Dental Veneers

Veneers are thin tooth-coloured facings that are custom made to cover over the front of natural teeth.  They are used to cover chipped, discoloured, misshapen, misaligned or small teeth, or to close spaces between teeth.

Veneers can be made directly in the mouth from composite resin or indirectly with porcelain.

Porcelain veneers are made over 2 or 3 appointments.  The first appointment involves preparing the teeth by removing a thin amount of enamel from the front and side surfaces of the tooth.  The teeth are scanned in the dental chair and the scans sent to a dental laboratory.  You will then visit our nearby laboratory to have the tooth colour matched.  Temporary veneers may be placed over the teeth while the porcelain veneers are being made.  Your final appointment will be for insertion where the veneers are tried in and bonded on to the teeth.

Composite veneers are applied directly onto the teeth and are made over 1 or 2 appointments.  They may involve removing a thin layer of enamel from the tooth surface then bonding and shaping the composite resin over the surface of the tooth.  The composite is then polished and adjusted to correct the length and shape of the tooth.

If you have Porcelain or Composite Veneers it is advisable to also have an occlusal splint made that can be worn at night to protect the teeth from grinding and damaging forces on the teeth while you sleep.