Veneers

What are Veneers?

 

 

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A veneer is a thin layer of porcelain which is cemented onto the outside of a front tooth. They are used when someone is unhappy with the shape or colour of their front teeth. After other treatments such as bleaching or composite fillings have been attempted your dentist may advise you to get porcelain veneers.

The process is similar to the one to make a crown with two exceptions. It does not take as long, and only the outer surface of the tooth is prepared.

What are the disadvantages of a veneer?

Like porcelain crowns they are brittle and are more expensive than conventional fillings

 

What is the process for making a veneer?

Visit one- the preparation.

Usual time 30 to 45 minutes

Anaesthetic may or may not be applied.

The dentist will then shape the tooth for the veneer.

Impressions are then taken. An impression tray is loaded up with material and then placed in the mouth around the tooth until the material sets. This could take up to 5 minutes. It is very important that an accurate impression is taken and it can take several visits to achieve this.

When the dentist is happy a temporary veneer may be made which is placed  on the tooth.

Colour taking

This is one of the important stages in making a veneer. Often the dentist will ask you to go directly to the laboratory so they can decide what colour or colours should be used- you will be amazed at how many different colours of white there are and also how many different colours there are in a tooth!

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Visit two –the fitting.

Usual time 30 minutes

Anaesthetic may be applied.

The temporary veneer, if placed, is removed and veneer placed on the tooth.

You and the dentist will then decide if it acceptable to cement on.

• Is the appearance acceptable?

• Does it sit on the tooth correctly?

• Is the bite acceptable?

There are some minor adjustments which can be made at the chair side, however if you or the dentist are not happy then the veneer is not cemented. Instead the appropriate steps are taken which may require another impression being taken

Providing everyone is happy the veneer is then cemented on to the tooth