Veneers

Dental veneers can transform the shape and colour of your front teeth, giving you a beautiful smile.

What are dental veneers?

A veneer is a micro-thin layer of porcelain or composite resin, custom-made to fit over the front surface of a tooth, in a similar way that a false fingernail fits over a nail. Veneers are designed to address aesthetic issues with the teeth such as small cracks, chips, and gaps and can also help cover up and transform dull, discoloured teeth.

What are the advantages of veneers?

Veneers can frequently be used to:

• Improve the colour of discoloured or stained teeth.
• Reshape chipped teeth.
• Close small gaps between teeth.
• Align crooked, uneven or out of position teeth.
• Enhance the appearance of discoloured fillings or previous repairs.

What does the treatment involve?

Having treatment for one or more veneers normally takes two visits to the practice.  Firstly, your dentist will prepare the tooth to be treated by removing some of the outer enamel, allowing space for the veneer to fit over the tooth surface. This procedure is generally done under a local anaesthetic to reduce discomfort.

Once the tooth has been prepared, your dentist will take a precise impression of your teeth.  Your dentist will carefully choose the colour of the veneer to match the shade of your adjacent teeth.  We will then make and fit temporary veneers to protect the tooth surface and reduce sensitivity in between visits.

When you come back to the practice for your second appointment, we will fit your custom-made new veneer. Then, once you are happy with it, your dentist will bond it into place with a special adhesive that permanently holds it firmly on the tooth.

How long does a veneer last?

With an effective dental and oral care routine at home, veneers are a potentially long-lasting treatment that should last for many years.  However, just like normal teeth, veneers can chip or break after an impact or biting on hard food. Fortunately, veneers can be repaired if damaged and eventually replaced, should their appearance change over time.