The Veneers Process
Dental veneers can help you to achieve a flawless smile. By applying an ultra-thin shell of porcelain or laminate to each tooth, veneers are designed to conceal an uneven smile, chipped or stained teeth and can also help to improve the appearance of dental issues such as worn tooth enamel and gaps between teeth.
Often requested as a private and cosmetic dental procedure, dental veneers can be expensive and require a phase of treatment to ensure the process is smooth and provides the best end results. It is important to use a dentist that specialises in cosmetic dentistry as they will have the experience and knowledge required to carry out the treatment properly.
Dental Veneers Process Preparation
Having dental veneers fitted can mean making frequent trips to the dentist. The procedure can span six to eight weeks and each appointment can last several hours. The porcelain veneers process will include a diagnostic and examination phase of treatment to ensure you have optimum oral health before the veneer process begins. Your dentist should carry out necessary checks and examinations and have a consultation with you to ensure they understand your concerns and have explained the process in detail, spending time to answer any questions that you may have.
Once initial checks have been carried out, the next step is to determine the best tooth colour for your individual smile. Your dentist should be able to show you how your teeth and smile will look depending on the shade you have chosen, helping you to find the ideal look.
Porcelain veneers process
On your first appointment, you will usually have a local anaesthetic so that you are as comfortable as possible during the procedure. To allow for veneers to be applied, each tooth must be filed and shaped using a small rotating device.
If you are having porcelain veneers, your dentist will, at this point, take impressions of your teeth in order to form a mould of your mouth. This mould will be sent to a dental lab where your dental veneers will be handcrafted.
Once complete, your dentist will temporarily apply the dental veneers to each tooth created for your ideal smile and check the exact fit and colour. This process may be repeated until the desired results are achieved. To prepare your tooth for permanent veneers, your tooth will be thoroughly cleaned, polished and etched to allow for a strong bonding process. The veneer will then be applied to the tooth and secured using a special bonding agent. A light is then used to seal the veneer, by causing it to harden and cure quickly.
Follow up dental appointments may be requested by your dentist to check how the veneers are doing and to examine the placement of each veneer.
Veneer failure
Sometimes veneers do not work, and this can be for a number of reasons, including the negligence of the dentist who carried out the procedure. If you think that you have been a victim of dental negligence and have suffered pain, severe stress or have lost out financially as a result, you might be eligible to make a compensation claim. Contact us to discuss your options.