Dental laminate veneers are thin covers made of porcelain used to recreate a natural looking great smile. At the same time, porcelain veneers are providing strength and resilience comparable to natural tooth enamel. It is often the material of choice for those looking to make slight position alterations, or to completely change tooth shape, size, and/or colour and get that desirable smile they always dreamed of. This is the method by which most celebrities acquire their dazzling smile.
The following Video explain the most important aspects of the procedure:
I am interested to see if I am suitable for veneers, what should I do?
Visiting a cosmetic dentist and asking about veneers is the first step in determining if veneers are the right option for you. At our dental practice in Market Rasen we offer a completely free cosmetic consultation for everyone. During this free dental consultation we will discuss with you everything you need to know about dental veneers. This conversation includes:
- If porcelain laminate veneers are indicated for you.
- If your desired smile would have benefit from other methods of cosmetic dentistry.
- If you are suitable for veneers, which veneers are best for you? Porcelain laminate veneers? Non-prep veneers? Lumineers? Snap on smile? There is a lot to know and not everybody is the same.
Communication with your dentist about what you want corrected, is critical for a successful result. Spend time clearly identifying what cosmetic improvements you want to accomplish.
The free cosmetic consultation includes dental photos and radiographs where necessary, all free of charge.
What if I do the veneers and then I do not like my smile? How will I cope with teeth that are not the smile I was hoping to get? What if they are the wrong shape and colour according to my taste?
It would be a great shame to go for cosmetic improvement and end up unhappy and full of regret. This would only happen to you if you had your veneers made at the wrong dentist.
At You Smile, our cosmetic dentist and owner and principal dentist Dr Defkalion Alexakis, offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and not only by words, but by method.
We follow the following procedure for all the dental veneers we create.
- Your existing teeth are photographed and recreated with models.
- On top of those, our very experienced cosmetic laboratoty (Cherry laboratory/Nottingham) (this is link) will build up of wax for the proposed smile design and send the models for your first opinion.
- After possible small changes we can decide together looking at the proposed smile, the dental laboratory will make for us the base for temporary veneers.
- We will discuss the intended shade together using a shade guide and mirror.
- Immediately after your teeth preparation (if any is needed), we will instantly recreate the temporary veneers as an exact copycat of the models you have inspected and in the shade we chose.
- Now you get to see directly on yourself by looking in the mirror how exactly your final veneers could look like if we did no further change.
- The magic thing here is that you can comment and the cosmetic dentist will instantly do the changes you might desire by slightly adjusting your temporaries while worn.
- You even see the colour we chose if it would be how you imagined it.
- You can even spend the next few days at home having a relaxed look and getting to be sure if you like your temporary smile.
- When and only when you are 100% sure that this what you like, all the changes or not can be send to the lab (using another impression over your amended temporaries if required) and the lab will produce the final veneers from porcelain that will be the exact copycat of your approved temporaries.
As you can see the final result goes through many steps of pre-inspection and is extremely controlled by all parts, dentist, dental technician and of course from you.
The above procedure is called Smile design and is only performed well by good private dentists that have post-graduation training in cosmetic dentistry and smile design.
Dr Defkalion Alexakis has graduated one of the most highly rated cosmetic courses: Advanced Anterior and Restorative Dentistry, by Dr Bazil Mizrahi (link), a top, world-class cosmetic dentist/tutor in London. (Practice name Harley street-link to the course.
What are Dental veneers made of? What exactly will be going on my teeth?
Porcelain laminate veneers consist of a compilation of several thin ceramic layers which replace original tooth enamel, and an adhesive layer. To apply a veneer, a very small amount of the original tooth enamel must be removed, usually less than a millimetre. This is essential as it creates room for the porcelain veneer to fit within the mouth and most accurately restore natural tooth function while creating an even better appearance than the original tooth.
The bond between original tooth and porcelain veneer is critical as it not only provides the aesthetic perfection desired, but also a strong bond which is essential for correct veneer function. Light-sensitive resin is placed between the original tooth and the veneer and then hardened using a special curing light.
What are the most common indications for having porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers are a very successful option in many situations where the original tooth has developed poor colour, shape, and contours. It is also a good choice for fractured teeth, gaps between teeth, and in some situations where the tooth position is compromised and there are minor bite-related problems. For some people, superficial stains do not respond well to tooth whitening or bleaching. In these situations, a porcelain veneer may be the best option.
What are MINIMAL PREP OR “NO-PREP” VENEERS ??
Some patients are looking for an alternative to traditional dental veneers or bonding, but be aware that this treatment option is not appropriate for everyone.
"No-prep" or minimal preparation veneers are so called because they typically don’t require the dentist to remove as much tooth material, if any at all. These are bonded to the front surface of your teeth like normal porcelain veneers. Often, the placement of no-prep veneers can be done more quickly and with less discomfort than traditional veneers. We emphasize again that this method has a lot of pre-requisites that your cosmetic dentist must discuss with you from before. If you are a good candidate for minimal preparation or "no-prep" veneers then this option makes a sensible treatment plan as it is easier and less invasive.
What are the benefits of having veneers?
- Since veneers are individually sculpted for each patient, it is nearly impossible to tell the difference between a veneer and a natural tooth. Unlike natural teeth, custom-made veneers resist coffee and tea stains, and cigarette smoke because they are made of high-tech materials.
- With veneers—as opposed to crowns—your natural teeth remain largely intact with only a minimal amount being altered to fit the veneer.
- For teeth that resist whitening, veneers can make even the darkest teeth appear bright white.
- Dentists may also recommend veneers to quickly fix minor twists, overlaps, and small gaps.when you are 100% sure that this what you like, all the changes or not can be send to the lab (using another impression over your amended temporaries if required) and the lab will produce the final veneers from porcelain that will be the exact copycat of your approved temporaries.
What are the potential downsides of having veneers?
- Because a portion of the original tooth enamel is reduced, a veneer is not considered a reversible treatment. Although adjustments and even new veneers can be made, you can never reliably return to the original condition of your teeth. There is an exemption here with completely non-prep veneers.
- Creating porcelain veneers requires some laboratory time, so expect at least 2 weeks before they’re ready to be applied. Still the temporaries we make at You Smile Dental Care are made, as discussed before at their best and much resemble the desired result.
- After the porcelain veneers are attached you will probably have some sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures due to the removal of that thin layer of enamel. This typically disappears within a few days. In a healthy mouth properly treated with porcelain veneers—and where destructive forces are minimized or eliminated—a patient should be able to use porcelain veneers like his or her own teeth. Although they’re very strong, veneers are also brittle. You should avoid the same excessive stresses you would avoid with non-veneered teeth: don’t bite your fingernails, chew ice, or open beer bottles with your veneers!
How do I maintain my new porcelain veneers?
Maintaining porcelain veneers is actually quite simple: Treat them as you would your original teeth, with routine brushing and flossing. Using non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste will typically be suggested by your dental professional.
One week after your veneers are placed, you will be required to return to the office for a follow-up visit and evaluation so the dentist can see how your mouth is reacting to the veneers. Even if you feel the veneers are a success, this appointment is vital to your future oral health. With your permission, we also organize taking your after photos and possibly a video testimonial that day.
If you have a habit of grinding or clenching your teeth, your dentist may fit you with a night-time bite guard so you do not damage your veneers.
You should also return to your dentist for regular professional maintenance because porcelain veneers should be polished with a specially formulated, non-abrasive paste, and because your dentist needs to inspect your dentistry for any sign of potential failure.
