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FAQ - Dental Veneer

What are veneers?

Veneers are thin porcelain shells that are placed on the outward facing (buccal) side of teeth. This means that the portion of your teeth that are visible when you smile will be covered with an evenly shaped, tooth colored white porcelain to give you the smile you always dreamed of.

How long does it take to get veneers?

You will first need to come in and have an impression taken of your teeth. After that, you and your dentist will have to sit down and discuss exactly what it is you would like changed about the appearance of your teeth. If you are satisfied with the shape of your teeth, but just want a different color, that is a very simple situation, as than the mold taken will be used to make the veneers. More often than not, however, people usually want the shape of their teeth to appear different as well. Your dentist will tell you what it is they can do and how they can shape the veneers to give you an idea of how they can be manipulated. Your teeth will be shaped to accommodate the veneer of your choice as well. Once a satisfactory conclusion has been reached, it takes about 5 working days for the technician to actually make the veneers.

What are veneers made of?

Veneers are usually manufactured out of tooth colored porcelain. They can also be made of Procera, a ceramic material very akin to porcelain. Veneers are basically the outer shells of crowns, and they can be any color or shape desired by the patient. Veneers can also be made of composite gradia, or tooth filling material. 

Can I get veneers if I do sports?

Yes you can. Certain sports, like boxing or martial arts might make it a bad, or extremely costly decision to get veneers, as they will crack and break off if confronted with a trauma to the mouth (like a high flying ball or a fist to the mouth). But veneers can be worn in any situation that crowns can be worn in, so playing sports, even contact sports like football or rugby do not rule you out for wearing veneers, just don’t forget your mouthguard!  

What sort of shapes do veneers come in?

The answer is basically any shape at all. We have a catalogue with hundreds of prefabricated examples that can be used, but upon request, we can tailor make a veneer that is right for your tooth shape, or for the tooth shape you had imagined.

How long do veneers last?

With proper care and attention, veneers can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years. After this time they will need to be replaced.

Are veneers permanent?

Veneers are a non-reversible process. Once you decide to get them, you will need them as long as you still have teeth. This is why a lot of thought and deliberation should be had before getting veneers.

Is there any special care that I need to show veneers?

No special care is required for the upkeep of veneers. You should always maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly, but no special toothpaste or floss is required. Veneers have a stain resistant quality. However, if you drink a lot of coffee, eat lots of red berries or drink lots of red wine, your veneers will eventually start to change color.

 What happens if veneers fall off?

If the veneers falls off because the cementation does not hold, then they need simply to be recemented. If the veneers fall of because of chipping, or because they have become broken, than a new veneer needs to be made for that tooth. If the veneer falls off because of damage to its base tooth then there are a few possible outcomes - you may be able to get a new veneer, you may need to replace the veneer with a crown, or, should there be extensive damage, then tooth replacement options might need to be discussed with your dentist.

My veneer is chipped. Is there no way to replace just a part of it?

Not in a way to make it not look bad. You can in fact get a small piece of porcelain, the same as what your veneer is made out of, and just glue that on. But it will be impossible to find the exact correct shade, and to not have it look as if it were made from several tiny pieces. Since veneers are an aesthetic solution, you probably want the best, most aesthetic solution. Just go out and get a new one, you will be glad you did.

Can I get a cavity underneath a veneer?

Technically you can. It so very rare for this to occur as the entire tooth surface is covered by the dental veneer. It is much more common to have cavities occur near the roots of the teeth, as the veneer does not cover or protect the tooth roots. In order to fill your cavity if it is on your tooth surface, your dental veneer needs to be removed. The veneer will most likely need to be remade if this occurs.