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Dental Veneers FAQs

There’s a fast, cost-efficient and effective way to get the smile you’ve always dreamed of. So, if you’re unhappy with the way your teeth look; they may be misshaped, crooked, too big, too small or discoloured, then Summertown Dental & Implants would urge you to consider dental veneers in Oxford for a younger, fresher looking smile.

What is a dental veneer?

A dental veneer is an ultra-thin shell of tooth-coloured porcelain or composite fixed over the surfaces of your teeth to correct dental problems including worn tooth enamel, tooth discoloration, chips or cracks and uneven tooth alignment or spacing.

What are the benefits of dental veneers?

Dental veneers fall into the category of cosmetic dentistry because they help makeover smiles with beautifully aligned, shapely teeth giving patients the Hollywood smile of their dreams. But they don’t just offer a cosmetic improvement to your smile, they also provide protective qualities and may eliminate the need for more extensive dental treatments. Other benefits include durability, an improved smile appearance, and the protection of a tooth’s structure compared to dental crowns.

What dental problems can veneers solve?

• Worn enamel: Tooth enamel often wears or is dulled naturally over time and drinking fizzy drinks, tea or coffee, smoking and the use of certain medications or simply having certain genes, can make things worse. Dental veneers are perfect for correcting smiles affected by worn enamel.
• Uneven teeth: Uneven teeth can result from the grinding of teeth, and through general wear and tear. This can lead to bite issues known as malocclusions in addition to cosmetic smile issues.
• Wear and tear: As we age, our teeth naturally begin to wear down. Aged teeth are more likely to have chips, cracks or a generally uneven appearance. Dental veneers restore the natural appearance of healthy, young-looking teeth.
• Genetics: Certain people are born with abnormal spacing between their teeth that widens with age.
• Discolouration: Stubborn tooth discoloration may not be fully correctable through teeth whitening. In such cases, veneers can offer a simple, cosmetic solution.

What happens at my first dental veneer consultation?

At your initial consultation, you and your Oxford dentist, will discuss the smile design process. By sharing your preferences for the shape, length, width and colour of the veneers and the change in the appearance of your smile, you help ensure the treatment will meet your expectations. Once your Summertown Dental & Implants dentist understands your smile objectives we’ll show you what your new smile will look like via our smile design software. You get the chance to fine tune your new look down to the finest detail and get to see the new look before treatment even begins!

What’s the procedure for dental veneers?

The dental veneer procedure is typically completed in two visits over the course of six weeks. The visits are comprehensive and may require several hours of examination and tooth preparation. At Summertown Dental & Implants in Oxford we have created a relaxed spa-like atmosphere to help you relax and stay comfortable.

The diagnostic and examination phase of treatment is essential and identifies any oral health concerns that must first be addressed before veneer placement. Your dentist also will work with you to select the best tooth colour for you from a special shade chart. Imaging technologies can provide you with a preview of your expected results, and before and after images can allow you to view other successful cases. Treatment begins when the examination is completed and the customized plan designed.

What’s the treatment process for dental veneers?

Dental practices typically offer porcelain veneers so the first thing your dentist will do is make an impression of your teeth from a mould of your mouth. We then send the impression to an outside dental laboratory where the veneers will be professionally fabricated.

A local anaesthetic is administered so you’ll feel no pain during the tooth preparation and placement of the veneer. Your natural tooth is then prepared by minimally reshaping it with a small handheld rotational cutting device called a bur to ensure the best fit. Burs come in various shapes and sizes and allow precise and minimal shaping of a tooth prior to placement.

At Summertown Dental & Implants in Oxford we use Emax® veneers which are pressed ceramic and their high strength and durability make it possible to produce them in very thin layers allowing little or no drilling of the teeth. One of the biggest advantages of Emax® veneers is avoiding drilling teeth to peg shapes, as can be the case with conventional porcelain veneers.

If your treatment involves direct composite resin veneers, your dentist will apply the appropriately shaded composite to your teeth, shape the material and harden it using a high intensity light. Additional layers of composite may be applied to build the veneer to the correct shape, length and form for your smile. When all composite is placed, the veneers will be finished and polished using burs and polishers to create a vital and lifelike smile.

What’s the benefit of chair-side CAD/CAM technology for dental veneers?

When dentists use CAD/CAM technology to produce restorations, they’ll be fabricated, bonded and adjusted onto your teeth in one visit. This type of treatment is often called “same-day dentistry” and does not require temporaries.

Is there any pain once the dental veneers are placed?

After your teeth are shaped, they may be more sensitive to hot and cold due to the loss of enamel during tooth preparation. Increased sensitivity may also occur if you have temporaries placed and for a brief time following placement of the final veneers.

What’s the difference between a veneer and a crown?

Veneers are very thin layers of ceramic that are added to the surface of a person’s front teeth and are considered more of a cosmetic dental treatment. The end results produce stunning, white, perfectly straight teeth for that Hollywood smile result.  A crown covers the entire visible surface of the tooth and adds strength and stability. A crown can be used to repair a tooth that has been worn. Teeth grinding, an improper bite, age, fillings and tooth decay are a few common reasons for tooth wear.

How long do dental veneers last?

Veneers are durable and have been shown to last for many years before requiring replacement. Seeing your Summertown Dental & implants dentist and dental hygienist in Oxford for regular examinations and dental cleanings is important for maintaining the health of your mouth and longevity of your restorations.

What’s the best way to care for dental veneers?

Aftercare is extremely important. Chipped or fractured veneers cannot be repaired, so your dentist will advise you of the costs and added time associated with replacing a damaged restoration.

To reduce the risk of damage, do not bite or chew on hard objects such as nut shells or bones, and do not use your teeth to open or tear packages. Your dentist also may advise you to avoid certain foods that could cause damage.

Brush and floss your teeth as you normally would and be sure to use a non-abrasive toothpaste. Because veneers are highly polishable, the risk of staining them with food or drink after the procedure is complete is greatly reduced. However, brushing after drinking red wine, coffee, tea or fizzy drinks is advisable.

I’m interested in Dental Veneers, what’s my next move?

Contact Summertown Dental & Implants today to arrange your dental veneers consultation or book a free video consultation.