Veneers

 

Porcelain veneers can give you a bright, white smile if your teeth are discoloured, damaged, small or slightly crooked. Resistant to staining from age, tea, coffee and smoking, veneers can be used on a single tooth, or several for a total smile makeover.

 

What is a veneer?

A veneer is a thin layer of porcelain or composite that is bonded to your tooth. The benefits and suitability of veneers includes:  

• More affordable than crowns

• Used when the underlying tooth is strong and healthy

• Can last for 10-30 years

 

What happens when you get a veneer?

A veneer procedure generally requires two visits with the duration of an appointmentusually 1 – 2 hours, depending on the number of veneers. 

 

First appointment

• Dentist prepares your tooth by removing a thin layer from the tooth surface to allow room for the veneer

• Local anaesthetic may be required 

• An impression is taken of your teeth and sent to a dental ceramist, who makes the veneers especially for your teeth

 

Follow-up appointment

• Dentist evaluate the colour and fit 

• Bond the veneer permanently to your tooth using a light-activated cement

• Trim and polish of veneer for a smooth and natural finish

 

 

Bonding

 

Bonding is an easy and affordable way to fix small irregularities, chips and blemishes in just one visit. Most often, bonding is used to improve the appearance of a tooth by changing its shape or colour. Bonding lasts for several years, however it’s important to take care of your bonded tooth with proper dental hygiene and by avoiding chewing hard objects.

 

How does bonding work?

The bonding procedure requires the following steps:

• Selection of  a resin to perfectly match the colour of your natural teeth 

• Slightly roughen the tooth and coat it with a conditioning liquid, to help the bonding material adhere

• Apply the resin, mould it into shape and harden it with a blue light

• Trim, shape and polish the bonding material to match the rest of the tooth surface