About this treatment
If you are interested in changing the colour or shape of your teeth, veneers might be the solution for you. They can be used to lengthen teeth and improve your bite or fill gaps where orthodontics may not be suitable.
What are dental veneers?
Veneers are a bit like the teeth’s equivalent of false nails. They are thin ‘covers’ made from either a porcelain or composite material placed on top of the natural, existing tooth or teeth and are designed to be more aesthetically pleasing whilst having a great degree of permanence.
Dental veneers can change the shape, size and shade of teeth, filling gaps when orthodontics may not be an option or restoring the shape and colour of a chipped tooth.
How do veneers work?
For a single stained tooth we can also match the precise shade of porcelain to give it a lighter appearance and fit in with the surrounding teeth. Veneers can also be used to close small gaps, when braces are not suitable. If one tooth is slightly out of position, a veneer can sometimes be fitted to bring it in line with the others.
The procedure usually requires two appointments – one for the tooth preparation and for taking impressions, and one for the placing of the veneers.
Benefits of dental veneers
They can whiten a smile almost instantaneously and the whitening results normally last longer than the whitening of natural teeth as veneers are largely stain resistant.
Minor cosmetic issues can also be addressed with veneers, for instance cracks or chips to the teeth. In some cases veneers might also be able to reduce the appearance of crooked or gapped teeth.
A further advantage comes in treating worn enamel on your teeth. Enamel can be eroded over time and does not regenerate, lost enamel is lost for good. Veneers can help in protecting your teeth from further damage.