Dental Veneers

What are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are generally used for cosmetic reasons, they are a customised shell that is made out of either porcelain or composite resin. These fit over your teeth, similar to the way a false nail fits over a fingernail, improving the overall appearance of your teeth. If you have teeth that are damaged in any way, such as chipped, stained, or misshapen, dental veneers are definitely a contender for fixing your smile.

Dental veneers improve the colour, shape and position of your teeth, helping you feel more confident and proud of your smile. There are cases where you only need one or two teeth fixing, which is perfectly fine when it comes to veneers. Before fitting we will choose the perfect shade of white to match your current teeth, making sure you are left with a smile fit for you. Veneers are a great resolution to various problems you may have with your teeth, leaving them looking natural, strong and healthy.

Looking After Your Veneers

Although your dental veneers are made out of artificial material, it is still extremely important to maintain them and keep them in the best condition possible. They are still attached to your natural tooth and surrounded by your gums, so hygiene is really important. The tooth underneath is still susceptible to decay and your gums can still succumb to gum disease. Maintenance for your porcelain or composite veneers includes:

• Brushing your teeth twice a day
• Flossing once a day
• Replacing your toothbrush every 3 months
• Attending your regular dental checkups
• Stopping smoking
• Limiting the amount of tea, coffee and red wine you drink to prevent staining (and wash down with water on the occasions you do have them)

Good hygiene is extremely important for everyone, and after spending so much time and money on veneers it would be a shame to ruin them by not investing in your oral health.

Types of Dental Veneers

Composite and porcelain veneers are a lifelong commitment, so it’s important to know exactly what type of veneer suits you. Once you opt for veneers, you have them for life. With good maintenance, veneers can last up to 20 years, subject to age and circumstances. You may require a few new veneers over your lifetime if any issues occur. Any faults must be replaced as the natural enamel on the tooth has been worn away, so it isn’t strong enough to stand alone.

Composite

Composite veneers are often used to fix smaller cosmetic issues, such as a chip or a crack in your teeth. Composite veneers are made out of the same material that is used by dentists for white fillings, made for you by the dentist while you are in the chair. The dentist will carefully craft up the veneer, building up layers of the material and curing it with a light to harden the composite. The dentist will then be able to fit, polish and shape the veneers for a finish that looks natural and will last.

Composite veneers give you an instant result, without the waiting process of having a specialists technician create the veneers for you. Composite can be used for a complete smile makeover, however it is most commonly used to alter crooked teeth and cover up a gap to improve your smile. Porcelain veneers are better suited for larger smile alterations, while composites work well for smaller areas.

Porcelain

Porcelain veneers are believed to offer the best equivalent to natural teeth. This is because it gives the same look, sheen and feel as teeth, therefore giving it a more natural appearance. Due to being versatile in their application, they can offer a solution to improving the colour, shape and look of your teeth. This results in impressive changes to your smile.

The process of getting porcelain veneers is longer than composite, with a specialist technician having to create them in their lab. The process of porcelain veneers is as follows:

1. 1. Remove a small amount of tooth surface – this is done to ensure there is room on the tooth for the placement of the veneer. Your dentist will do this for you, ensuring there is no unnecessary damage to the tooth and that there is ample room for the veneer.
   2. Impression – an impression is taken of the teeth where veneers will be fitted. This exact impression of your mouth is then made and sent off to the dental laboratory.
   3. Dental veneer made – at the dental laboratory, they will then use the impression that has been made to create an exact match for your teeth. This is to ensure that the veneers are made at the right size, shape, and colour for your mouth.
   4. Fitting – the veneer is then bonded to the tooth. This is done by using resin cement, and ensures that your veneers are comfortable and stable in your mouth.

Dental Veneers Barnsley

At Churchfield Dental Centre, we are happy to provide our dental veneer services to people in and around Barnsley. Our central location means most people have easy access to us and our high quality services. We are happy to fit both porcelain and composite veneers depending on your preference, budget, and situation. For more information on our services, get in touch with us today.