What are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers, also known as dental veneers, are thin shells of ceramic material that are attached to the front surfaces of teeth. This treatment is typically used for teeth that are:

  • chipped
  • unshapely
  • discoloured
  • cracked

To make sure your porcelain veneers can be made and fitted correctly, Eagle Heights Dental Care dentists advise a minimum of three visits would be ideal:

  1. First appointment for a consultation
  2. Second appointment to prepare your teeth and make the veneers
  3. Third appointment to apply the veneers.

If you get porcelain veneers with the CEREC machine, treatment can be done in just two appointments. The first being the consultation and the second being where the porcelain veneer is made and applied to your teeth.

How are porcelain veneers made and what does the procedure entail?

In order to ensure porcelain veneers fit, your teeth are prepared and an imprint of your teeth will be taken using a silicon putty to create a mould of your teeth. Each porcelain veneer is then created individually for each patient.

Once your porcelain veneers are ready, your teeth will be cleaned thoroughly and an acid will be used to toughen up the surface of both the tooth and the veneer.  A dental adhesive will then be used to ensure the caps are securely placed onto the teeth.

This process could take around one to two hours to complete depending on the number of teeth being treated.

Caring for your porcelain veneers

Dental veneers must be cared for and precautions must be taken to protect the thin porcelain shells which can be damaged while eating foods such as carrots.

Taking care of your porcelain veneers is actually quite easy, just continue to follow good oral hygiene including, brushing, flossing and rinsing. Even though porcelain veneers resist stains, you may want to avoid foods and beverages that cause stains. You should also go for regular checkups to maintain your porcelain veneers.

Suitable candidates

People who have cosmetic problems with their teeth, such as:

  • Cracks and gaps between the teeth
  • Uneven or misaligned teeth
  • Discoloured teeth

The advantages of porcelain veneers

  • Their appearance is more natural and conservative.
  • They are stain resistant.
  • They can maintain the bright white colour for a much longer period of time than normal teeth.
  • Porcelain veneers are individually crafted for each patient, it is nearly impossible to tell the difference between a veneer and a natural tooth.

The disadvantages of porcelain veneers

  • The process is not reversible and the veneers are usually not repairable once cracked.
  • Veneers can be costly.
  • Your teeth may become more sensitive to certain foods and beverages.
  • Teeth with veneers may still decay.
  • Veneers generally last between 7 and 20 years and will need to be replaced.

If you would like to learn more about porcelain veneers, or to book an appointment, please contact us today.

FAQs

Dental veneers generally last between 7 and 20 years, after which time they will usually need to be replaced. The longevity of your dental veneers will depend on how you take care of them. We recommend that you practise good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing daily, and coming in for regular dental check-ups. It’s also important to note that veneers can be damaged by eating very hard foods, so it’s best to avoid these as much as possible as veneers cannot always be repaired once they have cracked.

Dental veneers are made from porcelain, which is a thin ceramic material. The porcelain helps to achieve a look that is very natural, and the material is resistant to stains. The thin porcelain shells are bonded to the front surface of the teeth to conceal a wide range of cosmetic imperfections. Resin veneers tend to be less stain resistant than porcelain. Porcelain veneers also tend to achieve a much more natural look than resin composite veneers.

Dental veneers can be used to conceal a wide range of cosmetic problems, such as cracks and gaps between the teeth, uneven or misaligned teeth, and discolouration and stains. They are a highly effective option when it comes to improving the overall appearance of the teeth as they achieve a brighter, more beautiful smile. If you are considering veneers, we recommend that you come in for a consultation to ensure that you are a suitable candidate for the treatment. If you are suited to the treatment, we will arrange an appointment in which your teeth are prepared, and another appointment to apply the veneers.