Dental Veneers
- What is a porcelain veneer restoration?
- When will I need a veneer?
- Why is porcelain the best material for a veneer?
- What steps are taken in having a veneer made?
- Is it painful to have a veneer made?
- How careful must I be with my new veneers?
- Why choose a veneer instead of a replacement crown?
- Can veneers make a big difference to my appearance?
1. What is a porcelain veneer restoration?
- A veneer is a thin facing of porcelain that is bonded to the front visible surface of a tooth.
- It is similar to a false fingernail.
- The appearance of a tooth can be dramatically improved by a veneer restoration.
- It can change the colour, shape and size of a tooth.
- Discoloured teeth can be permanently whitened with a veneer.
Porcelain veneer shell |
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2. When will I need a veneer?
- Porcelain veneers are ideal for front teeth if you have any of the following:
- Stained and discoloured teeth.
- Fillings that are large and noticeable.
- Chipped teeth.
- Spaces between the teeth.
- Slightly crooked teeth.
- Teeth that are too short, too long, or too wide.
Before |
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Prepared teeth on a cast |
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After |
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3. Why is porcelain the best material for a veneer?
- Porcelain has a translucency and lustre that cannot be equalled by any other material. It closely resembles the enamel of a tooth.
- Perfect colour matching to existing teeth is possible with a veneer.
- A porcelain veneer is a very strong and durable tooth restoration.
- Although a veneer is very thin, it becomes as strong as the enamel of the tooth. It is strengthened by being fused or bonded to the tooth.
- It cannot be stained and will not discolour.
- A porcelain veneer is very thin and as a result very little tooth material has to be trimmed away to accommodate it.
- A veneer can also be made of a plastic material, but this can not match the aesthetics and durability of porcelain. Temporary veneers are made of acrylic.
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4. What steps are taken in having a veneer made?
- The dentist trims down the front surface of the tooth, and takes an impression of the prepared tooth.
- The impression is sent to a dental technician who makes the porcelain veneer.
- As very little tooth material is removed in the process, a temporary veneer may not be necessary.
If the prepared tooth is particularly sensitive a temporary acrylic veneer will sometimes be needed. This is to protect the trimmed down tooth while the porcelain veneer is being made.
- Finally, the dentist will bond (cement) the attractive natural-looking porcelain veneer to the tooth.
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5. Is it painful to have a veneer made?
- It is not a painful procedure:
- A small amount of trimming of the tooth is needed for a veneer.
- This is not painful but the trimming at the gum margin may be sensitive.
- A local anaesthetic can make it a painless experience.
- There may be some sensitivity to hot and cold after the preparation and before the final fitting of the veneer.
- A temporary veneer may be fitted if the prepared tooth is particularly sensitive or additional repair work is needed.
- The temporary veneer will protect the tooth, and prevent sensitivity.
- Before the preparation of the veneer is started any decay must be removed, and the tooth repaired.
- After the veneer is fitted, the tooth may be sensitive for a few days. This will soon pass.
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6. How careful must I be with my new veneers?
- Veneers are very strong and durable and cannot be damaged easily.
- Eating will not be affected, but it is not advisable to bite or chew hard sweets or chicken bones with the veneered teeth.
- The bright lustre of a veneer can be preserved by using a non-abrasive toothpaste.
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7. Why choose a veneer instead of a replacement crown?
- Porcelain veneers and porcelain crowns are the most aesthetic of the cosmetic restorations.
- The main advantage of a veneer over a crown is in the preparation.
A veneer requires only a very thin layer of enamel to be trimmed from the front visible surface of a tooth. The time spent in the dental chair is much shorter as a result.
- A replacement crown requires the trimming of the whole tooth. A much larger quantity of tooth is lost in this preparation.
- It is possible and easier to keep the original shape and size of a natural tooth with a veneer. The procedure is as follows:
- An exact copy of the original tooth is made for the technician to work from.
- This is done by taking an impression of the natural tooth before the dentist begins the preparation.
- Every detail of the tooth is copied in this way.
- A veneer is less expensive than a crown, and makes cosmetic dentistry more affordable.
Preparation difference
Veneer on left
Crown in the middle |
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8. Can veneers make a big difference to my appearance?
- Veneers are able to transform the appearance of all the front teeth.
- Discoloured teeth are very successfully changed to look natural and appealing.
Upper teeth veneered
Lowers to be done |
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Upper veneers
Lower staining |
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