Dental (porcelain) veneers

Few cosmetic dental treatments offer the comprehensive results that veneers can provide. In a single treatment, veneers can correct surface flaws such as cracks and chips. Veneers can also conceal dark tetracycline stains, which cannot be treated with traditional teeth whitening procedures. Veneers can also change the shape of teeth, often making these improvements an ideal solution for patients with irregularly shaped, pointed, proportionately small, worn teeth.
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of medical-grade ceramic that are fixed to the front surfaces of teeth for an immediate smile renewal. Individually crafted for each patient, these cosmetic improvements are made from advanced material that closely resembles the look of natural dental enamel. Dentists can use veneers for an impressive number of cosmetic corrections, ranging from teeth whitening to orthodontic adjustments. Thanks to their lifelike appearance and wide array of functions, porcelain veneers rank among the most trusted and popular methods in cosmetic dentistry.

Are dental veneers suitable for you?

The only way a patient can thoroughly determine his or her candidacy for veneers is by scheduling an appointment with our cosmetic dentist. After evaluating health history, current dental health, and the state of a patient's enamel, a dentist can make an reliable decision regarding a patient's suitability for the treatment. He or she can also recommend different treatments for non-qualifying patients.

Patients who are considering porcelain veneers are typically looking to address multiple structural or cosmetic issues with their teeth, such as:

• Chips
• Cracks
• Gaps between teeth
• Minor misalignment
• Discoloration

In order to have dental veneers placed, patients should:

• Have good overall oral (periodontal) health
• Be committed to appropriate oral care and hygiene
• Have specific cosmetic goals, which they can clearly define to our cosmetic dentist at their initial consultations, as well as realistic expectations
• Have a sufficient amount of healthy enamel, as emergency dentists generally remove a thin layer of enamel before placing veneers

The initial consultation about dental veneers

Before having any dental procedure, patients should have a thorough consultation with our cosmetic dentist. However, because veneers placement is so highly personalized, the initial consultation takes on special importance. At the first meeting, our dentist analyses a patient's oral health to ensure that he or she is a good candidate for veneers. This first visit typically includes x-rays, photographs, and dental impressions. The patient explains his or her cosmetic goals so that the dentist can determine whether veneers are the optimal treatment to achieve those targets.

Results

Patients choosing veneers leave Emergency dentist London with a completely enhanced smile. After receiving porcelain veneers, there is no recovery time. Unless patients choose to get dental sedation, they will be able to drive themselves home from our dentistry, and they can immediately go about their daily routine, including physical activity. Following the enamel removal, patients may temporarily experience some moderate discomfort. For approximately 5 - 7 days, they may want to avoid very cold or hot foods, as well as extremely hard, chewy or crunchy food. When this initial sensitivity wears off, however, patients should be able to return to their normal dietary habits.

On average, veneers last about 9 - 11 years, and as dental porcelain becomes more and more durable, their lifespan may increase significantly over the next several years. Of course, veneers, like natural teeth, are still susceptible to damage. If a veneer breaks or comes off, patients should carefully save any missing pieces and bring them to our dentistry as soon as possible for repair or reattachment.

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More information about veneers on WebMD.

If you need some adjustment to your teeth, check out our metal braces article!