Veneers
Veneers are a popular method of achieving the perfect smile, restoring visibly damaged, broken or stained teeth to their former glory.
A veneer is a thin shell made from porcelain or a composite material and adhered to the front surface of the tooth. As such, they are a popular way to quickly achieve whiter, more even teeth, particularly among younger people who might otherwise have no other dental issues. At SDS, we specialise in restorative care, only applying high-quality porcelain veneers where the surface of the tooth is visibly damaged or stained. Ultimately, the outcome is still an aesthetic one – helping our patients to smile with confidence once more.
4 steps to a comfortable dental splint
The initial consultation
Whether the goal is restoration or enhancement, we’ll identify the teeth requiring veneers, the amount of correction required and the types of veneers available to achieve the aesthetic appearance you’re looking for.
Preparing your teeth
At the second appointment, we take a physical impression of your teeth and also perform a digital scan to create a 3D model. Only then can we carry out any necessary preparation to the surface of each tooth. This may involve shaving some of the tooth away to create an ideal surface for the veneer and remove any damage. Finally, we take another digital scan of your teeth. Combined with the original scan, this allows us to create an extremely accurate template, so that each veneer fits into the prepared section of each tooth exactly. As the final veneers may take a few weeks to prepare, we may fit you with temporary veneers to protect the prepared surface in the meantime.
Fabricating the veneers
The whole point of veneers is to look flawless. Therefore, we only work with a boutique dental lab that specialises in the fabrication of extremely well-crafted and accurate porcelain veneers.
Applying the veneers
At your third appointment, we clean and polish your teeth before applying the veneers with bonding cement. If necessary, we then make any adjustments to their shape or position. From consultation to application, the entire process can take just 3-6 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Unless we need to remove damage from the tooth, very little shaving may be necessary. We usually remove less than a millimetre of the surface enamel to create the necessary space for the veneer. Some “prepless” or “no-prep” veneers require even less preparation, if at all. The choice of veneer and the amount of prep required will depend on the surface and shape of your teeth and the final appearance you hope to achieve.
However, if your teeth are damaged or crooked, more shaving may be necessary to create an even surface for the veneers. For crooked teeth, this may be reduced or avoided by correcting the teeth first with braces or Invisalign, which of course adds more expense and a few months to the process.
However, if your teeth are damaged or crooked, more shaving may be necessary to create an even surface for the veneers. For crooked teeth, this may be reduced or avoided by correcting the teeth first with braces or Invisalign, which of course adds more expense and a few months to the process.
Properly cared for, your veneers may last for up to 20 years. However, while porcelain veneers are highly stain resistant, you may begin to notice a difference in coloration compared to your other teeth after a time.
After your veneers are applied, you may need to avoid very hot or cold food and drink, as well as hard foods. Once your teeth are fully healed, you maintain them just as you would your other teeth – brush twice a day with a soft toothbrush and floss regularly.
If you have a history of grinding your teeth at night, you may need a dental splint to avoid accidentally chipping or cracking your veneers.
If you have a history of grinding your teeth at night, you may need a dental splint to avoid accidentally chipping or cracking your veneers.