Q What
is a veneer?
A A veneer
is a thin layer of porcelain made to fit over the front
surface of a tooth, like a false fingernail fits over
a nail. Sometimes a natural colour 'composite' material
is used instead of porcelain.
Q What are
the advantages of veneers?
A Veneers
make teeth look natural and healthy, and because they
are very thin and are held in place by a special strong
bond (rather like super-glue) very little preparation
of the tooth is needed.
Q When would
I need a veneer?
A Veneers
can improve the colour, shape and position of teeth.
A precise shade of porcelain can be chosen to give the
right colour to improve a single discoloured or stained
tooth or to lighten front teeth (usually the upper ones)
generally. A veneer can make a chipped tooth look intact
again. The porcelain covers the whole of the front of
the tooth with a thicker section replacing the broken
part. Veneers can also be used to close small gaps, when
orthodontics (braces) are not suitable. If one tooth
is slightly out of position, a veneer can sometimes be
fitted to bring it into line with the others.
Q What about
alternatives?
A A natural-coloured
filling material can be used for minor repairs to front
teeth. This is excellent where the tooth supports the
filling, but may not work so well for broken tooth corners.
There will always be a join between the tooth and the
filling material.
Crowns are used for teeth that need
to be strengthened - either because they have broken,
have been weakened by a very large filling, or have had
root canal treatment.
Q How long
will a veneer last?
A Veneers should last
for many years, but they can chip or break, just as your
own teeth can. Your dentist will tell you how long each
individual veneer should last. Small chips can be repaired,
or a new veneer fitted if necessary.
Q How are
teeth prepared for a veneer?
A Some of
the shiny outer enamel surface of the tooth may be removed,
to make sure that the veneer can be bonded permanently
in place later. The amount of enamel removed is tiny
and will be the same as the thickness of the veneer to
be fitted, so that the tooth stays the same size. A local
anaesthetic (injection) may be used to make sure that
there is no discomfort, but often this is not necessary.
Once the tooth has been prepared, the dentist will take
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.
Q How long
will it take?
A A veneer
takes at least two visits; the first to prepare the tooth
and to match the shade, and the second to fit it. Before
bonding it in place, your dentist will show you the veneer
on your tooth to make sure you are happy with it. Bonding
a veneer in place is done with a special adhesive, which
holds it firmly on the tooth.
Q Will I
need a temporary veneer between visits?
A Because
the preparation of the tooth is so slight you will probably
not need a temporary veneer. The tooth will look very
much the same after preparation, but will feel slightly
less smooth.
Q What happens
after the veneer is fitted?
A Only minor
adjustments can be made to the veneer after it is fitted.
It is usually best to wait a little while to get used
to it before any changes are made. Your dentist will
probably want to check and polish it a week or so after
it is fitted, and to make sure that you are happy with
it.
Click here if
you'd like a printable version of this page (Adobe
Acrobat)
Courtesy of the BDHF
|
