Dental Veneer
Dental Veneer Treatment
A dental veneer is a layer of material placed over a tooth that is used to improve the appearance of the smile or protect the surface of the tooth from damage.
Types of dental veneers
Porcelain veneers are beautiful, solid and durable options. Porcelain does not stain or lose its colour and can last up to 20 years or more!
Composite veneers, on the other hand, are made of a tooth-coloured filling. They can be used with nearly no preparation of the tooth itself, making them a more conservative, cost-effective option.
However, they are not as durable as a porcelain dental veneer and are more liable to wear and tear. Composite veneers usually last for 7-10 years and are likely to require maintenance during their lifetime.
Frequently Asked Question
What is a Veneer?
Veneers are thin, tooth-coloured porcelain or glass/plastic layers fixed onto the front of your teeth that can be a suitable option if you have teeth with gaps, that are stained, discoloured, broken or chipped, crowded-in or crooked, oddly-shaped or badly-aligned.
What is a dental veneer adhesive?
Veneers are bonded to the roughened surface of the tooth using special resin adhesives or bonding agents. The thin shell of dental veneer filling material is then glued to this bond, fusing it to the enamel of the teeth. It is then used to change the shape, position, length, and colour of the tooth.
Are veneers right for me?
For the right patient, veneers can be right changing. If you have smaller teeth with spaces between them which orthodontics can’t close, veneers can help seal these gaps. They’re also helpful if you have teeth whose edges are worn away, causing a prematurely aged appearance. Veneers can fill in the spaces between teeth left by gum recession, improving the appearance of your smile. They can make your teeth look uniform in colour, shape, and symmetry. The right dental veneer can even make crooked teeth appear straight!
Do I need to replace my veneers?
It is likely that you may need to replace your veneers at some point, especially if you first get them at a young age.
Gums can recede over time, exposing the margin between the veneer and the tooth root, which can lead to staining. As the ceramic or filling weakens with wear and tear, veneers may chip and break over the years. They can also break if exposed to trauma or the bite changes significantly, such as through tooth loss or decay.
Your dentist can handle the replacement of a dental veneer for you. However, note that every time your veneers are replaced, a small amount of enamel will be removed in the process. This means that over time, old veneers may need to be replaced with crowns if there is insufficient enamel left.
When planned and well done by a skilled dentist, like the team here at Hamilton Family Dental, veneers can last for years and make a significant difference to your smile. When you choose us for your dental veneers, we’ll do a thorough assessment of your oral health and make sure we equip you with suitable prostheses for your needs.