Quick Blog Summary
Dental veneers can be used to improve the look of chipped, stained, uneven or gapped teeth. The best option for you will depend on your individual dental health, your budget and what you’re hoping to achieve. The choices are pretty much down to porcelain veneers, composite bonding and whitening. Good oral hygiene and regular dental visits will of course go a long way to keeping your smile healthy and your veneers lasting as long as possible.
Introduction
Lena had a chipped front tooth for nearly three years. She worked out which angle she could take the tooth in to make it disappear in a photo. She tended to speak a little less in meetings and would laugh with her hand over her mouth. When a friend eventually asked her “Why don’t you ever smile any more?” she didn’t really have an answer. All she knew was that the tooth was an issue every single day.
She came in to see us at Contemporary Family Dentistry and the discussion that ensued was very much like the conversations we have with so many people on a monthly basis. She’d heard of veneers and was wondering if that was the right solution. She had a number of questions and a few of them were rather embarrassing to ask. Would it be painful? Would my teeth look fake? How long will they last? What if I don’t like them?
If you’re wondering the same things then you’re in the right place. Let’s go through what veneers are, who they’re for and what the process actually is like.
What dental veneers really are
A veneer is a very thin shell which bonds to the front of the tooth (think of it as a very thin fingernail). They’re usually made from porcelain or a composite resin. Porcelain looks very much like natural enamel and is quite stain resistant. Composite is generally cheaper and is much easier to fix or build up if required, but it doesn’t always last as long.
Veneers can alter the colour, shape, length and even the spacing of your front teeth. They can mask chips, close small gaps and cover stains that simply won’t come out with brushing or whitening. They’re one of the most popular treatments in cosmetic dentistry for a very good reason as they can provide a significant visual change with very little if any alteration to the teeth or bite.
Veneers are not a treatment for decay or gum disease. They are a covering for a tooth. They don’t address what’s going on beneath the surface. That’s why we always assess your teeth prior to even discussing veneers.
Who makes a good candidate
Veneers are a good option for people with healthy teeth and gums who simply want to improve the appearance of their smile. They’re often used in the case of stains that won’t respond to whitening, minor chips or cracks on the front teeth, small gaps between the teeth, or teeth that are short or worn down over time.
Some people are simply not good candidates. If you’re a severe teeth grinder then the veneers are likely to crack or chip. If you have active gum disease or untreated cavities those need to be dealt with prior to the veneers being placed. If your enamel is very thin we may recommend a different option or indeed recommend some extra protection.
As per the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, veneers are one of the most requested cosmetic procedures and their success is so much dependent on the state of the teeth and gums below.
We normally just ask a few straightforward questions. How do you feel about your teeth at the moment? What would you like to change? Do you have any habits (nail biting, chewing ice, grinding etc)? Those answers are what allow us to work out whether veneers are the right solution for you.
The first visit and planning
Your first visit is essentially about listening. We look at your teeth, your gums and your bite. We take photos and sometimes digital scans. A lot of patients will bring in old pictures of their smile as well which helps us to get a sense of what they liked about their teeth when they were younger.
We also talk about the look you’re after. Some people want a bright white smile, others want something that’s natural and blends in with their face. We show you the examples and go through the options very honestly. We’ll quite often be asked for a smile that’s too perfect and we’ll say that too. A veneer should be a good version of you, not some other person.
If we come across a cavity or a gum problem during the visit we’ll deal with that first. That may be a filling or a cleaning. It may seem like extra work but it does protect your investment in the veneers down the track.
What the process feels like
The vast majority of veneer treatment is done over two or three visits. The first step is generally a quick tooth prep where we remove a very small amount of enamel from the front of each tooth so that the veneer can sit flush and look natural. The amount removed is very small indeed, just the thickness of a fingernail or so (depending on the type of veneer). A lot of people are surprised at how little it actually is.
We’ll usually numb the area first so the patient predominantly feels pressure rather than pain. There’s a small amount of sensitivity to cold drinks that some people may experience afterwards, which normally settles within a few days or weeks. If it doesn’t then do get in touch.
Next we take the impressions/scans and send them off to the lab to make your custom veneers. In the meantime we may place some temporary veneers so you’re not walking around with all those bare prepared teeth. The temporaries are not as strong as the final veneers so be very careful with them. Avoid biting on hard foods and chewy candy.
At the last visit we check the fit, the colour and the shape. We’ll adjust the bite if necessary and make a few minor tweaks until it all feels right. The veneers are then bonded to your teeth with a strong dental adhesive and a special light. You’ll probably feel a bit of pressure as we place them but it’s generally quite comfortable.
What you may notice in the first few days
Your lips and cheeks may feel a bit different at first. Your speech may be a bit off for a day or two as your tongue gets used to the new surface. Most people settle in very quickly. Just give yourself a few days before you start to judge the end result.
