For the ultimate smile makeover, many dentists recommend dental veneers for their ability to transform crooked, stained, damaged or badly worn teeth into a straight white smile. Often called a Hollywood Smile, due to the fact that veneers have almost become a prerequisite of making it as an actor or actress nowadays.
Veneers are wafer-thin laminates of tooth-coloured material (which can be either porcelain, ceramic or composite bonding material) which are cemented to the front surface of the teeth, in the way that false nails are applied.
Porcelain is the strongest, most natural-looking material for veneers and they don’t stain. Composite veneers are more prone to staining and won’t last as long. Although they are cheaper than porcelain veneers they might need to be replaced.
Veneers: Am I suitable?
Veneers are suitable for the following:
Stained teeth; those whose teeth are badly stained and haven’t responded to teeth whitening. Certain medications can affect the colour of the teeth and they won’t respond to teeth whitening.
Damaged teeth; if you’ve got just one or a couple of teeth that are damaged then a cosmetic dentist can match single veneers to the shape and colour of the rest of your teeth.
Crooked teeth; although crooked teeth should be corrected with braces – either invisible or fixed – this can be a lengthy procedure and veneers can provide an instant solution.
You may not be suitable for veneers if you have weak, unhealthy teeth, you don’t have enough tooth enamel or you grind your teeth.
Veneers: What do I have to do to prepare?
Before your veneers are designed, your dentist needs to prepare your teeth. The teeth and gums are numbed with a local anaesthetic and then, using a special file called a burr, the dentist shaves off the front surface of the tooth. What’s the treatment like? A mould is taken of your teeth and then sent to the dental laboratory which will fabricate your new veneers. This usually takes between one and three weeks, although some veneers can be produced in your dental surgery. While you’re waiting, your dentist may fit some temporary veneers. At your next appointment, your dentist will fit your veneers (you may be given the opportunity for the veneers to be trimmed or adjusted). When they are finally fitted, the teeth are thoroughly cleaned and then the veneers are cemented into place and bonded.
Veneers: What about after?
Porcelain veneers can last up to ten years, but composite veneers last a few years at most. Whichever option you go for, there will be the need for more dental work in the future. A good oral hygiene programme will help with maintaining your veneers.
Veneers: Are there any risks or side effects?
You may have crooked teeth but it doesn’t mean they are unhealthy. This treatment involves potentially healthy teeth being shaved down prior to the veneers being fitted. One option to consider is Lumineers or Durathin veneers. These are porcelain veneers that are extremely thin (about the thickness of a contact lens) and very strong, so the tooth surface does not need to be shaved at all.
Veneers: What will it cost me?
Depending on which veneer product is used, they can cost anything from £300 to £1,500 per tooth.
