Dental Veneers in Esher and Wandsworth

A veneer is a very thin custom made moulding, made from porcelain, which is bonded to the front surface of your teeth. Veneers are often misunderstood for a full set of new teeth however, this is not the case. Dental veneers are a quick and very effective solution for chipped, crooked or stained teeth. They are also a great solution to treat gaps in between teeth when other forms of orthodontic treatment may not be suitable. 

Veneers are in fact a cosmetic treatment that is able to mimic the size, shape and colour of your teeth to create an overall natural look to your smile. You are able to choose an exact shade of porcelain, one that can perfectly match the rest of your teeth for a natural look. 

Veneers attach to the front surface of the teeth and have the added benefit of being able to straighten teeth, re-contour them and mask discolouration. They are significantly less invasive than dental crowns, often requiring minimal preparation of the tooth structure whilst achieving a dramatic improvement in appearance.

The procedure is extremely straightforward and once the moulds have been taken and sent to the lab, the magic begins! Our carefully selected lab technicians work hand in hand with the dentist and treat each veneer as a unique piece of art in order to produce a smile that you can be proud of.

All types of veneers are permanent which means the treatment is irreversible. Veneer shells are typically made primarily of porcelain however, there are a few different types of veneers available for you to choose from: 

• Composite Veneers
  Composite veneers are made of composite resin. The bonding material used to make composite resin veneers is the same as tooth-coloured fillings. While these are quite strong, composite veneers are not as durable as porcelain.
  
  Composite veneers are less expensive than porcelain veneers however, a great advantage of them is that they blend well in with your natural tooth colour. They are more prone to staining and do not last as long as other alternatives.
  
  Summary:
  These types of veneers are relatively durable but do not last as long as porcelain veneers. These are relatively strong and durable and they also require a less invasive procedure than porcelain veneers. Even though they do not last as long as porcelain veneers, are more stain prone and are weaker and require a more lengthy procedure, they have many advantages as they are easily repairable and less expensive.  
• Porcelain Veneers
  
  Porcelain veneers are the most popular veneers and are the most aesthetic, long-lasting and strongest of all veneer materials available. These veneers are usually used for smile makeovers as they significantly improve the appearance of your smile.
  
  Summary:
  Porcelain veneers are the most natural-looking, durable and the most popular option however they are also the most expensive. These veneers blend in the best with your natural tooth colour and are very long lasting.
   
• Lumineers
  
  Lumineers are a brand of veneers rather than a material. They are also made of very thin porcelain laminate material and these veneers minimal preparation before placement which means less natural tooth structure is removed before placing a lumineer over your tooth enamel.
  
  Summary:
  Lumineers are a more affordable brand of veneers that do not require tooth removal before placement. These are reversible however they a less natural looking than other alternatives and have a shorter lifespan than traditional veneers as they are more prone to damage and fracture.
  
  
  It is best to discuss the best choice of veneer material that will best suit your needs with your dentist. Depending on the types of problems you would like to fix and the type of look you want to achieve you may want to look into different materials for your veneers. 

There are a vast number of reasons why a dental veneer would be a great option for you.

Veneers are routinely used to fix:

• Teeth that are discoloured 
• Teeth that are worn down 
• Teeth that are misaligned, irregularly shaped or uneven 
• Teeth that are chipped or broken 
• Teeth with gaps between them Dental Veneer Procedure

Getting a dental veneer usually requires more than one trip to the dentist. It will take you up to three appointments to the dentist – one for a consultation and usually two to make and apply the veneers.

One tooth or many teeth are able to undergo the veneering process at the same time during the same appointment.

The cost of your veneer treatment depends on a variety of factors including:

• How many veneers you decide to get 
• The type of veneer material chosen 
• The dentist you decide to go to

On average, the process of veneer fitting from your initial consultation to final placement, usually takes from two to four weeks. At the first stage after your consultation, your dentist will examine your teeth and your temporary veneers will be immediately made. Your new set of teeth will then be prepared and your temporary veneers will be placed. Finally, your custom veneers will be fitted. This entire process will take place over two to four visits.

Once you have dental veneers, you will not be able to go back to your natural teeth. They are designed to remain in place for the rest of your life. There is a chance that some of your veneers may loosen, wear out or break. In that case you will need to have it replaced however, you can never have the treatment reversed. 

Why? When you get veneers your dentist will need to trim down the enamel of your natural teeth. Once this is done, the process cannot be reversed. Although this layer of enamel is quite thin, it still needs to be covered to protect the natural tooth which is why veneers become necessary.