Floss gently around the veneers initially as the edges need time to settle and vigorous flossing can actually loosen the bond.
How long veneers last and how to care for them
Porcelain veneers typically last 10 to 15 years (some will last longer with good care). Composite veneers generally need replacing much sooner, often within 5 to 7 years. These are all average figures so your actual experience will be down to your individual habits, your bite and how well you look after them.
Care is straightforward but it’s important. Brush twice a day with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste. Floss every day. Have your dentist do your regular cleanings and checkups so we can pick up on any small chips or loose edges as early as possible.
Be careful with your everyday habits. Using your teeth to open things, biting your nails, chewing ice etc can all lead to a veneer cracking. Coffee, tea and red wine will all stain the composite over time (porcelain is far more resistant to staining). If you grind at night then we can supply you with a night guard which will protect both your veneers and your natural teeth.
The ADA recommends that patients keep up with their regular dental visits as early checkups will help to catch small problems before they become larger ones requiring more extensive repair.
The honest side of veneers
Veneers are by no means without their drawbacks and we’d rather you heard them from us than from some other source. They do require the removal of a small amount of enamel so they’re not reversible. Once a tooth has a veneer it will always require some form of covering. They can chip or come loose and in some cases repairs are necessary. Some people initially find their teeth look a bit too even but most get used to it.
Cost is another very real factor. Veneers are an investment and the price will vary according to the material, the number of teeth and the lab. Many practices will offer payment plans and you don’t have to do all your teeth at once. Some patients will start with the most visible teeth and then add on more as they go.
Think about whether you’re doing it for yourself or whether someone else wants a particular look. The best results invariably come from people who are doing it for themselves and who are happy with the change.
Alternatives to think about
Veneers aren’t the only option. Whitening can deal with surface stains and is a good option if your teeth are in good health and you just need a bit of a brighter shade. Bonding can be used to fix small chips and gaps in one visit with minimal enamel removal. Clear aligners can be used to close gaps and straighten teeth prior to veneers. Sometimes a combination of the above is the best way to go.
We don’t believe in one size fits all. If bonding is the answer we’ll tell you that. If whitening is sufficient then you don’t need veneers.
The MouthHealthy site from the ADA encourages patients to ask their dentist about all the treatment options (including cost, expected outcome and maintenance) prior to committing to any treatment.
What happened with Lena
Lena had porcelain veneers on her two front teeth. That took about three weeks from first visit to final bonding. She was a bit nervous about the tooth prep but it was far less daunting than she’d anticipated and the numbing made it quite comfortable. The temporaries were a bit bulky at first so she did go on a soft diet for a couple of days.
Three months later she sent us a photo from a family dinner. She’s leaning back, laughing properly and her full smile is on show. The thing she wanted most was to stop checking her reflection every time she laughed.
Not every story will go quite as smoothly and that’s absolutely fine. What’s important is that Lena understood each step and was comfortable asking the questions.
Wrapping up
Dental veneers can be a very good option for someone who wants a brighter, straighter or more even smile. They’re ideal for healthy teeth and gums and do require good daily care as well as a bit of care when it comes to habits such as chewing on ice. They are an investment and the decision should be one that feels right for you.
If you’re looking at veneers then the first thing to do is have a chat. Take your questions, your photos and your concerns. Be honest about what’s bothering you and what you’re hoping to achieve.
Book in for a consultation with us and we’ll examine your teeth, go through your options in straightforward terms and then help you to decide whether veneers are right for you.
FAQs
Do veneers hurt when they are placed?
Most people don’t actually feel any pain at all during placement. We’ll numb the area prior to removing any enamel so it’s essentially just pressure and some vibration. A bit of sensitivity to hot and cold is quite normal for a few days afterwards. Let us know if the discomfort goes on beyond that.
Can veneers be removed later?
Once enamel has been removed for a veneer then that tooth is going to need some form of covering from that point on. A veneer can be replaced or repaired but it can’t simply be taken off and the tooth returned to its original state. That’s one of the reasons we take the time to go through the decision properly before we start.
Will my veneers look natural?
They can (particularly when you’re planning the shape, colour and size in relation to your face and your existing teeth). Porcelain will tend to be the most natural looking. Your dentist can show you some examples and make alterations during the try in so you can see how it fits your smile prior to any bonding taking place.
How do I know whether I need veneers or something cheaper?
Start with an exam. If your issue is just surface staining then whitening will probably be all you need. A small chip or gap can often be dealt with by bonding. Veneers are the right option when the change you’re after is more significant or when you need more coverage. We’ll be absolutely frank about which option is right for you.
What should I eat after I get my veneers?
Most people can eat normally once the veneers are bonded. For the first day or two, go easy on very hard or sticky foods while your mouth adjusts. Avoid biting into hard things like nuts, ice, or hard candy, and cut crunchy foods like apples into smaller pieces. Your dentist will go over any specific instructions for your treatment.
