Veneers
If you have teeth that are discoloured, chipped, broken or uneven or if you have gaps between your teeth, you may be able to hide them behind veneers. The veneering procedure applies a thin shell that resembles a tooth which is cemented to the surface of your existing tooth.
You can choose between composite resin or porcelain veneers. The latter is stronger and less prone to staining but requires more than one visit to complete.
The Veneering procedure
The veneering procedure is different depending on which type of veneer is involved in treatment.
Porcelain
- A thin layer of the enamel from your teeth (sometimes less than ½ millimeter) is removed, then a mold is made of your teeth to use for custom-designing your veneers.
- At the end of the visit, your dentist will make a temporary veneer and temporarily cement it to your teeth. The temporary veneers replace the removed enamel and are worn until your permanent veneers are ready. Your temporaries will be very fragile, so you will want to treat them gently.
- You will return to your dentist when the permanent veneers are ready to be cemented. Your dentist will then remove your temporary veneers and replace them with the permanent veneers.
Composite resin
- The tooth is prepared for the placement of the veneer.
- You will choose a composite resin colour that matches the rest of the teeth in your mouth and your dentist will layer it onto your tooth or teeth.
- Your dentist will form the resin into the shape of a tooth, and polish it so it looks 100% natural and smooth.
The disadvantage of veneers
The advantage of veneering
Minimal tooth structure needs to be removed for a dental veneer to be placed and it provides an excellent long-term solution.
The advantage of veneering
Minimal tooth structure needs to be removed for a dental veneer to be placed and it provides an excellent long-term solution.
The disadvantage of teeth whitening
The advantage of veneering
Minimal tooth structure needs to be removed for a dental veneer to be placed and it provides an excellent long-term solution.
The disadvantage of veneering
Veneers will not last indefinitely and may need to be replaced over time. This is why maintaining good oral hygiene is important. Brush and floss around the veneer and visit your dentist regularly.
The advantage of veneering
Minimal tooth structure needs to be removed for a dental veneer to be placed and it provides an excellent long-term solution.
The disadvantage of veneers
Veneers will not last indefinitely and may need to be replaced over time. This is why maintaining good oral hygiene is important. Brush and floss around the veneer and visit your dentist regularly.
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Veneers Q&A
Because veneers require enamel for bonding and are designed to fit over relatively healthy teeth, teeth that have lost too much of their enamel (e.g., from fractures, decay, acid erosion etc.) might not be candidates for this treatment. People who involuntarily weaken their enamel by grinding or clenching their teeth (known as bruxism) are generally not candidates for veneers either. Also, veneers may not be the best solution to correct an overly misaligned smile. Your dentist will examine your teeth and help determine if veneers are right for you.
With proper care, veneers can last between five and ten years or longer.
Your dentist will advise you on the most appropriate treatment option for you, but generally speaking, porcelain veneers will provide a superior long-term treatment option.
First off, do not panic. Sometimes veneers can become unbonded over time. If you can, save the veneer. DO NOT attempt to reapply it with household glue. Schedule an appointment with your dentist and bring the veneer with you. Note that the re-exposed tooth might be extra sensitive to hot and cold until the veneer can be re-cemented.
No, but it can improve the aesthetics of the veneers in some cases.
No. With the use of local anesthetic the process is quite comfortable. It is possible that you may experience discomfort after the procedure, but this can be effectively managed with over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. In the case of direct composite veneers, local anesthetic is typically not required.
Lumineers are veneers that can be fit over teeth without preparing them (i.e., no drilling or grinding down tooth surfaces is required).
Many factors impact the cost of veneers including the state of the teeth requiring the veneer. At your initial assessment, your dentist will be able to provide a cost estimate for the proposed treatment. The cost estimate can be sent to your insurer to determine if the proposed treatment is covered under your dental plan.
Yes. With modern techniques materials, and a skilled laboratory technician, the veneer can be made to perfectly match your existing teeth.
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