A guide to dental veneers Having crooked, uneven or misaligned teeth when approaching adulthood can limit a person’s self-confidence, particularly for those who are required to take part in public speaking. For this reason, the emergence of cosmetic dentistry has resulted in a high number of people making the bold move and resolving the issue once and for all. Dental veneers are usually utilised to allow image-conscious individuals to make the most of their smile, forgetting any insecurities they once had about joining in a conversation while attending a social gathering. Stained, crooked, damaged and badly worn teeth can be replaced with a brand new, straight, white smile that has become commonplace among glamorous Hollywood celebrities walking the red carpet. What are dental veneers? Wafer-thin laminates of tooth-coloured materials that can be made from ceramics, porcelain or composite bonding material and are attached to the front surface of the pearly whites to improve their appearance. They can be used to provide a new smile for people who have encountered any problems with their teeth, such as: Damage – Many individuals find their teeth become badly worn as a result of excessive grinding or drinking too many fizzy drinks, while others with chopped or broken areas can benefit from dental veneers. Although small damages can be repaired with composite bonding, more severe cases can be fixed with a porcelain attachment that looks and feels like a natural tooth. Gaps – People who want to fill gaps or spaces between their teeth could also opt for this effective treatment, which is likely to improve the appearance of the smile while aligning the smile. Stains – Many lifestyle choices such as smoking and drinking can have a negative impact on oral health and result in the discolouration of the teeth. Dental veneers can help pearly whites retrieve their natural glow and are often selected by a high number of patients looking to resolve issues with stained teeth. Misalignment – Although this course of action is not the ideal treatment for crooked teeth, it is becoming more common for patients with slight issues to request the installation of porcelain veneers. This is due to the timely manner of the procedure, as well as the alleviation of the requirement to wear traditional metal braces. Which is the most popular type of fixture? Porcelain veneers have emerged as the most popular type of veneer due to the strong and durable material. Composite fittings are more likely to stain and do not last as long as the highly sought after alternative. Additionally, porcelain installations provide a more natural-looking, translucent appearance, which is why they are the more costly of the two. While composite veneers could be the ideal course of action for individuals with minor problems with their teeth, the weakness and low cost of this option may mean they need replacing sooner than the more expensive treatment. What happens during this procedure? Patients will attend an initial consultation with a dental professional before this procedure is carried out. During this appointment, they will be able to express their needs and concerns, as well as learn what will occur during the course of treatment. Additionally, this visit is an ideal opportunity for individuals to receive advice on the likely recovery time and the overall cost of dental veneers. Before the custom-designed fixtures are created, a dentist will reshape and prepare the front surfaces of the teeth to accommodate the veneers. This process may seem daunting, but patients can rest assured the teeth and gums will be numbed with a local anaesthetic so pain and discomfort will not be experienced. During this procedure, a tiny part of the front surface of the teeth will be shaved off using a special type of dental drill. The amount of the tooth that is removed is largely dependent on the thickness of the veneer that will sit over the top. Following this, an impression of the pearly whites is taken after dental putty is pushed into the teeth to allow the creation of an imprint. This copy is then sent to a dental laboratory where an accurate model is created to be used as a guide to manufacturer the new veneers. Due to the complexity of this process, patients should expect to wait around three weeks. Some dental professionals will provide individuals with temporary veneers while this process is carried out, which could be ideal for those who are worried about their appearance. The second appointment will see the veneers fitted to the front surface of the teeth after they are thoroughly cleaned and roughed with a special acid to provide the best possible surface for the dental cement to stick to. When they are cemented into place, a specialised curling light is used to activate the dental adhesive to permanently bond the veneer to the appropriate area. A dentist will trim away any excess cement in order to achieve the best possible result. Do dental veneers provide a long-term solution? Dental veneers usually last between five and ten years, meaning they will certainly need to be replaced at some point. In some cases, the fixture can come lose and fall off so it is important for patients to keep hold of their veneer if such an event occurs. An effective oral hygiene routine that is carried out on a daily basis can significantly increase the chances of veneers lasting longer. While they are commonly attached over a minimum of two visits, some dentists have the technology to crate and fit the attachments in a limited time. CAM/CAD in-house ceramic studios can produce the custom-made high-quality veneers on-site in as little as six minutes, allowing the patient to enjoy a new smile in just one day. Are there any alternatives? As dental veneers have become a more established form of cosmetic dentistry, an increasing number of alternatives have been introduced to fit the needs of individuals with special requirements. Lumineers – are created from a patented cerinate porcelain that is around the same thickness as a contact lens, but much more durable. With this type of veneer, the tooth surface does not need to be trimmed, making the procedure completely pain-free. This is also the case with Durathin veneers, which are normally fitted within one hour. MAC Veneers – These fixtures are created from pressed ceramic, which provides more strength than traditional alternatives. Individuals seeking a smile makeover could truly see their quality of life improve with this strong and attractive option. Da Vinci Veneers – Manufactured in the US, the da Vinci brand name is extremely popular with high-profile cosmetic dentists who provide this type of treatment for big named celebrities.