Porcelain Veneers Sherwood
Smile bright with veneers
Porcelain Veneers
A veneer is a thin layer of tooth-coloured porcelain which is bonded to your natural teeth to mask underlying damaged or discoloured enamel. They can last many years, and don’t discolour like natural teeth do. They can enhance the appearance of teeth by:
- Masking discoloured teeth, giving you a whiter smile
- Closing spaces between teeth
- Straightening misaligned teeth
- Repairing worn, cracked, heavily filled or chipped teeth
If you’re thinking of having porcelain veneers at Sherwood Dental, a consultation with Dr Craig Duval can assess your teeth to determine if veneers are suitable. Please give one of our friendly team a call, to find out more!
How do dental veneers work?
Porcelain veneers are usually completed in two visits. Each veneer is individually handcrafted by our dental technician, and made to look at natural as possible. The key to a great smile is having veneers that look like (amazing) natural teeth!
What is the procedure?
If you choose to have porcelain veneers, two appointments will be needed to achieve your flawless smile. The first visit involves removing a small amount of enamel from the front of each tooth. Temporary veneers are fitted to cover over the teeth while the final veneers are made. Two to three weeks later, the final veneers will be fitted.
Veneers preparation appointment
At the first visit, we’ll use local anaesthetic to numb the area. We’ll take photos to send to our laboratory, to assist in choosing a shade (colour). A small amount of enamel will be removed from the front of each tooth, to create room for the veneers. A 3D digital scan (or an impression) will be taken, and your case sent to our dental laboratory. Your final veneers will be ready two to three weeks later. During this time, you’ll have temporary veneers on to cover and protect the trimmed teeth.
Veneers fitting appointment
Your temporary veneers will be removed, and your final veneers tried in, and the fit and appearance assessed. Provided both you and Dr Duval are happy with the result, the final veneers will be permanently bonded to the teeth. We’ll check your bite, and some adjustments may be made. Local anaesthetic may or may not be needed. You’ll need to avoid eating for 2 hours afterwards, but after that your brand new smile is good to go!
Looking after your veneers
Veneers can last many years, depending on a few factors. People with a ‘heavy’ bite, and those who clench or grind their teeth, often need an occlusal splint (night guard) to protect the new veneers. Good oral hygiene is also essential – just like natural teeth, veneers need to be brushed twice daily, and flossed daily. Avoid acidic and sugary drinks, and steer clear of ‘multi-tasking’ with your front teeth (opening packaging, removing bottle caps, tearing thread etc.) Regular check-ups and cleans at Sherwood Dental are also important: six-monthly for most people. This helps us to catch any problems early, and do the best job of maintaining your brand new smile.
Ask Dr Craig Duval
Have a question about porcelain veneers?
Our friendly team is here to help!
