Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are thin coverings or “shells” applied to the surfaces of the teeth and designed to cover surface defects, discolouration or tooth misalignment.

Veneering is an increasingly popular and accessible dental technique due to the fact that it can be performed relatively quickly and inexpensively. This procedure offers a rapid way to an enhanced smile and increased personal confidence and is a very popular amongst high profile acting and media professionals.

The veneering process involves removing a small amount of the existing tooth surfaces to create a proper foundation for the new external covering. The removal of the underlying tooth surface is necessary to ensure that the new shell does not feel uncomfortable or protrude unnecessarily and that it integrates properly with the rest of the patient’s teeth. The procedure normally happens in two visits to the dentist – during the fist visit the tooth surface is prepared and impressions are taken to ensure that the veneers match as closely as possible to the existing teeth; on the second visit the teeth are cleaned and polished and the new veneers applied with special adhesive to create a strong bond to the underlying tooth surface.

The veneers “shells” are made from porcelain, ceramic or composite materials are semi-permanent and can last for up to fifteen years but with a more typical life span of 5-10 years.

Back to Dental Treatments Introduction