Porcelain veneers can bring about stunning changes in the appearance of a patient’s teeth. Veneers are ceramic tooth caps that fit over the top of existing teeth to create the size, shape and colour of more attractive teeth.
Fitting a set of veneers involves placing them over the top of the natural teeth and cementing them in place with a substance called dental or composite bonding. Once set firmly in place a well made set of veneers should last up to twenty years if properly maintained. However, if the veneers are not cleaned effectively they too can suffer from premature discolouration.
Many patients are concerned about how easy it is to replace porcelain veneers and worry that the process will either be painful or expensive. There are two main ways to go about replacing old veneers with new ones. Firstly, if the veneers are of a certain thickness they will need to be worn down to allow room for the new veneers to fit over the top. This is a fairly straightforward procedure as it is easy for Central Leeds dentists to distinguish between tooth enamel and the porcelain used to make the veneers. Once the necessary amount of porcelain is removed, a new set of veneers can be designed and fitted to the teeth.
Alternatively, thanks to modern technology and manufacturing methods, it is now possible to create veneers that are incredibly thin. These new types of veneers, such as Lumineers, are no thicker than a contact lens and can be fitted over existing dental work, including veneers and crowns. This means that this type of veneers can simply be placed over existing ones to restore the appearance of healthy white teeth.
