Veneers

Normally veneers are made from a thin layer of porcelain and fit over the front of the existing tooth. Occasionally veneers can be made from a tooth coloured composite resin material.

Your veneers should last for many years, however just like real teeth they can be chipped or broken. Small chips in veneers can be repaired and veneers can be replaced if required. Your dentist can tell you more about the lifespan of your veneers.

A little of the surface enamel of the tooth may be removed, to ensure that the veneer can be bonded permanently in place. The amount of enamel removed will be the same as the thickness of the veneer to be fitted, ensuring that the tooth stays the same size. When fitting a veneer we may use local anaesthetic to ensure there is no discomfort for you. Once the tooth has been prepared, we take an impression of the tooth to prepare the final veneer Our specialist technicians manufacture the veneer to exact shade and size specifications, and the veneer is fitted to your tooth with a special cement.

The process from start to finish should only take 2 visits. Firstly to prepare and take an impression of the tooth to be veneered, and possibly to have a temporary veneer fitted. On your second visit, usually 2 weeks later, the final veneer will be fitted, and checked.

It will normally take a little time to adjust to your new veneer, especially if you have more than one tooth treated, so don’t worry if it feels a little different at first. We normally request patients come back a week or so after the fitting to check everything is OK and give the veneer a final polish.