Eyes & Smiles - Expert 5* Dentist in Friern Barnet N11

What are the advantages of veneers?
Dental Veneers at Eyes & Smiles Dental Clinic Friern Barnet make teeth look natural and healthy, and because they are very thin and are held in place by a special strong bond (rather like super-glue) - very little preparation of the tooth is needed.

When would I need a veneer?
You Eyes & Smiles Finchley Dental Veneer dentist will discuss with you how veneers may improve the colour, shape and position of your teeth, without causing much damage to the tooth. A precise shade of porcelain can be chosen to give the right colour to improve a single discoloured or stained tooth or to lighten front teeth (usually the upper ones) generally. A veneer can make a chipped tooth look intact again. Veneers can also be used to close small gaps, when orthodontics (braces) are not suitable. If one tooth is slightly out of position, a veneer can sometimes be fitted to bring it into line with the others.

What about alternatives?
A natural-coloured filling material can be used for minor repairs to front teeth. This is excellent where the tooth supports the filling, but may not work so well for broken tooth corners. There will always be a join between the tooth and the white filling material.

Crowns are used for teeth that need to be strengthened - either because they have broken, have been weakened by a very large filling, or have had root canal treatment.

How long will a veneer last?
Dental Veneers should last for many years, but they can chip or break, just as your own teeth can. Your Eyes & Smiles Arnos Grove dentist will tell you how long each individual veneer should last. Small chips can be repaired, or a new veneer fitted if necessary.

How are teeth prepared for a veneer?
Some of the shiny outer enamel surface of the tooth may be removed, to make sure that the veneer can be bonded definitively in place later within a good alignment to the other teeth. This is done carefully by your dentist at Eyes & Smiles Dental Clinic and the amount of enamel removed is minimal (usually 0.5mm) and will be the same as the thickness of the veneer to be fitted. A local anaesthetic may be used to make sure that there is no discomfort. Once the tooth has been prepared, your Eyes & Smiles Finchley Dental Veneer dentist will take an 'impression'. This will be given to the dental technician, along with any other information needed to make the veneer. The colour of the surrounding teeth is matched on a shade guide to make sure that the veneer will look entirely natural.

How long will it take?
A veneer takes at least two visits; the first for your Eyes & Smiles Southgate Dental Veneer dentist to prepare the tooth and to match the shade, and the second to fit it. Before bonding it in place, your Eyes & Smiles Barnet Dental Veneer dentist will show you the veneer on your tooth to make sure you are happy with it. Bonding a veneer in place is done with a special adhesive, which holds it firmly on the tooth.

Will I need a temporary veneer between visits?
Because the preparation of the tooth is so slight you will probably not need a temporary veneer. The tooth will look very much the same after preparation, but will feel slightly less smooth. Sometimes to reduce sensitivity it is advisable to have a temporary veneer which we make at the chair-side at Eyes & Smiles New Southgate N11.

What happens after the veneer is fitted?
Only minor adjustments can be made to the veneer after it is fitted. It is usually best to wait a little while to get used to it before any changes are made. Your Eyes & Smiles North London Dental Veneers dentist will probably want to check and polish it a week or so after it is fitted, and to make sure that you are happy with it.

Can veneers break?
As with all restorations which are placed into the functional constraints of our mouths, veneers can require replacing in future. As long as you regularly attend Eyes & Smiles Southgate we can monitor the condition of old and new dental work and advise you if anything requires updating.

What if I grind my teeth?
Unfortunately patients who have a history of grinding will be more likely to break through not only their own enamel and tooth structure, but also their veneers and other dental restorations. This is due to the enormous strength of the human jaw when it goes into overdrive (during grinding or clenching). Your Eyes & Smiles Dental Veneer Dentist will check your bite before you start treatment to let you know if you may require a night guard to protect your dental veneers in the future. Luckily by wearing a night guard after having veneer treatment, you have the chance to protect your new teeth from the forces of grinding for longer.