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Porcelain veneers are a conservative yet highly effective method
of restoring the appearance of discoloured, pitted, or fractured
anterior teeth. In some cases, minor crowding or overlap of teeth
can also be made to appear in line, without orthodontics, by veneer
placement.
What are porcelain veneers?
Veneers consist of a thin porcelain facing, in many cases as
thin as 0.5mm. However, once bonded to the front surface of a
tooth, these restorations are as strong as a crown.
What does treatment involve?
Because veneers are so thin, the procedure of preparing a tooth
is quite conservative. The reduction to the front surface of the
tooth is often confined to the outside enamel layer.
Two appointments are required for this procedure, the first
involving tooth preparation and temporization and the second being
the bonding of the veneer. Our laboratory is on site and therefore
all colour and detail matching can be done in the office.
Caring for your new veneers
The mouth is very sensitive to even slight changes. You will
need a few days to adjust to the thickness and new contours of your
veneers. Take care when biting into very hard foods as veneers can
chip just as natural teeth can.
To provide optimum longevity for your restorations and to
prevent future dental decay and supporting tissue breakdown, please
brush and floss your teeth daily. Avoid frequent use of abrasive
toothpaste such as those containing baking soda as they can damage
the surface finish of your veneers.
If you play contact sports, a mouth guard is recommended to
protect your new restorations. All persons grind their teeth to
some degree. If you are aware of a clenching or grinding habit, or,
if you want to best protect your new veneers against chipping,
consideration should be given to wear of an occlusal appliance
(nightguard). |