Veneers

What is a veneer?

A veneer is a thin layer of porcelain made to fit over the front surface of a tooth, it is sometimes a natural colour ‘composite' material is used instead of porcelain.

• Veneers can improve the colour, shape and position of your teeth. A precise shade of porcelain can be chosen to give the right colour to improve a single discoloured tooth or to lighten the front teeth.
• A veneer can make a chipped tooth look intact again. The porcelain covers the whole of the front of the tooth with a thicker section replacing the broken part.
• Veneers can also be used to close small gaps, when orthodontics (braces) are not suitable.

Procedure

Placing veneers is usually an irreversible process, because it's necessary to remove a small amount of enamel from your tooth to accommodate the shell. Veneers require very little removal of the enamel surface of the tooth. It will generally depend on the type of veneer used, position of the teeth, or the dentist's preferred method of preparing the tooth.

You may or may not require local anesthetic for the appointment. Teeth that have been root canalled or teeth that require very little preparation, may allow you to avoid the need for anesthetic.

• Your dentist will use the high speed hand piece to contour the front surface of the tooth. 
• Impressions of the prepared teeth are taken inside your mouth using a very precise impression material that starts out as a thick paste. The impression material is filled into a tray and placed on the teeth.
• The dental assistant will likely hold the impression tray in your mouth until the material sets, usually after 3 to 5 minutes. An impression of how your teeth bite together is also taken. Impression material is applied to the biting surface of the bottom and top teeth. You will be asked to bite down into the material for 1 to 2 minutes until the material is set; depending on the brand used.
• If the dentist is satisfied with all of the impressions, they are delivered to the dental laboratory.
• This model is sent out to a dental laboratory, which in turn constructs your veneer. It usually takes 1-2 weeks for your dentist to receive the veneers back from the laboratory. For very unsightly teeth, temporary dental veneers can be placed for an additional cost.
• Before the dental veneer is permanently cemented to your tooth, your dentist will temporarily place it on your tooth to examine its fit and color. He or she will repeatedly remove and trim the veneer as needed to achieve the proper fit; the veneer color can be adjusted with the shade of cement to be used. Next, to prepare your tooth to receive the veneer, your tooth will be cleaned, polished, and etched -- which roughens the tooth to allow for a strong bonding process. A special cement is applied to the veneer and the veneer is then placed on your tooth