What are dental veneers?

Dental veneers are thin shells attached to a tooth’s front to improve its appearance. They are usually made of porcelain, the most aesthetic dental material. Porcelain has the same optical properties as natural enamel, so any restoration made of this material (veneers or dental crowns) will have outstanding aesthetic results. These veneers are strongly bonded to natural enamel.

Besides their natural appearance, one of the essential characteristics of porcelain veneers is that they are stain-resistant, which ensures that veneers will look like the very first day as long as they last.

When are dental veneers recommended?

This cosmetic solution is a suitable alternative for those patients who want to hide common dental imperfections, including: 

• Fractures, cracks and chips
• Severe discolouration 
• Deep tooth stains
• Irregular size or shape
• Gaps between front teeth
• Mild teeth crowding

What to expect when getting dental veneers

This cosmetic treatment usually requires two clinical sessions, in which you can expect the following steps:

• Consultation: in this first visit, you will talk to the dentist about your expectations. After examining your smile and analysing your X-rays, he will determine if your cosmetic issue can be addressed with dental veneers.
• 1st visit: once you have agreed on this option, treatment starts. The first step is to prepare the enamel on the teeth’ front surface. The amount of enamel removed will vary according to the imperfection you want to cover up: deep stains and misaligned teeth require more enamel reduction than other minor defects. This enamel will be later replaced with porcelain veneers. As soon as the dentist has reshaped your teeth, the dentist will take impressions and send them to the dental lab with a detailed description of the colour and shape of your new veneers.
• 2nd visit: After a few weeks, you will return to the clinic to have the porcelain veneers fitted. Before they are permanently bonded, you will have the chance to try them on to ensure that you are 100% happy with the results!

Am I a suitable candidate for porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers don’t have many contraindications. However, there are some cases in which the dentist might recommend other restorative or cosmetic treatment, including patients that grind or clench their teeth, with gums disease or severe misalignment, or that has lost a considerable amount of teeth structure. That’s why it is crucial for any patient interested in porcelain veneers to schedule a consultation to determine if this treatment is a viable alternative and if they can get the aesthetic results they are looking for.

Alternatives

Patients that for any reason cannot get porcelain veneers still have two other options to enhance their smile:

• Dental crowns are a better alternative in cases where the teeth have lost too much structure due to dental decay, root canal treatments, or extensive fractures. Unlike veneers, crowns cover the whole tooth, not only the front, so besides improving esthetics, they also strengthen the remaining structure of an already weak tooth.
• Composite bonding: this cosmetic procedure is less invasive than dental veneers, so it’s a perfect choice for patients who aren’t comfortable trimming back healthy teeth structure. Composite bonding is more affordable and straightforward than veneers, but the resins used for this procedure are not as natural and stain-resistant as porcelain.

How to care for my dental veneers

As in any other dental restoration, oral hygiene is the most critical aspect to ensure that your veneers last the longest. With appropriate maintenance and regular clinic visits for check-ups and professional cleanings, porcelain veneers can last up to 10 years. We only advise patients to be extra careful when flossing and avoid too hard, chewy or sticky foods and habits like biting their nails or chewing plastic objects that can damage the veneers.

Porcelain veneers can be the right choice if you want a dramatic enhancement of your smile. Please book an appointment with us.