How are veneers prepared?
A veneer usually takes two visits. A local anesthetic (injection) may be used to make sure that there is no discomfort.
Your first appointment usually involves some minor contouring of the original teeth and taking an impression. This will be given to the dental technician, along with any other information needed to make the veneer. The colour of the surrounding teeth is matched on a shade guide to make sure that the veneer will look entirely natural.
On the next appointment the veneers are tried on and, if satisfactory, they are bonded into place. To achieve a perfect result, we combine bleaching with porcelain veneers.
Alternatives to veneers
- Bonding is a natural-colored filling material can be used for minor repairs to front teeth.
- Dental crowns for teeth which need to be strengthened – either because they have broken, have been weakened by a very large filling, or have had root canal treatment.
After the veneers are fitted
After porcelain veneers are fitted, only minor adjustments can be made. It is usually suggested to wait 2-3 weeks to get used to them before any changes are made.
Your teeth may have some sensitivity for a few days after the fitting.
Veneers should last for many years. But just as with your own teeth, they can chip or break. Your dentist can tell you how long each individual veneer should last. Small chips can be repaired.
Cleaning your veneers
Use whitening toothpaste to clean your dental veneers. You cannot change the colors of the veneers, but whitening toothpaste can prevent plaque and stain films from forming on top of the veneers.
Brush, floss and rinse as you would your natural teeth. Keeping your dental veneers in good condition will prevent cavities and gum disease from changing the color of the teeth behind the veneers.
We recommend that those with venners make sure to floss a lot. The edge of your teeth where the veneer joins the natural tooth is very susceptible to damage because the food particles and plaque now have a little ridge to sit on. Your dentist will demonstrate the proper technique for flossing.
You have to take twice as much care of your gums because if they recede even a small amount you will have the edge of the veneer showing.
Emax veneers are also available at very reasonable prices
