teeth. They are designed to change the shape, contour or colour of each tooth.

Some patients get a couple of veneers to fix minor issues such as a broken tooth. However, it’s also possible to get a full set of veneers that will completely transform your smile.

Do you need veneers?

The decision of whether or not veneers are right for you should be between yourself and your dentist. In some cases, there are other treatments that may solve the issue you are experiencing with your teeth.

Equally, it can sometimes be the case that other dental treatments would not offer as good an outcome as veneers.

Composite Veneers
Composite veneers require a minimal amount of preparation and in some cases no preparation at all. Composite veneers are applied as individual layers over the tooth to give it the desired shape. The layers are cured under a light to set them before being polished.

As the most affordable type of veneer, they are ideal for quick fixes to the tooth. Composite veneers may need replacement or repolishing over time. They last between 3-5 years on average.

Laminate Veneers
Laminate veneers are similar to porcelain veneers and get their name from the fact the natural tooth does not need to be altered. The only point to consider is that by not preparing the teeth, the laminate may feel bulky on top of the tooth.

However, this will vary from patient to patient, as some patients may have a reduced tooth size due to generics, trauma, etc hence would not be affected by this issue. So, we will always carefully advise you so that you get the best outcome for your smile.

Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are the most common variety and require slightly more tooth preparation as explained above (i.e taking as little as the tooth surface away as possible). The veneers resemble tooth-like shells that are placed over the prepared teeth and are then bonded into place.

So long as the veneers have been prepared and applied correctly, patients can enjoy a longer lifespan of around 10-15 years. Another benefit of porcelain veneers is their incredibly natural appearance, which can of course be adapted to look more cosmetic depending on your preference.

Reasons to get Veneers

Some of the most common reasons why a patient would get veneers includes:

  • Misaligned teeth
  • Stained teeth (where whitening attempts have failed)
  • Cracked teeth
  • Broken teeth
  • Decayed teeth
  • Worn down teeth
  • Gaps between teeth
  • To prevent future teeth staining
  • To achieve a complete smile makeover

FAQs

What Does The Process Of Getting Veneers Involve?
As with any dental treatment we carry out, getting veneers begins with a thorough consultation. This is your chance to tell us exactly what you don’t like about your current smile, and what you’d like to achieve with veneers. We will then look to see what improvements can be made based on our findings.

Your teeth will then be prepared so that they can accept the veneers. Preparing the teeth involves shaving down the surface of the tooth so that the veneer is able to snugly fit over the top feeling as natural as possible. Contrary to popular belief, only a minimum amount of the tooth is removed, especially if the natural tooth is healthy. The benefits of only removing a small amount of the tooth are that this also increases the strength of the bond that holds the veneer in place.

After your teeth have been prepared impressions will be taken and these will be sent to a lab. The lab will first make a wax model of your veneers to make sure you are happy with the shape and length of them. You will be fitted with temporary veneers while you wait for your veneers to be made.

Once ready, you’ll return to have your final veneers fitted. The process is very straightforward, and simply involves applying a bonding agent to the surface of the tooth, placing each veneer in position until the treatment is completed.

Are Veneers Permanent?
Veneers that are not composite can last anywhere from 10-20 years depending on how well they were applied by your dentist. As mentioned, longevity is the reason why it’s important to remove as little as the tooth surface as possible.

The longevity of your veneers also depends on your overall dental hygiene. You will still need to brush your teeth, avoid sugary foods and visit your dentist for regular checkups as normal.

We’d also recommend not chewing pens or your nails, as such habits can lift the veneer off the tooth.

How much do veneers cost?
Factors that affect the cost of veneers include how many veneers you are having placed and the material you opt for. Also, whether the veneers are made in the dental surgery or by a specialist lab.
Will My Veneers Look Natural?
It is a common myth that veneers can only give you the ‘Hollywood smile’ effect. In reality, every patient is completely different with regards to the outcome they desire for their veneers.

During the consultation, you will be able to talk about the style of finish you would like to achieve, whether this is a natural look or something more cosmetic.

The planning will take into consideration the shape of the teeth and the colour so you get exactly what you had in mind. Hence, getting veneers is a very thorough process.

Can I get veneers on the NHS?
It is extremely rare for veneers to be offered on the NHS as they are deemed a cosmetic procedure.

However, if you are an NHS patient and you are having issues with your teeth, there may be another solution we can offer you such as a filling, crown or bridge.

Please book an appointment with us to discuss any alternative treatments based on your specific circumstances.

Veneers
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