FAQs about veneers answered by our dentist

One of the most common complaints that many dental patients have is that their teeth are not white enough. Another can be that they feel there are issues with symmetry and they are looking for ways to close gaps in between their teeth.

It may seem that these issues are not related and would require different dental treatments to resolve. But there is a way to correct the whiteness of your smile, close minor spacing between teeth and correct asymmetries, all with the use of porcelain veneers.

At Cannon Street Dental, we are always happy to meet with patients who want to improve the cosmetic aspects of their smile using veneers or other procedures. Our dentist in London will always aim to help you get the best aesthetic outcome from your visit to our team. In recent years, we have seen an increase in the number of dental patients who want to have porcelain veneers fitted and are always happy to discuss this as an option for you.

However, porcelain veneers are relatively new compared to other cosmetic dental treatments and so you may have a few questions. In this article, our dentist in London aims to answer 5 questions relating to veneers.

What are veneers?

Veneers are thin wafers of porcelain that are custom made to be fixed to the front of your teeth. To do this, our dentist in London will use either a dental mould or an intraoral scan so that the shape and size of your teeth are recorded and sent to the laboratory where the veneers will be created. As the name suggests, they are made of porcelain, but some dental laboratories can also make them with composite materials. They are placed over the front of the tooth to create a smoother, whiter finish and can also help to close gaps or hide extensive staining.

Does the fitting hurt?

No, the fitting of veneers does not hurt. Our team will need to sand some of the enamel from the front of your tooth but this will not be uncomfortable. Then we will place some dental cement on the tooth and will fit the veneer in place. The entire process will take up to an hour depending on how many veneers you are having fitted and will allow you to leave our surgery the same day with a great looking smile.

Can they be whitened?

No veneers cannot be whitened, and this is a good thing. Porcelain itself is a material that is naturally not as porous as the enamel on your teeth, so when you have veneers fitted, the whiteness obtained through this procedure will likely last a lot longer than having your teeth whitened with bleach.

How long do they last?

One of the main threats to the lifespan of a porcelain veneer is gum disease. And so, if you maintain good oral hygiene and visit our dental team, you can expect your porcelain veneers to last between 10 to 20 years.

Are they expensive?

Porcelain veneers are indeed more expensive than composite laminates but when you consider how long the treatment lasts, they are not that pricey. And at Cannon Street Dental, we would be more than happy to discuss financing options with you to help you spread the cost.