Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are very thin sheets of porcelain which are attached to the front surface of your teeth to improve their look or function.

Why choose porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers are durable, strong and retain their beautiful appearance even when exposed to tea, coffee or wine. They can be used to fix a number of aesthetic concerns and improve the look of your smile. Veneers might be right for:

  • Discoloured or stained teeth that won’t respond to conventional tooth whitening treatments.
  • Correcting teeth which are slightly misaligned but don’t need orthodontic treatment.
  • Lengthening or changing the shape of teeth.
  • Recontouring irregularly shaped teeth.
  • Closing or minimising gaps between teeth.
  • Teeth with minor chips or cracks or sections that have worn away.

How does the process work?

The first step is to have your initial consultation at FY Smile. Your dentist will talk to you about your goals and expectations for treatment and any other concerns you might have. They will also assess your suitability for porcelain veneers and whether they are the right choice for you.

While porcelain veneers are minimally invasive, it is usually necessary for your dentist to remove a small amount of tooth enamel from the front surfaces of your teeth before your veneers are fitted. This helps to ensure that the finished appearance is natural and aesthetically pleasing. Once your teeth have been shaped, we will then take impressions so that the dental laboratory can create your veneers.

If you decide to go ahead, the next step in the process is for us to design your smile. We do this using Digital Smile Design. This means that we take your unique facial features as our guide to make sure your veneers look and feel right for you. You can even ‘trial’ them before your treatment begins!

When your permanent veneers are ready, you will come in to have them fitted. First of all, we will make any necessary minor adjustments to make sure the fit is absolutely accurate before we permanently bond them in position.

What are the risks involved?

There are risks and complications involved with any dental procedure and it’s important to understand any potential problems with porcelain veneers before you choose to go ahead.

The risks include:

  1. If local anaesthetic is used during the procedure it could trigger an allergic reaction.
  2. Porcelain veneers can be difficult to remove if you change your mind at a later date.
  3. Thermal changes in your teeth over many years can cause the veneer to crack.
  4. If you don’t maintain proper oral hygiene, dental decay can occur around the margins of the veneer.
  5. If your dentine is exposed during the fitting, you may experience some temporary increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods.
  6. Decay, stress from your bite or improper care can contribute to the veneer detaching.

How do you maintain your porcelain veneers?

To keep your veneers in top condition, you need to take care of your teeth and gums. This includes:

  • Carefully brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing using the correct technique.
  • Avoiding using your teeth as a tool to open bottles or any material that puts extreme pressure on your veneers.
  • Going easy on tough foods such as hard candy to avoid potential damage to your veneers.
  • Visiting your dentist once or twice a year for a cleaning appointment to remove any tartar from your teeth.

Why choose FY Smile for porcelain veneers?

From the design to the final polish, we deliver every step in the process with meticulous attention to detail.

Our understanding of shade matching, the structure of your teeth and how to select the right materials also enables us to give you the best aesthetic results.

And, as our entire process is underpinned by Digital Smile Design planning, we design your veneers to suit your own face, using digital guides to remove exactly the right amount of tooth structure and precisely fit your veneers.

We also use a tool called a ‘rubber dam’ to isolate each tooth as the veneer is placed, which puts your health and hygiene first.