Blackwater, Camberley
Veneers
Looking into improving your smile? Veneers offer a straightforward way to enhance how your teeth look, whether it’s color, shape, or alignment you’re concerned about.
What are dental veneers?
Veneers are thin, custom-made shells designed to cover the front of your teeth, providing a new facade that hides imperfections. These shells are made from high-grade materials, such as porcelain or composite resin, chosen specifically to match the colour of your natural teeth for an indistinguishable, seamless finish. Each veneer is meticulously designed to fit the unique contours of your mouth, ensuring a comfortable, natural look and feel.
The process of applying veneers often requires just a small adjustment to the tooth’s surface, preserving the majority of the natural tooth structure.
Beyond their aesthetic benefits, veneers also provide a layer of protection for the treated teeth, potentially extending their longevity and contributing to overall oral health.
What are veneers used for?
Veneers can fix several smile concerns:
Stained teeth – If your teeth are not as bright anymore and aren’t responding to whitening like they used to, veneers can cover those stains, giving you that bright, white smile you’re after.
Chips and cracks – Life happens, and sometimes our teeth show it. Those little chips and cracks from over the years can be smoothed over with veneers.
Gaps between teeth – If you’ve got small gaps but do not want to have an orthodontic treatment like braces or Invisalign®, veneers can close those spaces up.
Straighter-looking teeth without the braces – Veneers can do that too. They can be shaped in a way that makes your teeth look more aligned and even.
So, in a nutshell, veneers are pretty versatile. They’re these thin covers that go right over your teeth, matching them so well that they look totally natural. They not only tackle colour issues but can also hide damages, fill gaps, and make your teeth look more uniform. It’s like giving your smile a quick, yet lasting, makeover. Plus, they protect your teeth a bit too, which is a nice bonus.
Types of veneers
There are mainly two types of materials used for veneers:
Porcelain veneers: These are the ones known for their strength and natural look. They require a precise fitting process, including the removal of a small amount of tooth enamel to accommodate the veneer.
Composite resin veneers: Less expensive and requiring less tooth preparation, composite veneers can often be applied in a single visit. They offer a good compromise between quality and cost but may not last as long as porcelain.
What is a typical veneers journey?
1. Initial consultation
This first step is all about understanding your vision for your smile and assessing your teeth’s suitability for veneers. It’s a collaborative process to ensure your expectations align with what veneers can achieve.
2. Customisation
Once you decide to proceed, we take impressions of your teeth. For porcelain veneers, these go to a dental lab where your custom veneers are crafted. With composite resin, the material can be applied and sculpted directly onto your teeth.
3. Preparation
This stage might involve minor adjustments to your natural teeth to ensure the veneers fit perfectly. For porcelain veneers, this means removing a small amount of enamel.
4. Application
The final appointment is where your veneers are fitted. Porcelain veneers are bonded to your teeth with a special adhesive, while composite resin is shaped and cured with light directly on your teeth.
Aftercare
After getting your veneers, it’s important to keep up with some simple aftercare to keep your smile looking its best!
Remember the basics: brush and floss regularly to keep your veneers and natural teeth clean and healthy. Try not to put too much pressure on them. Avoid biting into hard foods or using your teeth as tools to prevent any damage.
While veneers are stain-resistant, it’s still a good idea to limit foods and drinks that can cause staining, like coffee, tea, and red wine. And don’t forget to schedule regular dental checkups so your dentist can keep an eye on your veneers and make sure everything stays in good shape!
Frequently Asked Questions - Veneers
Veneer costs in the UK can vary widely depending on factors like the material used, the number of veneers needed, and the dentist’s expertise. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from £500 to £1,500 per tooth.
Generally, veneers are considered a cosmetic treatment and are not covered by the NHS. However, there may be exceptions for cases where veneers are deemed medically necessary for dental health reasons rather than purely cosmetic ones.
The cheapest option for getting veneers is typically to opt for composite resin veneers rather than porcelain veneers. Composite veneers are less expensive to produce and can often be applied in a single dental visit, reducing overall costs.
Dental bonding is often a cheaper alternative to veneers. Bonding involves applying a tooth-coloured resin to the surface of the tooth to repair chips, cracks, or gaps, but it may not last as long or provide the same aesthetic results as veneers.
A full set of veneers can be a significant investment, but for individuals seeking a complete smile transformation, they can be worth it. Veneers offer a durable, natural-looking solution for addressing multiple cosmetic concerns at once, providing long-lasting results.
Veneers are a permanent cosmetic treatment that involves altering the natural tooth structure. While they can be removed, the underlying teeth may be altered, and the process may involve replacing them with new veneers or other restorations.
Veneers are typically not recommended for teeth with significant decay or damage. Before considering veneers, any existing dental issues, such as decay or infection, should be addressed and treated by a dentist.
