Veneers in London are a highly popular method of cosmetic dental treatment that uses thin porcelain shells to improve the appearance of your smile. Veneers can be used to improve the colour of your teeth, change the shape and size of your teeth, improve the alignment of your teeth and close any gaps between the teeth. Veneers can also be used to disguise chips and cracks on the surface of your teeth. Naturally perfect teeth are very rare. If someone looks like they have a perfect smile, then it is more than likely that they have undergone a certain extent of cosmetic dental treatment. If you want your teeth to look like those of your favourite celebrities and influencers then you need to speak to your dentist and find out about veneers.
Are veneers suitable for you?
Patients with complicated orthodontic issues may not be suitable for veneers. In this case you will need to undergo teeth straightening beforehand. Teeth straightening can be carried out in many different ways. You can have traditional metal braces that are ideal for complex orthodontic issues or you can have Invisalign clear aligners that are better suited for mild or moderate orthodontic issues of the teeth. Once you straighten your teeth, veneers will be able to transform your smile with optimal results.
Patients with missing teeth may need restorative dental treatment so that they have a complete set of teeth before they can have veneers, otherwise the gaps between the remaining teeth will be too big to hold the veneers in place correctly. Tooth replacement can be carried out with bridges or dental implants, depending on your personal preferences and your unique dental needs. Dental implants are an excellent method of replacing missing teeth as they provide a permanent solution and are designed to last for the rest of your life.
Veneers only work on natural teeth and also the tooth should not have extensive damage or otherwise it will not be able to hold the veneer in place. If you have chips or cracks, then veneers are suitable for you. The veneer will be attached to the front surface of the teeth and porcelain will help strengthen the natural tooth as well as preventing further damage to the teeth.
Patients who grind their teeth or clench their teeth may not be eligible for veneers, because there is a high chance that the veneers will get damaged very easily. In this case, you can talk to your dentist about other types of cosmetic dental treatment, for example, teeth whitening. Also patients who suffer from recurring gum disease may have to look at other treatment options because your gums will be harder to treat when infected and veneers may worsen the symptoms.
Your dentist will have extensive experience in veneers to make an informed decision about whether or not they are suitable for you. If so, the treatment itself is very simple and can be carried out over a few weeks. At your first appointment, your dentist will decide if you can have veneers now or if you need to undergo general dental treatment to improve the health of your teeth and gums beforehand. At the next appointment, your teeth will be prepared. This involves cleaning your teeth and removing a thin layer of the enamel. An impression will be taken of your mouth and this will be used to design your new veneers. Your dentist will use their extensive experience to decide which shade, shape and size veneers will help you achieve the best results. The veneers will then be sent to the ceramicist who will create them according to the specifications. This part of the process can take 2 or 3 weeks and the veneers will be delivered to your dentist. You will then be invited for your fitting. The fitting of veneers takes between 1 to 2 hours, depending on how many veneers you need. Some patients only have 1 or 2 veneers, whilst others have a full set of veneers for a complete smile makeover.
Looking after your veneers
You should not eat very hard or chewy foods as they could damage your veneers. You should avoid fizzy drinks or brightly coloured drinks so that you do not stain or weaken the veneers. You should also give up excessive drinking and smoking to maintain the good condition of your veneers. Excessive drinking and smoking are lifestyle choices that not only affect veneers and dental health, but also affect your general health and wellbeing. You should speak to your doctor to find out about managing your drinking and smoking cessation. By making wiser lifestyle choices, you will enjoy better dental health and improve the quality of your life.