• Dental veneers provide a very natural finish to a tooth that is chipped, misshapen, chipped or discoloured
• They are a long-lasting cosmetic solution for many dental issues
• The colour of porcelain can be chosen by you to either whiten the look of your teeth or to match the rest of your teeth almost identically, resulting in a very natural looking smile
• Porcelain veneers are also more stain resistant and durable than composite bonding and can last for many years if they are looked after properly
• Veneers offer a gentle approach to altering a tooth’s shape rather than its alternatives such as crowns.

Contact one of our practices in Wandsworth, South West London or Esher, Surrey to learn more about dental veneers.

While there are many advantages for getting dental veneers they are accompanied by a few disadvantages you need to be aware of before making the decision to get veneers.  

Disadvantages of dental veneers include:

• The process of getting veneers cannot be undone
• Veneers are generally more expensive than composite resin bonding
• Usually, veneers cannot be repaired if they get chipped or cracked
• As your enamel needs to be removed for veneers, your teeth are likely to become more sensitive to hot or cold foods and drinks
• The veneer colour cannot be altered once the veneer is in place. If you need to do any teeth whitening, you need to do so before getting your veneers
• People who grind of clench their teeth are very poor candidates for veneers as grinding can cause the veneers to crack or chip
• Teeth with veneers are still susceptible to decay 
• Although unlikely, veneers can break, chip or dislodge which means if this happens, you will need to get them replaced
• Veneers are not a good choice for everyone. Most people with unhealthy teeth are not good candidates for veneer treatment

Veneers are a perfect solution for you if you want to gain that beautiful smile that you have always wanted. They work as a solution for many individuals with various dental issues. While dental veneers are known for being very durable, veneers are not permanent. 

Your veneers are durable and designed to last many years. This is why your dental visits are very important to the health of your natural teeth as well as your veneers. Regular dental checkups will not only help maintain your natural teeth but also allow your dentist to monitor your dental restorations for potential damage or hazards to your veneers.

Despite the best efforts from your dentist, if you personally do not take the best care of your teeth, your dental veneers will wear out quicker than they should. The average lifespan of a dental veneer is about 10 years. With great care and treatment, it is possible that the time-frame can be lengthened, up to 20 years. However, if your veneers are chipped, cracked or simply worn down, you may have to replace your veneers early. 

Make sure that from the beginning you work with a cosmetic dentist that is experienced and that you trust. Having your veneers applied properly in the beginning will save you a lot of time and money and will ensure that you have a fantastic looking smile the first time and for a long time. 

Veneers can be used to treat a number of various cosmetic concerns. Chipped teeth are one of the many dental issues that porcelain veneers can fix. They offer an excellent, minimally invasive treatment option to prove the overall health of your mouth as well as the cosmetic appearance of your teeth.

You are able to get a veneer for just one tooth or you can choose to get an entire new set of teeth. It really just depends on your individual and personal needs as well as your budget. If it is a case of simply fixing one broken or chipped tooth, some patients may choose to just get one veneer, but may get between six to eight veneers in order to create a symmetrical and even smile. 

There are many people who refer to porcelain veneers as instant orthodontics because they offer instant orthodontic results. Within one procedure, your dentist can quickly attach very thin pieces of porcelain to the fronts of your teeth. They can be used for a range of purposes and can mend many dental problems such as gaps in between your teeth. 

If you’re looking to close gaps in teeth, conceal any stains or correct any dental cosmetic concerns, dental veneers would be a great option for you! The process is also quite simple. We capture impressions of the teeth and design a porcelain veneer to fill the gap. We remove a small amount of surface enamel and prepare the teeth on either side of the gap to receive porcelain veneers.

Porcelain veneers do not damage your natural teeth. In fact the veneers protect your natural teeth for any further decay or any other damage. Porcelain veneers are especially great for teeth that are already quite fragile, they serve as extra protection to the natural tooth. The porcelain lamination that is added around the teeth gives it extra strength.

There are three common alternative options to veneers, these are: 

Composite bonding: 

This is a fast and non-invasive procedure which is usually completed within one appointment. The procedure consists of a composite resin being attached to the tooth in order to restore its natural shape and colour. 

Crowns: 

A dental crown is essentially a tooth shaped cap which is placed over the entire visible portion of the tooth. A crown will feel and function just like any regular natural tooth. You are also able to choose a porcelain crown which will make the crown look the most natural and virtually indistinguishable from your other teeth.

Orthodontics:

There are various types of fixed or removable braces that can be used to straighten misaligned teeth and close any gaps you may have. The advances that have occurred in orthodontics means that you can have braces now that area is also virtually invisible, making the step to get your perfect smile that much easier and more comfortable for you. 

Dental veneers do not require any special care. Continue to follow good oral hygiene practices, including brushing, flossing, and rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash as you normally would.

Even though porcelain veneers resist stains, your dentist may recommend that you avoid stain-causing foods and beverages (for example, coffee, tea, or red wine).