What is a Veneer?

A dental veneer is a thin strip of material used to cover up the front of a tooth, often one that is at the front of the mouth. They are primarily used to enhance the aesthetic appeal of patients’ smiles and are usually made from porcelain.

Dental veneers are used in cases where patients have chipped, cracked, broken or stained teeth and are concerned about the look of their smile. If the tooth which needs covering is so damaged that it cannot function then it should be removed or subject to a restorative procedure; if it still functions yet is unsightly then dental veneers may be used.

A tooth can crack or become chipped as the result of an accident affecting the mouth. Teeth may become stained because of practices such as drinking cola, red wine, tea or coffee and smoking tobacco, the cumulative effects of which are that your teeth will become discoloured. In this case, dentists sometimes recommend that a treatment of teeth whitening is preferable as sometimes a little of the existing tooth has to be removed in order to accommodate the veneer.

Some modern porcelain veneers are so thin that this is often not necessary anymore. The choice of material allows them to be so thin, as even a small amount of porcelain is durable and very light as well. It is also versatile substance and your dentist will be able to alter your porcelain veneer so it looks incredibly natural alongside your other teeth.

They are held in place by string dental resin and can be cared for just like the rest of your teeth. Modern procedures mean that it is more convenient than ever to have them fitted too. CEREC techniques allow your dentist to send the data about your mouth to an online milling machine which will fabricate a dental veneer in only six minutes, ready to be fitted.

If you are concerned about a chipped, cracked or stained tooth in your mouth, talk to your dentist about whether dental veneers are the best option for you.