In an ideal world, we would all have a full set of healthy, even and beautifully white teeth. In reality, this is very rare indeed without the intervention of cosmetic dentistry.
There is a lot that we can do to keep our teeth healthy, with regular brushing, flossing and six monthly dental examinations, but life and ageing usually eventually takes it toll, especially when it comes to the appearance of our teeth.
Even with the healthiest of teeth, most of us will find, as we get older, that our teeth have lost the sparkle of our youth and often look dull and discoloured. Providing that this is not too severe, a professional teeth whitening treatment is often an effective way to restore the whiteness. For those whose teeth have become very discolored, perhaps through lifestyle choices such as smoking, or drinking red wine over a period of time, or whose teeth have been affected by chips and cracks, this may not be the most effective solution however.
Permanently damaged tooth enamel
At the Sync Dental Centres, we strive to help our Addlestone patients keep their teeth in as good a condition as they can. Where heavily stained or chipped teeth are a problem though, we are able to provide dental veneers as a solution when the enamel of the teeth has been permanently affected in this way.
This is an excellent way to restore the appearance of your teeth and provide you with that great looking smile that you may have thought was a thing of the distant past.
What are dental veneers?
Dental veneers are fine layers of material that are shaped to the size and appearance of your own teeth and then attached to the front surface. Some of the latest types can be placed directly onto the existing enamel, whilst others require an equivalent fine layer of the natural enamel to be ‘shaved’ from the front of the teeth to aid fitment. We will look at the differences in these in a later blog, but, for the purposes of this one, we will examine the latter type which have been in use for many years.
Veneers can be made from a number of materials, including gold. For most people though, porcelain is the first choice. This is a strong and largely stain resistant material that replicates that of a healthy natural tooth.
Veneers are also an effective way to reduce tooth sensitivity where the enamel has been eroded, and can also sometimes be used for minor orthodontic corrections such as a diastema.
Fitting of dental veneers
In order to fit the new veneers, it is usually necessary to remove the affected enamel on the natural teeth. To do this, a local anaesthetic will be given to minimise any discomfort and then a dental burr is used to remove a very fine layer from the front of the teeth. Once this has been completed, we will take impressions of the teeth from which your veneers will be produced. This is done at a dental laboratory and can take a week or so. During this time, your teeth will be fitted with temporary veneers to protect them.
When the veneers are back at the Sync Dental Centres, you will be recalled to the practice and the temporary veneers removed and replaced by your new porcelain ones. This is done by using a special dental adhesive. Finally, they will be trimmed and polished to give them a beautiful but natural appearance.
Looking after your veneers
One thing that is important to remember is that while the veneers themselves can’t decay, they are attached to your natural teeth which can. You should take care to clean all of your teeth well, including those with veneers attached. Failure to do so could lead to decay and, where a veneer is attached, could mean that the veneer no longer fits correctly following a filling and may need to be replaced.
You may have heard some tales of veneers ‘popping off’ from the teeth. This is actually very rare but it can happen where certain habits are present. In order to avoid the likelihood of this happening, do not grind your teeth or bite your fingernails or other hard objects in that way.
As we say, detachment is rare, but if it does happen, please call us straight away and allow us to re-attach your veneer for you. Under no circumstances should you attempt to do this yourself, especially using a general glue. These are likely to contain chemicals which will damage your teeth further, so it is essential to have it done professionally.
We are always pleased to offer our professional advice to help you attain the smile that you want and dental veneers are just one of the ways that we can do this. If you would like to see what we can do to give your smile a boost, why not arrange to have an initial consultation at the Sync Dental Centres by calling us on 01932 856541.