Veneers are slim, natural-coloured shells that cover the signs of damage or discolouration on teeth. They help improve the function and appearance of teeth and last for many years.
Your dentist will fit veneers which match the natural colour of your teeth. A single veneer can be fitted if a tooth is chipped or stained or several can be used to cover irregularly shaped teeth. The number of veneers you have depends upon the extent of your condition and individual requirements.
There are two types of veneers:
- MAC veneers
- Da Vinci veneers
An alternative to these are lumineers: super slim shells which look very similar to veneers but are lighter and thinner.
REASONS FOR VENEERS
Veneers are one of several options for improving the appearance of your smile. They form an important part of a smile makeover and are fabricated from porcelain or ceramic which is tough yet flexible.
A veneer is attached to the front of a tooth and then cemented in place. Its shelf life, which depends on the material used to fabricate it, is 5 to 10 years. Veneers need to be cleaned and cared for in the same way as natural teeth.
VENEERS PROCEDURE
A single tooth or several teeth are ‘prepared’ beforehand. The dentist roughens the surface of tooth (or teeth) before reshaping it with a drill. This ensures that the tooth is in optimum condition, ready to receive the veneer.
An impression is taken of the tooth (or teeth) with a mould filled with dental putty. This is then used to fabricate the veneers.
You may be fitted with temporary veneers while waiting for the permanent veneers to be manufactured.
Once they are ready, you are asked to return to the practice or clinic, where you are fitted with the permanent veneers. The dentist will clean and polish your natural teeth before etching them with acid so that they provide a textured surface for the cement to attach to.
The dentist secures them with dental cement before using a special ‘curing light’ to harden this, firmly bonding the veneers in place. A final polish follows this.