Veneers
When to Choose Veneers?
Veneers are very versatile and can hide teeth that may be severely stained, slightly chipped or cracked, or which are too short or worn. They can also hide teeth that are less attractively shaped and can help to close or minimise unsightly gaps between teeth. Sometimes, just one or two teeth may be slightly out of alignment, and we can use veneers to bring them back into line. It can be a quicker and more appropriate solution than orthodontics.
There are two types of veneers available as we can fabricate them from porcelain or using composite resin.
Porcelain Veneers
Our porcelain veneers are beautiful, durable and stain-resistant, and with the proper care will last for years before they need replacing. They are custom-made in a dental laboratory using an impression of your teeth, creating a precision fitted restoration.
Usually, porcelain veneers take two or more appointments to create as we must prepare your teeth by removing a minimal amount of tooth structure. Tooth preparation is necessary as otherwise, your new veneers would look and feel too bulky.
Once we have carefully shaped your teeth, we take a dental impression to send to the laboratory along with other instructions, including the desired shade and shape. While your veneers are fabricated, we protect your teeth with temporary veneers. When the veneers are ready, you return to Icon Dental so we can try in your new veneers. After any necessary adjustments, we bond the veneers onto your teeth.
Composite Resin Veneers
Composite resin veneers are relatively hard-wearing but are not as durable as porcelain. They are a more cost-conscious choice but will need replacing more quickly. Sometimes we can complete treatment in a single appointment because the resin is applied directly to your tooth surfaces.
We can choose the exact shade of composite resin and may combine several shades to get a more precise match. After preparing your teeth by lightly etching the surfaces for veneers, we apply tooth coloured composite resin directly onto the tooth. A special light hardens the material so we can shape and polish it, creating a very natural lustre.
Ensuring you have regular examinations and cleanings and that you follow a good oral care routine at home will help your veneers to last longer.
