Veneers FAQ

These are very thin slices of porcelain, a very strong version of the porcelain used in vases, which is translucent, giving veneers the appearance of natural teeth. These can be given a shade to exactly match the color of your natural teeth or you can choose a whiter shade. They are applied to the front of teeth to create a more attractive, gleaming smile. Veneers are very durable and with good dental hygiene could last 10-15 years.

Beyond brightening up your smile and giving you new confidence, veneers are used for a wide variety of specific dental problems. They can cover gaps between teeth, teeth that have been chipped, cracked, or worn down, are misshapen, too small or too large, crooked relative to the neighboring teeth, and those that are severely discolored even after professional whitening. Veneers can also be a solution when a tooth has a very large filling that is not lasting or needs repair. They are similar to crowns in providing coverage for certain aspects of the teeth that need more than just a filling.

First, you need a full dental examination to be sure that your overall oral health is good, in case issues need to be addressed like periodontal disease or sufficient misalignment that the bite needs to be straightened first. If dark roots are showing for the teeth that will be visible, or you want them to have a whiter shade, professional whitening will need to be done in advance.

If you are ready to go ahead with veneers, we will prepare the teeth, then take an impression mold of the area that will receive the veneers. You will wear a set of temporary veneers to make sure the fit is comfortable, while the mold is sent to a top dental laboratory to craft the final version. Once the veneers are ready, they are tried on to make sure they fit clinically as well as aesthetically. When that is confirmed, they are attached to the teeth with dental bonding cement, which is hardened with a special light.

For the first couple of weeks as the veneers settle in, it is best to avoid foods that can damage them, like popcorn, nuts, seeds, hard candy, bones, hard biscuits, and apples. Stop bad habits like pulling clothes on or off with your teeth or chewing on pens or pencils. Veneers are very stain resistant, but if you smoke, consume dark beverages (red wine, coffee, tea) or foods (blueberries, tomatoes, curries), you should drink water and brush afterwards.