Porcelain Veneers

Badly stained teeth, or teeth that are chipped or cracked, can make what would otherwise be a quite pleasant smile look unappealing. In the past, problems like these might have been covered with dental crowns, but nowadays, we often recommend using dental veneers instead.

Veneers can improve the colour, shape, and position of your teeth by concealing the existing tooth with a natural-looking porcelain cover.

Veneers are very useful alternatives to crowns for anterior (front) teeth because they can be made very thin and require little preparation of the enamel, therefore causing less damage to the tooth. They can achieve a brilliant aesthetic result that greatly improves the appearance of a smile.

If the reason you want veneers is that you’re unhappy with the position of your teeth, it’s important to consider orthodontics as an initial step. Veneers are minimal coverings that can’t correct severe misalignments, so alternative treatments like braces in Southampton may be better for your dental health.

Alternatives to veneers include tooth-coloured resin materials (composite veneers), which are moulded directly onto your teeth and require even less preparation than porcelain veneers. Known as composite bonding, this is usually cheaper, but generally won’t last as long.

No, a veneer does not cover the entire tooth – it only covers the front surface of the tooth that is visible. The type of dental treatment that covers the whole tooth like a cap is called a dental crown, which is completely different from a veneer.

Veneers provide the opportunity to transform your smile for the better without having to totally restructure your teeth.

While both treatments can cover tooth wear and restore tooth strength, they involve different preparations. When a tooth is prepared for a veneer, just a small layer of enamel is removed, whereas in order to have a crown fitted, the whole of the tooth must be modified to make room for it.

If a tooth experiences major damage, a crown may be the better option. These situations include teeth that are severely cracked or where root canal treatment has taken place. In cases like these, a crown can keep the tooth intact and prevent it from further damage, which could lead to extraction being necessary.

However, veneers are extremely versatile and can address many cosmetic issues. Not only is this treatment less invasive than crowns, but it’s often more affordable, too, as the average cost of crowns for front teeth can be much higher than the cost of veneers in Southampton.

We can discuss the best treatment for your teeth when you come to Smilemakers for a consultation.

The longevity of veneers depends on a number of factors, which your dentist will discuss with you, but they can last up to 10 years before requiring replacement.

Veneers may require replacement earlier than this if they chip or crack, which is why it’s important to take good care of them. You should avoid putting too much pressure on them and make sure to brush and floss regularly, just like your natural teeth.

Though it isn’t likely, veneers can dislodge and fall off if they are damaged. To minimise the chance of this occurring, do not bite your nails or chew on pencils, ice cubes, or other hard objects, and never use your teeth as tools (e.g. for opening packaging).

It’s important to attend a consultation so a dentist can check that your teeth are suitable for veneers. During this appointment, we can discuss what you can achieve with veneers and what your alternative options might be, so you can make an informed decision about your dental health.

For example, individuals who clench and grind their teeth are poor candidates for porcelain veneers, as these activities can cause the veneers to crack or chip.

Additionally, even if you’re a good candidate, a different treatment might be more appropriate to achieve the results you’re hoping for. As mentioned, our smile makeovers can include orthodontic treatment to straighten teeth, or composite bonding as a more temporary solution (the veneer process usually isn’t reversible).

In many cases, discolouration is the main concern, but this is often treatable with teeth whitening. It may be possible to create a whiter smile by replacing old fillings with invisible fillings, or targeting white patches on teeth with ICON white spot treatment for a more even tooth colour.

Book your consultation today to find out which smile-enhancing treatment is right for you!