The look of your teeth has a significant effect on your overall appearance, as well as your self-confidence!
If you’re unhappy with the appearance of your teeth, or if you refrain from smiling or opening your mouth in front of others, then dental veneers could be for you!
Getting cosmetic dentistry veneers placed over your teeth is a good option if:
- Tooth whitening treatments or bleaching haven’t quite worked
- If you have chipped, broken, discoloured or worn teeth
- You’re unhappy with the shape of your teeth or if they’re positioned awkwardly in your mouth.
Depending on what you need, there are a variety of dental veneer options available to suit the look you’re after, as well as your budget. However, it’s essential to thoroughly research and make sure you understand all the options before you get veneers applied to your teeth. Not only will they last you for ten years or more, but they are also a big investment to undertake.
If you’re thinking of getting dental veneers, we’ve put together the ultimate guide so you’ll know everything about veneer treatments and the advantages they can offer. If you still have any questions, Feel free to get in touch, and one of our team will be more than happy to help.
What are veneers for teeth?
Dental veneers are a type of cosmetic treatment that are designed to look like natural teeth. They’re small tooth-sized thin shells that are made from porcelain or other types of composite materials. These natural look veneers cover the front of each tooth and are meant to improve the look and appearance of your smile.
Porcelain veneers are custom made to match the colour and shape of your existing teeth so that they look like brand new versions of your original set. This makes them an excellent option for anyone who has chipped, broken, worn or stained teeth that whitening treatments cannot fix. They’re also helpful if someone wants to perfect their natural smile in a non-invasive way but doesn’t necessarily have extensive damage to their teeth
What are the pros and cons of veneers?
GETTING VENEERS IS LESS PAINFUL THAN BRACES
One of the biggest advantages of dental veneers is that they are pretty much a non-invasive procedure compared to braces or other orthodontics. So, if you’re looking to fix your misshapen teeth, dental veneer treatments are a much less painful option for you to consider. Bonus, they’ve also been shown to resist decay and cavities better than natural teeth!
VENEERS ARE NOT A COMPLETELY PERMANENT OPTION
Veneers are not a completely permanent option; each set lasts ten years, meaning that you can get your veneers adjusted as your face changes with age. Dental veneers are 100% customisable, helping you to achieve your ideal natural-looking smile.
VENEERS CAN HELP REPAIR CHIPPED TEETH
If you have chipped or broken teeth, dental veneers are a much more conservative option than the likes of other extensive dental procedures, such as porcelain crowns or teeth caps. This is because they don’t need extensive shaping of our gums or existing teeth to install.
Dental veneers can also be easily removed and then altered or replaced at a later date if required. Your underlying teeth will still be healthy and completely functional after they’ve been released.
VENEERS MATCH THE NATURAL COLOUR OF YOUR WHITE PEARLY TEETH
If you have stains or discolourations on your teeth, then it’s likely that you’ve already tried bleaching or other whitening treatments. If these haven’t worked as well as you hoped, then dental veneers could be the next best thing for you to try! Porcelain veneers are designed to match the natural colour of white pearly teeth.
How do veneers work?
Dental veneers will require the reshaping of your teeth that you are getting fixed. Before you get the procedure, there are three different types of dental veneers for you to consider. These are:
PORCELAIN VENEERS
Although they’re more expensive, these natural-looking veneers tend to be stronger and typically more long-lasting than other types. They look the most natural and are custom-made to fit your teeth.
COMPOSITE RESIN VENEERS
Composite resin veneers are usually made from tooth-coloured resin and are easily fixable if they become damaged. Because of this, they typically cost a lot less than porcelain veneers. However, they tend not to last as long and will most likely need to be replaced sooner than porcelain ones.
NO-PREP VENEERS
No-prep dental veneers are like contact lenses for your teeth. They don’t require any drilling, sanding or grinding of your existing teeth. Instead, they focus solely on the enamel of the tooth for minimal removal and instalment. They tend not to be suitable for people who are looking to cover up a chipped or funny shaped tooth
How are veneers put on?
Dental veneer treatments will usually require you to attend a few different appointments before they are correctly installed. Veneers themselves work by covering your existing teeth with a thin layer of porcelain or composite material.
However, before this can be done, you’ll have to attend a consultation with your dentist to diagnose any existing teeth issues and choose a treatment plan that suits you. You can pick full veneers that completely cover your tooth or partial veneers that only cover damaged or discoloured areas, depending on what problems you want to fix.
SHAVING YOUR TEETH FOR VENEERS
The first appointment will remove around 0.3 to 0.5 millimetres off the surface of your existing teeth. This is to preserve the nerve of the tooth and keep it at maximum strength, ensuring that your dental veneers will last for a long time.
At the same time, your dentist will then make an impression or model of the tooth/teeth that will receive the veneers so they can be replaced if necessary in the future.
FITTING THE VENEERS
Afterwards, your dentist will place the veneer on your teeth and check that the colour and fit is correct. If everything matches up okay, then a special cement is used to bind the veneer to your teeth.
How much is it for veneers?
Dental veneers can vary in price depending on your dental practice, the extent of the procedure, the number of teeth you need covering and the type of veneer that’s used. As a rule of thumb, you can always expect porcelain veneers to typically cost double that of composite veneer options.
On average, you can expect to pay between £400 and £1000 per tooth for porcelain veneers. On the other hand, composite resin veneers are a much cheaper alternative. These only cost around £100 to £400 for each tooth. But, the expected results might be less convincing compared with porcelain veneers.
RHODES ST DENTAL PRACTICE – THE LEADING PRIVATE DENTAL CLINIC IN OLDHAM
To book in your dental venner consultation today call 0161 823 5329. Our highly qualified and experienced team adhere to guidance from the General Dental Council (GDC) ‘Standards For Dental Professionals’ so you can rest assured you’ll be in the safest of hands.
