What are veneers?

Veneers are a conservative and effective way to improve the appearance of your smile. Veneers have many uses and can hide discolourations, brighten teeth, change the shape or position of teeth or fill in gaps.  Veneers are more resistant to stains than bonding materials. Veneers are very thin and have a natural translucent look to them.

Veneers are a thin shell of porcelain that are bonded onto your teeth, similar to false fingernails, but much harder and more durable.  Veneers involve removing a small amount of tooth structure and Patients who need only minor tooth alignment problems are corrected with veneers.


Veneers or Crowns?

Importantly, veneers are not a substitute for braces and braces are better for Patients with very crooked teeth.  Also teeth that are badly decayed or have very large fillings are often better treated with a full crown restoration.  Patients that clench or grind their teeth can fracture veneers or chip edges, these patients need a protective splint for sleeping.


Maintaining your veneers

You need to brush and floss around veneers just like your natural teeth.  Initially it will take time to get used to the new shape and position of the teeth.  Be careful of your veneers and do not bit your nails, chew on pens or ice as this will fracture your veneer.