Dental Veneers: The Most Commonly Asked Questions

Smile, and the world smiles with you. But if you’re self-conscious about the appearance of your teeth, smiling is something you might not be so keen to do.

A great-looking smile can be a source of tremendous self-confidence. However, when you have stained, discoloured, or slightly misaligned and badly processed teeth, it can take your confidence away from you.

One way to get a smile you’ll feel great about is to have dental veneers. But what are veneers, and what do you need to know before you have the treatment?

Here are the answers to some of the most common questions about dental veneers.

What Is a Dental Veneer?

Dental veneers are fine porcelain shells that cover the front of your teeth, dramatically enhancing their appearance. Some people like to think of them as being false fingernails for the teeth.

You can have veneers placed on one or more teeth. Some people choose to have an entire smile makeover using veneers.

What Can Porcelain Veneers Treat?

Your dental veneers can improve the way your teeth look and address several problems all at once.

Staining and Discolouration

As our teeth age, the enamel thins. When this happens, the dentin below shows through, giving our teeth a yellow tint. Additionally, food, drink, and other lifestyle factors can cause staining. Veneers cover any unwelcome marks or yellowness, giving you a fresh smile.

Chips and Cracks

If your tooth is physically damaged due to trauma, a veneer can repair any chips or cracks, enhancing its appearance and reducing the risk of infection.

Minor Misalignments

Small gaps and minor misalignments can be tweaked using a fine porcelain veneer. In cases where veneers can’t help, we may recommend wearing an aligner to adjust the position of your teeth.

Mishappen Teeth

A tooth that looks smaller than it should or is mishappened can be fixed with veneers. By simply placing the veneer over the tooth, it’ll look more like its neighbours.

What’s the Difference Between a Dental Veneer and a Crown?

There’s sometimes confusion between crowns and veneers. Crowns are like caps that fully cover the tooth, whereas veneers are much finer and are just placed on the front of your teeth.

Placing a veneer takes less preparation than a crown.

What Are the Benefits Of Porcelain Veneers?

The benefits of dental veneers include:

• Giving you confidence in your smile
• Repairing minor dental issues such as chipped teeth
• The veneer placement procedure is simple, and only a small amount of enamel needs removing
• Veneers are customisable, meaning we can match yours to your existing teeth

How Long Do Dental Veneers Last?

The length of time your veneers will last depends on how well you take care of your teeth. With the proper care and attention, you can expect your veneers to last for a decade or more.

How Much Preparation Is Involved In Placing Dental Veneers?

To prepare your teeth for the veneers, we’ll need to remove a small amount of enamel from each tooth. This ensures that once placed, the veneer doesn’t make your tooth look too big.

Every veneer is custom-made. To ensure we get your veneers perfect, we’ll need to take impressions of your teeth. Once the veneers are ready, we’ll ensure they fit right before bonding them to your teeth.

Will My Porcelain Veneers Match the Rest of My Teeth?

Yes. We want your new smile to look completely natural. We’ll carefully colour-match the porcelain so that it’s in keeping with the rest of your smile.

Many patients choose to have their teeth whitened in conjunction with getting veneers. If you’re considering doing this, talk to us first. As you can’t whiten veneers, we’ll usually carry out any whitening treatments first.

Is Getting Porcelain Veneers Reversible?

To make way for your veneer, we’ll need to remove a small portion of the enamel from the tooth. Because of this, dental veneers are considered permanent.

If your veneer ever becomes worn down or breaks, we can replace it.

Can Dental Veneers Stain?

Because they’re not porous like your teeth, your veneers shouldn’t stain. That said, it’s always important to follow a proper oral hygiene routine to get the best out of your new smile.

Can I Still Get Cavities If I Have Veneers?

As veneers cover the front of your teeth, there’s still a chance that you could succumb to decay elsewhere on the tooth. It’s vital to maintain brushing and visit us for a regular checkup to ensure your teeth remain healthy.

How Do I Care for My Dental Veneers?

There’s no secret to looking after your veneers. You’ll keep the bad bacteria that cause tooth decay at bay by simply brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash twice daily.

To ensure your veneers are kept in the best condition, come and see us for a checkup often, and come in for a professional clean too.

Will My Teeth Feel Sensitive After Having Veneers?

Because we’ll remove a small amount of enamel from your teeth to make way for the veneers, you might feel some sensitivity to anything hot or cold for a period of time after the procedure.

This will usually subside after a few days, but it’s advisable to avoid eating or drinking anything that’s either too hot or too cold during this time.

Is There Anything I Can’t Eat Once I Have Veneers?

Veneers are delicate shells of porcelain. If you bite down too hard on something, it could cause damage. Proceed with care when biting or chewing anything hard, like nuts, and avoid biting pen lids or crunching on ice cubes.

Porcelain Veneers in Surrey

With clinics throughout the Surrey area, including at Cheam, Chessington, Sutton, Worcester Park, and Stonecot, Love Teeth should be your first choice for dental veneers.

Our skilled team have placed countless veneers, restoring confidence to many. If you’re ready to enjoy your smile like never before, call us today to schedule an appointment.