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Porcelain laminate veneers
These are wafer-thin shells of ceramic material which are bonded to the front of teeth. Porcelain veneers are placed to mask discolouration, brighten teeth, change shape or change arrangement of teeth.
Veneers are highly resistant to permanent staining and they provide a much more conservative approach to improving a smile. Veneers will last for many years when the techniques involved are performed properly.
The dentist will make a thorough assessment of your smile and work with you to design your perfect smile. This will probably be the most comprehensive dental evaluation you will have ever had! He will take detailed records which include x-rays, digital photographs, computer imaging of your smile and impressions of your existing smile.
He will then send the impressions to the lab where our master ceramist will use these to make a template from which the dentist creates your new smile. This is called a wax-up.
Approximately 7-10 days after the impressions are taken, the dentist will lightly buff and contour your teeth to allow for the small added thickness of the veneers. Temporary veneers will then be fitted. These temporaries are in plastic material but, in every other respect, are identical to the finished result giving you a chance to preview the final smile.
Approximately 2-3 weeks later the dentist will fit the permanent, porcelain veneers. This process, from start to finish, can take as little as 3 weeks although please allow for a maximum of 6 weeks.
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Veneers can greatly improve your appearance. They hide imperfections and you lose very little natural tooth.
Veneers also protect teeth from further damage. For example, acid in foods and drinks or from the stomach can cause your teeth to wear away.
Veneers can protect your teeth from becoming thin and weak. If the tooth is strong, a veneer is often a better option than a crown for improving a tooth's appearance.
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