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If you’re considering undergoing a dental veneer procedure, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the treatment and how it works is essential. Veneers are primarily associated with cosmetic dentistry and can be an effective solution for addressing issues like crooked teeth.
In this guide, we’ll teach you all about veneers and how they can benefit your dental health, enabling you to make the right choice for your needs.
At the Dental Law Partnership, we’re experts in the world of dental negligence, able to help all our clients through the dental negligence claims process. Negligent cosmetic dentistry is just one of the avenues that we can claim for, so if you suspect you’ve been a victim of malpractice during a veneer procedure, we may be able to help you.
If you feel that you’re ready to start your dental negligence claim, please call our expert team of solicitors on 0800 152 2032.
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Veneers are a cosmetic dental treatment intended to improve the appearance of your smile, although they can also be used to treat minor oral health issues, such as enamel erosion.
Dental veneers are normally made from porcelain or composite, and are usually used as a short-to-medium fix for enhancing the appearance of your natural teeth. Porcelain veneers are often more expensive than composite veneers, as they have a more authentic look. They’re usually used as a treatment option to correct flaws and imperfections, such as:
Veneers recreate the look of your natural teeth, as well as providing strength and resilience against plaque and bacteria. If your teeth are cleaned effectively, porcelain veneers can last up to ten years, whereas composite veneers usually last up to five years.
Whilst dental veneers are a regular treatment option, occasionally negligent errors can occur during the procedure. If you have suffered from dental negligence during a veneer treatment, we may be able to help you make a claim. Please request a callback and we’ll help you get the justice you deserve.
As previously stated, dental veneers are usually carried out as a form of cosmetic dentistry. This means that in most cases, they may only be required if you would like to improve the appearance of your smile.
There are several reasons why you might want a veneer procedure to be carried out:
If you have more than one of these dental issues, veneers may be helpful, as they can often rectify several problems. To find out whether veneers are right for you, you should speak to your dentist.
Once the initial consultation has been completed and you’ve decided to go ahead with a veneers procedure, the process will begin. There are three major steps usually taken during the procedure:
1. Your dentist will first need to gain informed consent from you. This includes giving you all the necessary information to go ahead with your treatment, informing you of potential side effects, risks and any alternative treatments available. This information may be provided at the initial consultation. If your dentist fails to obtain voluntary consent and something goes wrong during the treatment, you may have a case for negligence.
2. Once the treatment starts, your dentist will clean the affected area thoroughly, and all tools should be sterilised before use. There are no nerves in the enamel, but you may be offered a sedative to help you relax.
3. Your tooth will then be prepared to hold the veneer. In most cases, the affected tooth will need to be filed down prior to having your veneers fitted. A thin layer of the enamel will be removed so the veneer can be attached.
4. An impression of your mouth will then be made by using either soft putty or a 3D scanner. You may have to wear a temporary veneer until your next appointment.
5. Finally, your veneer will be permanently attached using a strong dental glue.
Your teeth may feel a little sore after the treatment, but this is normal and should wear off within a few days. However, if the pain doesn’t wear off or becomes severe, you should speak to your dentist again.
If your dentist has acted negligently during your veneer procedure, you may be able to make a dental negligence claim. Please contact our dedicated team here to make a claim.
The duration of a veneer procedure varies based on your individual circumstances. This means that we cannot provide an exact time frame for your surgery.
You’ll likely need more than one appointment to have your veneers fitted, which may take up to three weeks. However, each appointment should be fairly short, taking up to an average of 30 minutes.
We’re unable to state exactly how many appointments your treatment may take, as this is highly dependent on the situation and the work needed. However, in most cases, you should expect anywhere between two and four appointments to complete the necessary work.
The answer to this question may also depend on the type of dental veneers you choose to go for. Composite veneers often require fewer appointments, and can sometimes even be completed within one visit to your dental practice. However, porcelain veneers may involve numerous steps/appointments to complete.
If you are unsure and would like to find out more, please speak to your local dental practice so that they can assess the situation.
Before treatment is carried out, your dentist will need to assess your situation. During your preliminary consultation, your dentist will determine whether you are a viable candidate for veneers and evaluate your dental health. Your dentist will also create a suitable treatment plan and gain informed consent from you, which also includes notifying you of any risks, side effects or alternative treatments.
If your dentist decides that veneers are a suitable option for you, they will go through a thorough review of your treatment details. You should also be given the choice over the length, colour and material your veneers are made from. Your dentist will then book your first veneer appointment.
When having veneers fitted, there are several steps that should be followed to ensure good oral health and veneer longevity. After your treatment has been carried out, you should avoid biting down with the tooth affected by your veneers until the initial discomfort goes away. You should also ensure your teeth are cleaned effectively – your dentist may be able to recommend specific cleaning products to be used.
Bupa recommends that food and drink that may stain your teeth are avoided, including wine, coffee and tea. You should also wear a mouthguard if you engage in any contact sports, and avoid biting down on objects that may cause chips.
If you’ve experienced negligence during a veneer treatment, or you think something might have gone wrong, there are several steps you can take to resolve your situation.
One option is to make a complaint to your dentist. Every dental surgery will have their own complaints procedure, which they should send to you once requested. However, it should be noted that there is a time limit of one year from when the poor treatment occurred in which you can make an official complaint to your dental practice.
If you’re unhappy with your treatment, you may also be able to request another dental appointment to assess the situation and provide corrective treatment if necessary. Your dentist should be able to tell you if your veneers have gone wrong and inform you of the next steps.
If you’re uncomfortable making a complaint to your dentist, you can also open a dental negligence claim against your dentist. You don’t need to make a complaint first, although it should be noted that there is a strict three year time limit from when the negligence occurred in which you can make a claim.
At the Dental Law Partnership, we’re highly trained in all matters of dental negligence, and our team consists of both dentists and solicitors. This means that we have the expertise to be able to get you the justice you deserve, providing high quality legal representation to all our clients. We also work on a no-win, no-fee basis, ensuring you only pay our fees if your claim is successful
If you would like to open a dental negligence claim with our team, please contact us on 0800 152 2038.
Many people have dental anxiety, and undergoing treatment can be stressful, particularly if it’s a procedure you’ve not had before. If you’re unsure, it’s advisable to speak to your dentist first to find out more about the veneers process, as this may help to set your mind at rest.
You may want to consider asking the following questions during your initial consultation:
However, this is just a list of the most common questions people have when undergoing a veneer procedure. As a trained dental professional, your dentist should be able to accurately answer your questions, and they should be able to provide documentation if requested.
If you’ve already undergone veneer treatment and you’d like to find out more about making a dental negligence claim, our expert team of dental solicitors will be able to help. Please contact us here and we’ll assess your claim.
Veneers can be extremely empowering if fitted correctly, as they can enhance your smile and improve your confidence and self-esteem. However, if they are fitted incorrectly, or your dentist performs negligent treatment on your teeth, it can be extremely distressing.
At the Dental Law Partnership, we’re here to help. As market leaders in the legal dental industry, we can get you the justice you deserve. We’ll go through the entire dental negligence claims process with you, and we only charge a fee if your case is successful.
If you’d like to move on with your life and open a dental negligence claim, please request a callback from our expert team of solicitors.