A veneer is a thin, custom-made shell bonded to the front of a tooth to change its colour, shape, size or position in the smile. Veneers are used on front teeth that are chipped, stained, worn, uneven or slightly out of line, and a well-made set looks like natural teeth, only more even.
Porcelain or composite
Porcelain veneers are made in a dental laboratory and bonded on at a later visit. Porcelain reflects light much as enamel does, resists staining and keeps its surface for many years. To make room for it, a thin layer of enamel is usually removed from the front of the tooth, and that cannot be put back: a tooth that has had a porcelain veneer will always need one.
Composite veneers, often called composite bonding, are built up directly on the tooth in tooth-coloured resin, shaped by hand and polished, usually in one visit and with little or no drilling. They cost less and can be repaired or reversed, but they pick up stains and chips sooner than porcelain and need polishing or renewing more often.
What happens
- Consultation. Your dentist examines your teeth and gums, asks what you would like to change and takes photographs and a scan. You see what the result could look like before anything is done to a tooth.
- Preparation. For porcelain, the teeth are shaped under local anaesthetic, a scan or an impression is taken, the shade is chosen and temporary veneers are fitted.
- Fitting. The veneers are tried in. Once you are happy with how they look and feel, they are bonded in place and the bite is checked.
Is it right for you
Veneers need healthy teeth and gums underneath them, so any decay or gum disease is treated first. They are not the answer to everything. Teeth that are simply dark often respond to whitening, which removes no tooth at all. Teeth that are crowded or crooked are often better moved, with Invisalign or orthodontics, than covered. If you grind your teeth, your dentist will want to protect the veneers with a night guard. A plan that combines several of these is what we call smile design.
Looking after veneers
Brush and clean between your teeth as usual and keep your hygiene visits. Do not bite your nails, pens or ice, or use your front teeth to open packets.
Common questions
How long do veneers last? Porcelain commonly lasts ten years or more, composite around five to seven before it needs renewing. Neither lasts for ever.
Will they look false? The shape, shade and translucency are chosen with you. Natural-looking is a choice you make at the planning stage.
Does it hurt? Preparation is done under local anaesthetic. Some sensitivity for a few days afterwards is normal.
