Dental Veneers

There's no reason to put up with a crooked smile when dental veneers can easily transform it into a bright, white set of beautifully aligned teeth. Veneers can enhance the appearance, strength and durability of a damaged tooth and are especially useful for repairing chipped, cracked or worn teeth.

Veneers are ultra-thin, tooth-coloured custom-designed ceramic material shell-like facings made to fit a problem tooth. They are bonded directly to the front and top surfaces of teeth. They can cover severe cases of worn tooth enamel, uneven tooth alignment, gaps, chips and cracks. Veneers are thinner than full crowns and require minimal tooth reshaping for bonding onto the tooth.

Regardless of the cause of unattractive teeth, porcelain veneers are a great option in treating most cosmetic dental issues. They are versatile and straightforward, and advancements in their translucent ceramic quality provide an even more natural look than in the past.

Veneers can be in any shape or colour, so you can sit down with your HBDS dentist and design your smile as you want it.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Will veneers look like natural teeth?

    When bonded to teeth, the ultra-thin porcelain veneers are virtually undetectable. Because they are thin, light can shine through them, and they take on the natural colour of the underlying tooth. Unlike natural teeth, they are resistant to coffee, tea and even cigarette stains.

  • How durable are they?

    Dental veneers can last up to 15 years, depending on the quality of material used and how well you look after them. Like your natural teeth, dental veneers require regular cleaning, flossing and routine checkups. Eventually, they will need replacement, but with proper care, porcelain veneers should brighten your smile for over a decade.

The Procedure

  • We will discuss all aspects of this procedure with you in detail so that you can take an active role in your new smile design. We'll chat about your expectations and treatment plan.

  • The second appointment will take one to two hours, depending on the number of veneers to prepare. Although the porcelain veneer is almost paper-thin, we mildly shape the teeth to allow for the added thickness. Approximately half a millimetre of the tooth is removed, which may require some local anaesthesia. We then make a mould of the teeth and send it to the laboratory for fabrication. In some cases, we'll fit a temporary veneer, allowing you to assess your new teeth' shape, fit, and look. The permanent veneers should be ready in about two weeks.

  • Depending on the number of veneers, the last appointment also takes around one to two hours. First, we place the veneers on your teeth with water or glycerine to check the fit and colour. If you are not happy, we can still ask the laboratory technician to make changes at this point.

    Once the colour and shape are determined, we are ready to apply the veneers. The teeth are cleaned with specific chemicals to achieve a bond. We use a special bonding cement between the teeth and veneers and cure it with a visible light beam.

    Maintenance of your new smile

  • Keeping a good home care regimen ensures the best aesthetic success of your treatment. Don't be afraid that you will damage your veneers. Brush and floss as you usually would with a non-abrasive toothpaste.

    You may experience some sensitivity to hot and cold after fitting your veneers. This is due to the small amount of enamel left on the tooth after preparation. Sensitivity is normal and should dissipate within a week or two. If the sensitivity persists, please contact us.

Aesthetic Dentistry