Ask the Experts
Dental Veneers
Veneers are very thin and durable materials made of porcelain or other similar materials. They are attached to the front surface of the tooth to protect and hide any defects. Veneers are used to provide perfect symmetry with the rest of the teeth and are resistant to staining.
Veneers are designed specifically for each patient and made in specialised laboratories.
Types of Dental Veneers
Dental veneers can be made from porcelain or from resin composite materials. Porcelain veneers resist stains better than resin veneers. They also better mimic the light-reflecting properties of natural teeth.
What is the procedure of fitting Veneers?
Step 1:
The dentist will prepare by grinding down a small layer from the front and sides of the teeth to leave enough space for the veneers to be attached. The dentist will then take impressions of the teeth taking into consideration the aesthetic look that is required for a perfect smile. The impressions will be sent to a specialist laboratory that will make your personalised veneers. Temporary veneers can be used until the permanent ones come back from the laboratory.
Step 2:
When the designed veneers come back from the lab, the dentist will check how they fit from a functional aspect and the aesthetic look they provide.
If there is no adjustments to be made and the dentist and patient are happy, the veneers will be applied permanently to the teeth.
The lifespan of dental veneers depends on whether you have porcelain or composite veneers, and how well you care for them. Porcelain laminate veneers can last from 10-15 years. Composite resin veneers need to be replaced sooner, since they last for around 5-7 years.
No! Most patients report no pain or discomfort at all during treatment. This is because the procedure is minimally-invasive.
Veneers can be removed and leave the tooth somewhat intact depending on the skill of the dentist, but there should not be any reason to do this. If the consultation with your dentist was comprehensive and your veneers were high quality and properly fitted to begin with, they shouldn’t need to be removed anytime soon.