How are veneers fitted?

How are veneers fitted?

Whether it was a celebrity, colleague, friend or family member, you’ve probably seen someone suddenly arrive with suspiciously bright white, perfectly straight teeth… How did they get so white? Are they their real teeth? The probability is that they’ve got themselves veneers, and like most people with veneers, they can’t stop smiling about them, which is why you now want them too!

Luckily, you can! Veneers are a simple dental procedure that requires just a couple of sessions, so you can get the teeth you’ve always dreamed of. Here’s what they are and how they’re fitted so you can see why they might be the best option for you!

What are veneers?

There are two types of veneers:

• Porcelain veneers.
• Composite veneers.

Porcelain veneers are by far the most common as they’re longer lasting and offer great results, especially if you want to fix the shape of your teeth as well as brighten them up. Porcelain veneers are thin porcelain caps that cover your teeth and are bonded to them with a special gel to make sure they’re set and don’t move or have any gaps that food can get stuck in. Once they’re in, they look exactly like real teeth!

But to cover your teeth in a natural-looking way, for porcelain veneers to be fitted, your real teeth need to be worn down slightly to make room for the new tooth-looking covers.

Composite veneers are made using a process known as composite bonding or dental bonding. Rather than wearing down your teeth, a composite resin is applied to your teeth to repair cracks and chips, and improve the overall appearance of your natural teeth. As it’s less invasive, it’s also more cost-effective, and often more natural in appearance. But it doesn’t give the glamorous, perfect smile that porcelain veneers provide.

Both porcelain and composite veneers can be made in various shades of white to give a more natural appearance, and the materials used prevent stains more easily than your real teeth.

How are veneers fitted?

Porcelain veneers will take a couple of sessions, while composite veneers can be made in just a single appointment. As the most popular option, let’s look at how porcelain veneers are fitted.

The first step for most dental procedures is to take an X-ray of your teeth, so the dentist can see exactly what state your teeth are in and make adjustments to the treatment accordingly. Your veneers will be made to measure, so your dentist will then take an impression of your teeth using dental putty. In this initial appointment, you’ll also discuss with your dentist what your dream teeth will look like, so they can match the colour to your original teeth or make them your desired shade.

Then, the dentist will administer a numbing gel and, in some cases, administer a local anaesthetic, before shaving away your tooth enamel, ready for your new veneers to be fitted. Another impression of your teeth will be taken so the veneers will fit perfectly over your natural teeth. The impressions will then be collected, ready to be made into your veneers; however, this can take up to a few weeks, so the dentist will fit you with temporary veneers until your unique set is ready to be fitted.

In your next appointment, you’ll have your new, personalised veneers fitted. The temporary ones will be removed, and a special glue will be used to fix the veneers to your natural teeth. It just takes a few minutes for the veneers to set once in place.

Once in place, you’re ready to go! It may take a couple of days to get used to your new teeth, especially if your natural teeth were chipped or broken, but you’ll adjust in no time at all, as well as get your confidence back, thanks to your shiny new teeth.

How much do veneers cost?

Veneers can be expensive, but it depends on what type of veneers you get and where you have them done. Generally, porcelain veneers cost between £400 and £1000 per tooth, although there are also options for the material you use. At the Eye and Dental Clinic, each tooth costs £690-790 for porcelain veneers, depending on the material chosen. With 28 teeth in an adult’s mouth, not including wisdom teeth, a full set of veneers can be expensive, but most dentists will be able to work out a payment plan with you.

Composite veneers are cheaper, usually at £300 to £400 per tooth. At the Eye and Dental Clinic, each tooth costs £200 to £300, with the lower price for fixing teeth and the higher price for full tooth coverage.

There may be additional costs if you have additional treatments, such as tooth whitening, so your new teeth fit better with your natural teeth. Or, if you’re having a full set of porcelain veneers, you may also need to have a dental implant if you have any teeth missing.

Can anyone get veneers?

Veneers are available for anyone over the age of 18 and are highly recommended for anyone suffering from anxiety or feeling self-conscious about their uneven, chipped or stained teeth. However, as veneers are caps that cover your natural teeth, if you have missing teeth, you won’t be able to get veneers straight away. Instead, you’ll need to have a dental implant, which is embedded in your jaw like a real tooth and has a crown placed over the top to resemble a real tooth. Your veneers can then be fitted around the new tooth.

If you have any dental issues like gum disease or a dental infection that requires a root canal, for example, your dentist will highlight these issues in your initial consultation and will need to resolve these problems before going ahead with your veneers. This is both to ensure your comfort during the procedure and to ensure the veneers will fit well and last as long as possible. Fortunately, both gum disease and dental infections can be treated easily with antibiotics or minor procedures to reduce inflammation. You’ll also be advised on how to take better care of your oral health to ensure the problem doesn’t come back.

How long do veneers last?

As the cheaper type of veneers, composite veneers don’t last as long as porcelain ones, at around 5 to 7 years when cared for properly. Porcelain veneers can last from 10 to 15 years when looked after well. Looking after veneers is very similar to looking after your natural teeth, making sure you eat well and maintain good dental hygiene.

Some tips for looking after your veneers include:

• Brush your teeth when you wake up and before you go to bed.
• Floss and rinse with mouthwash daily.
• See a dental hygienist once every 6 months.
• Avoid very chewy foods like toffees.
• Never use your teeth as tools, such as to cut tape or open bottles.
• Don’t smoke.
• Cut down on foods that easily stain, such as soy sauce, red wine and tomato-based sauces.

By following these steps, you’ll keep your veneers looking white and remaining durable for longer.

About the Eye and Dental Clinic

Not only can you have routine dental check-ups and cosmetic procedures, but you can also have emergency dental treatment at the Eye and Dental Clinic in Bury! Simply give us a call Monday to Friday between 9 am and 5.30 pm, and we’ll fit you into our schedule for emergency dental treatment.

If you experience a dental emergency out-of-hours, give 111 a call to find out about out-of-hours emergency dentists near you, or if you’re experiencing severe blood loss or difficulty breathing, head to your nearest emergency centre immediately.

As time is often limited and dentistry requires expensive equipment, we have to ensure our practice is protected against wasted time. As such, we require deposits for most appointments and have a cancelled or missed appointments policy that you should note before making your appointment.

You can also take a look at our complaints procedure if you’ve experienced unsatisfactory treatment.

Finally

Veneers are an excellent way to fix your smile, so what are you waiting for? Book your appointment today so you can get the beautiful smile you deserve.

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