Veneers

You can think of a porcelain veneer (ceramic veneer) as a thin facing, like wallpaper over a wall, that bonds to the front of your tooth. They are custom-made per tooth to look and feel natural. In comparison, a composite resin veneer is applied one layer at a time, shaped and cured by your cosmetic dentist to achieve the desired result.

While some argue that porcelain veneers can take longer to create than composite resin veneers, our cosmetic dentists use state-of-the-art technology; like 3D computer scanning and modelling as well as a smile plan simulator – to speed up the traditional porcelain veneer process and at the same time provide and even better result.

While dental veneers have skyrocketed in popularity over the last decade, based on their impressive (and almost immediate) ability to make-over one’s smile, it’s important to remember that porcelain veneers are a permanent procedure that must be done well to deliver the aesthetic results of your dreams.

For some, ceramic veneers can take an already straight smile from fit to flawless. For others, veneers can be an immediate fix for damaged teeth.

Even though ceramic veneers are an incredible cosmetic dentistry treatment, they are not an orthodontic solution and cannot correct badly misaligned teeth or overbites and underbites. If you suffer from chronic teeth grinding (also known as bruxism) we do not recommend veneers until this is treated as they can chip or break off. In these cases, we will walk you through what other options exist. It may be possible to provide porcelain dental crowns as an alternative.

After your ceramic veneers have been applied, you may experience some soreness or temporary inflammation around the gum line. Don’t worry this is completely normal. We usually recommend a follow-up appointment two weeks after a cosmetic dentistry procedure so if you have any questions, or you’re experiencing any pain, you can bring it up at this visit.

Veneers are an incredible, long-term cosmetic dentistry solution for correcting broken, stained, or chipped teeth which are considered permanent. However just like natural teeth, they can be prone to decay, acidity, accidents and trauma. Porcelain veneers in particular generally last many years and possibly longer with good oral hygiene and regular checkups to your dentist.

Now that you’ve got a stunning, new set of veneers you’ll want to take care of them to ensure they last as long as possible. Here are some tips to help extend the longevity of your smile: 

• Brush with a soft toothbrush and floss at least twice a day.
• Do not brush with an abrasive toothpaste (like a whitening toothpaste) or baking soda.
• Keep foods that can cause stains to a minimum: tobacco, coffee, tea, curry, cola, and red wine.
• Use a non-alcoholic mouth wash.
• Habits, like opening packages or holding things with your teeth, nail-biting, and chewing ice should be avoided. Also, avoid biting directly into hard foods like ribs, hard candies, nuts, and bread rolls as the impact of these actions can cause a fracture.