A Guide to Veneers

Teeth veneers Cross River do not actually restore the health or function of teeth, but they do improve the appearance. The result in a set of straight, matching teeth of healthy white colouring, giving the patient greater confidence to show off their smile


What can veneers treat?

Veneers are a popular choice for patients having a smile makeover (that is, any cosmetic dental treatment that improves the aesthetics of your teeth). They correct a number of dental complaints, including:

Stained teeth that resist professional tooth whitening treatments can be effectively hidden by veneers. This is a common problem for smokers and people who regularly drink of tea, coffee, and red wine.

Damaged teeth can occur through excessive grinding or carbonated drinks, or may simply have been chipped or broken in an accident. A veneer can extent the length of a full-sized tooth.

Crooked teeth form naturally due to lack of space, and are better treated with orthodontics such as invisalign braces. However, this can take a year or more to correct, so some people turn to veneers for a quick fix.

Gaps or spaces that have formed between your teeth can be hidden by veneers to produce a better structured and balanced smile.

How can I get dental veneers in Cross River?

A consultation with your dentist will give you a chance to discuss all the options, including whether tooth veneers are right for you. They are a popular choice because they look just like real teeth with the light-reflective characteristics of enamel. Veneers also resist staining, unlike natural teeth.

However, you should be aware that the process is irreversible. Veneers may not be suitable for people with unhealthy or weak teeth, or for those who grind their teeth a lot, either in their sleep or as a general nervous habit. This may cause the veneers to break off.

For a single tooth, prices start from 200 and range up to 1,200 depending on the material used. Because tooth veneers are a cosmetic treatment they are not available at subsidised rates on the NHS. Healthy porcelain veneers last for 5-10 years, while composite veneers may only last for 1-2 years. So eventually they will need to be replaced at additional cost.
What is the procedure?

A local anaesthetic is injected into the gums so you won't feel any pain during the procedure. The dentist will then prepare the surfaces of your teeth so they can accommodate your new veneers. This involves shaving off a very thin amount of enamel with a dental drill, equivalent to the thickness of the veneer.

An impression of your teeth will be made with special dental putty from which the new veneers are cast. This can take up to three weeks, during which time you may receive temporary veneers. Alternatively, in some modern surgeries, a hi-tech system called CEREC is used to take 3D photographs of your teeth. The images are sent to an onsite milling machine which produces the veneers in a matter of minutes.

With the new Cross River dental veneers at hand, the cosmetic dentist will clean the surfaces of your teeth and roughen them with a special acid gel. This creates the optimum bonding surface for the dental cement. The veneers will be put in place carefully and activated with a special curing light which permanently bonds the veneer to the tooth. Finally, the new surfaces are polished for a natural result.