Veneers in London are the modern solution to an imperfect smile. This is a treatment that can transform the smile from flawed to fabulous in a relatively short time, with long-lasting results. This guide explores what veneers are and how they work, their benefits and how the patient can look after them once treatment is completed.
What are veneers?
Veneers are basically small covers for the teeth. They are made from wafer thin pieces of porcelain that are attached to the front of the teeth. These covers can resolve a variety of cosmetic issues such as teeth being misaligned, cracked or chipped and deep staining that has proven difficult to remove using other methods such as polishing or whitening.
Veneers are tailored to suit the needs of the patient as an individual. This means that they can match the shape and colour of the teeth that are not being altered, giving a very natural look. The result of this is often that while the smile is vastly improved, it is not noticeable to others that the patient has had any treatment.
How do they help?
The biggest benefit of having this treatment is that the patient usually feels much more confident about their appearance. Instead of hiding their smile, they show it with pride. Feeling and looking more attractive often means that the patient enjoys socialising and meeting new people much more, and in many cases, they find themselves becoming more successful at work.
Veneers that are made from porcelain are highly resistant to staining, even more so than natural teeth. This means that the patient can enjoy a white bright smile for many years without fear of it becoming yellowed and faded.
Treatment with veneers gives instant results. Other options for correcting teeth that are misshapen or crooked can involve several months or even years of treatment. Once the veneers have been fitted, the smile is greatly improved straight away with no waiting or multiple dental appointments required.
How does the treatment work?
When a patient decides to go ahead with veneers, the teeth need to be made ready for their application. This is done by filing them into an appropriate shape and giving them the best surface for the new additions to the teeth. A local anaesthetic is given before this procedure to ensure that the patient does not experience any discomfort.
Once the teeth have been prepared, the dentist then creates an exact copy of them. This allows for the creation of veneers that match the teeth exactly and helps to create a seamless and natural appearance. A short-term cover is given while the permanent veneers are prepared.
The patient then returns to get the veneers fitted and bonded to the teeth in such a way that they become part of them for the long term. Provided they are well cared for, veneers can endure for several years, sometimes the lifetime of the patient.
How does the patient care for veneers?
Fortunately, there is no special care required. To keep the veneers and the teeth in good condition after treatment, it is simply a matter of brushing twice daily and flossing once per day.
