Q What
is a veneer?
A A
veneer is a thin layer of porcelain made to
fit over the front surface of a tooth, like
a false fingernail fits over a nail. Sometimes
a natural colour 'composite' material is used
instead of porcelain.
Q What
are the advantages of veneers?
A Veneers
make teeth look natural and healthy, and because
they are very thin and are held in place by a
special strong bond (rather like super-glue)
very little preparation of the tooth is needed.
Q When
would I need a veneer?
A Veneers
can improve the colour, shape and position of
teeth. A precise shade of porcelain can be chosen
to give the right colour to improve a single
discoloured or stained tooth or to lighten front
teeth (usually the upper ones) generally. A veneer
can make a chipped tooth look intact again. The
porcelain covers the whole of the front of the
tooth with a thicker section replacing the broken
part. Veneers can also be used to close small
gaps, when orthodontics (braces) are not suitable.
If one tooth is slightly out of position, a veneer
can sometimes be fitted to bring it into line
with the others.
Q What
about alternatives?
A A
natural-coloured filling material can be used
for minor repairs to front teeth. This is excellent
where the tooth supports the filling, but may
not work so well for broken tooth corners. There
will always be a join between the tooth and the
filling material.
Crowns are used
for teeth that need to be strengthened - either
because they have broken, have been weakened by
a very large filling, or have had root canal treatment.
Q How
long will a veneer last?
A Veneers
should last for many years, but they can chip
or break, just as your own teeth can. Your dentist
will tell you how long each individual veneer
should last. Small chips can be repaired, or
a new veneer fitted if necessary.
Q How
are teeth prepared for a veneer?
A Some
of the shiny outer enamel surface of the tooth
may be removed, to make sure that the veneer
can be bonded permanently in place later. The
amount of enamel removed is tiny and will be
the same as the thickness of the veneer to be
fitted, so that the tooth stays the same size.
A local anaesthetic (injection) may be used to
make sure that there is no discomfort, but often
this is not necessary. Once the tooth has been
prepared, the dentist will take an 'impression'.
This will be given to the dental technician,
along with any other information needed to make
the veneer. The colour of the surrounding teeth
is matched on a shade guide to make sure that
the veneer will look entirely natural.
Q How
long will it take?
A A
veneer takes at least two visits; the first to
prepare the tooth and to match the shade, and
the second to fit it. Before bonding it in place,
your dentist will show you the veneer on your
tooth to make sure you are happy with it. Bonding
a veneer in place is done with a special adhesive,
which holds it firmly on the tooth.
Q Will
I need a temporary veneer between visits?
A Because
the preparation of the tooth is so slight you
will probably not need a temporary veneer. The
tooth will look very much the same after preparation,
but will feel slightly less smooth.
Q What
happens after the veneer is fitted?
A Only
minor adjustments can be made to the veneer after
it is fitted. It is usually best to wait a little
while to get used to it before any changes are
made. Your dentist will probably want to check
and polish it a week or so after it is fitted,
and to make sure that you are happy with it.
Q How
much will it cost?
A You
can have veneers on the NHS. However, many dentists
prefer to provide cosmetic treatment privately.
It is important to discuss charges and treatment
options with your dentist before starting treatment.
Courtesy of the
BDHF
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