Porcelain veneers

One of the most effective and popular procedures to achieve a flawless new smile is with the application of dental veneers. Used to completely reshape your smile in as few as two appointments, veneers are a more conservative option than a full crown. Veneers are an ideal solution to close gaps, straighten crooked teeth, repair chips and cover permanent stains.

These are thin tooth-coloured porcelain (ceramic) shells carefully crafted to bond to and cover the front of unsightly teeth. They are a more conservative treatment than a crown and can often be used as an alternative if the underlying tooth is strong and healthy. Veneers are excellent for treating chipped, discoloured, slightly misaligned or misshapen teeth or gaps between the teeth, especially if these defects affect the front teeth. A tooth that is too small or has irregularities can be successfully treated with a veneer. Veneers are not a replacement for corrective dental procedures in people with overcrowded or badly misaligned teeth, or upper and lower teeth that do not meet evenly. As healthy gums are essential to the success of veneers, daily attention to oral hygiene is important.

Carefully crafted in a dental laboratory from fine pieces of ceramic, dental veneers, when bonded to the surface of your front teeth, are very strong and durable. When placing a crown your entire tooth needs to be reshaped to accommodate it, however with a veneer, only minimal tooth enamel is needed to be removed so when they are placed, your veneers provide optimal aesthetics with maximum strength of tooth.

Your consultation appointment with the Richmond Fine Dentistry team is the most important aspect of your treatment, as this is when we will discuss the result you desire, examine the health of your teeth and gums and if you are also wishing to achieve a lighter colour shade. We also encourage you to ask questions regarding any aspect of your treatment. The preparation and placement of veneers requires careful planning.

The planning phase involves:

• The taking of upper and lower study models
• Trial wax up on the study models in the laboratory where the proposed aesthetic scheme is developed.
• Sitting with you and the waxed up models to discuss, modify and sign off on your proposed new smile
• This then becomes the "blue-print" for the ceramist who will make the veneers.
• Complementary consultation with ceramicist to assess directly your shade/aesthetic requirements. His involvement is vital for successful accomplishment of your required treatment outcome.

Careful preparation is the key to successfully achieving your desired smile. First, the teeth receiving veneers will be lightly buffed removing approximately 1/2 mm of enamel from the surface; this will enable a strong bond to be achieved and prevent your veneered teeth from appearing larger than your other natural teeth. Local anaesthetic will be administered to ensure you are completely comfortable.

Once your teeth are prepared, an impression taken to make a model on which our dental laboratory will craft your ceramic veneers. This will ensure a precise fit with your teeth and perfect alignment with your gum-line is achieved creating a natural looking smile. Your veneers will take between 1 – 2 weeks to make.

Depending on your personal circumstance, temporary veneers may be placed while your permanent veneers are being made.

Before your Richmond Fine Dentistry dentist permanently bonds your new veneers, they will place each one on their corresponding tooth, examine it for fit with your gum-line and colour match, and make any minor adjustments that may be required.

Your teeth will then be cleaned and etched to ensure a strong bond between your tooth and veneers is achieved. They are then cemented in place with a formulated dental cement, and polished to match your natural teeth.

It may take you a couple of weeks to become familiar with the feel of your new veneers. You may also be required to attend a follow-up appointment several weeks after receiving your veneers to evaluate there has been no gum irritation.

Advantages are:

• Application is relatively painless
• If underlying structure is healthy, veneers can be a simpler and cheaper alternative to crowns
• Veneers are resistant to staining due to age, tea, coffee, or smoking
• The porcelain and the cement used in the cementing process are strong, making veneers comparable in strength to normal teeth
• Veneers can last for many years
• Porcelain will not decay

Disadvantages are:

• A veneer cannot be repaired if it is damaged or the gum shrinks away from the top edge
• Veneers tend to be relatively expensive
• A small amount of tooth must be removed during preparation

Continuing with a regular oral hygiene routine is just as important for the longevity of your veneers as it is for your natural teeth. Even though your veneers are made from porcelain, they are still bonded to your natural teeth, which are still vulnerable to tooth decay and gum disease. Brushing at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing once a day, in addition to regular appointments with the Richmond Fine Dentistry team, will keep your new smile looking beautiful for many years.