What are veneers?
Veneers are a thin tooth-coloured material which fit precisely over the visible front surface of a tooth to improve its appearance.
Benefits of veneers
- Improves smile and confidence
- Can be done in a short space of time
- Can be used to mask discoloured teeth
- Can be used to repair chips and cracks
- Can be used to close gaps between the teeth
- Can protect teeth after acid wear
The number of veneers a patient needs depends on the number of teeth they want to correct; usually this is the front four to ten teeth, however it is ideal to have veneers in pairs of two for symmetry.
Tooth whitening goes hand in hand with veneer placement as whitening the remaining teeth in your smile, can also enhance its appearance alongside your veneers.
Options for improving the appearance of the teeth include:
- A combination of tooth whitening and composite veneers (white filling material placed directly by the dentist)
- A combination of tooth whitening and ceramic veneers (made by a lab and placed by the dentist)
- A combination of orthodontic treatment and tooth whitening
All the above mentioned options, including their benefits, risks, prognosis and costs can be discussed with your dentist in further detail.
The time frame taken for treatment can vary from patient to patient but on average it can take between 2-4 appointments with an average appointment time of 45-60 minutes.
After any comprehensive treatment, maintenance is essential – it is important to brush twice daily with an electric tooth brush and use floss/Tepe brushes once a day. Also you should see your dentist for 6 monthly examinations and regular hygienist appointments to help preserve the result of the treatment.
