The smile you’ve always wanted

Many people have long heard of veneers which is no surprise considering they are the oldest cosmetic smile treatment other than traditional metal braces. First used in Hollywood in 1928 to temporarily adjust an actor’s teeth for a film production, veneers have come a long way and are still a widely popular choice for achieving a natural long-lasting perfect smile.

Porcelain veneers consist of a thin layer of ceramic/porcelain placed on the front surfaces of teeth in order to change the appearance of your smile. Teeth that are discoloured, chipped, rotated or spaced can be dramatically improved with veneers whether its a single tooth you wish to restore or multiple.

Porcelain Veneers – the treatment process

Initial assessment

At your first appointment you will have a full dental assessment including radiographs to ascertain your general dental and oral hygiene status. The dentist will explain whether or not you are a suitable candidate for veneer treatment and also whether or not it is in fact the best course of action to achieve your end goal. At this stage, should you require any pre-treatment dental procedures in order that you are fit and ready for the veneer treatment the dentist will incorporate this into a plan for you. If you don’t have any additional dental requirements then you are ready to begin your veneer treatment. You will be provided with the plan and if you are keen to proceed then you are ready to go on to the next stage.

The ‘Wax-Up’

The ‘Wax-Up’ stage of the process can be done on the same day as the initial assessment if you are 100% sure you wish to proceed however the majority of people will go away and absorb the information they have been given before proceeding to the ‘wax-up’ stage. This stage incurs a fee which is dependant upon how many veneers you are planning to have. This would have been discussed with you at your initial assessment. This is a short appointment whereby impressions of your teeth are taken in order to fabricate a model with veneers in wax to better demonstrate to you the aesthetic goals and to show you what your new smile will look like.

Review of wax model

Another short visit to attend and review the model that has been made. At this point you can visualise your new smile in wax form and discuss with the Dentist any changes or adjustments that you might like to make. Once the desired look is agreed an appointment will be made for the preparation of your teeth.

Preparation appointment

The preparation appointment can last from 90 minutes to 3 hours depending on how many veneers you are having placed. At this stage, the Dentist will remove a small amount of enamel from the front of the teeth in order to create adequate space for the veneers to be applied. It is extremely important at this stage to note that once the preparation of your teeth has begun, you have committed to veneers or crowns for the rest of your life. An experienced dentist will prepare the teeth as conservatively as possible however the appearance of your natural teeth will be altered forever. Where necessary, the Dentist will create a temporary veneer for you to wear whilst you wait for your new permanent porcelain veneers to be engineered. This can take between 10 days and 2 weeks.

The final fit appointment

During the final fit appointment, your new veneers are carefully and artistically cemented into place one by one. They are then finished and polished to a life-like shine. This appointment can also take between 90 mins and 3 hours but by the end of it you are ready to leave the centre with a shiny new porcelain smile.

Aftercare

It is impossible to place any specific time criteria to the length of time that veneers should last and should a veneer become damaged or stained they will need to be replaced without delay. Veneers are susceptible to staining just like natural teeth. Impeccable oral hygiene of course contributes to the longevity of your veneers and also minimises any risks associated with staining, leakage or chipping. If you are prone to clenching and grinding at night-time then a night guard will be recommended. Sensitivity is a common reaction to the veneer treatment process in which case a anti-sensitivity toothpaste is recommended. More than ever, a strict regime of brushing, flossing and regular hygienist visits is highly recommended to get the most out of your beautiful new smile.