What is a Dental Veneer?
A dental veneer is a thin, durable porcelain shell that is custom-made to cover the front surface of a tooth.
Designed to blend in seamlessly with your natural teeth, veneers are used to help improve the appearance of teeth that are damaged, stained, or worn down.
They can also close small gaps, lengthen teeth that appear short, and even correct the look of crooked or misshapen teeth, without the need for braces.
Because they are customized to match the colour, shape, and size of your natural teeth, veneers offer a subtle and realistic enhancement to your smile. They reflect light like natural enamel, creating a bright, symmetrical, and balanced smile.
In addition to their natural appearance, veneers are also stain-resistant and durable, making them a great option for those looking to achieve a long-term transformation in the look and feel of their smile.
The Veneers Process
The veneers process begins with a consultation, where you and your dentist discuss your smile goals and determine if you’re a good candidate for treatment. Your dentist will also examine your teeth and gums, taking measurements, X-rays, and impressions as needed.
At your next appointment, your teeth will be prepared for veneers. This involves removing a small amount of enamel from the front of the tooth to ensure the veneer fits naturally into your smile. We take an impression of the prepared tooth and surrounding teeth, then choose a shade that matches your natural smile.
The veneers are then custom-made in a dental lab, following your dentist's specifications for the shape, size, and colour.
Once they’re ready, you’ll return to the dentist for the final appointment. Your dentist will check the veneers for proper shape, colour, and fit. Then, they'll bond the veneers securely in place using a dental cement.
The Advantages of Veneers
While more affordable cosmetic options like whitening and bonding are available, veneers offer the following unique advantages:
- Veneers cover staining that whitening treatments alone can’t eliminate.
- The porcelain used is semi-translucent, like actual enamel, so the veneers may look more natural than bonding.
- Veneers are stain-resistant.
- Veneers are less vulnerable to chipping or other damage than bonding and have a longer lifespan, typically lasting from ten to 15 years with proper care.
While the cost of veneers is comparable to the cost of crowns, veneers preserve more of the tooth’s underlying structure than crowns do.
If chips, cracks, gaps, stains, misshapen teeth, or other small imperfections in your smile are impacting your confidence, talk to your dentist about how veneers can restore and enhance your smile.