Veneers
Veneers: a digitally designed smile, with minimal preparation
A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain or composite bonded to the front of a tooth to correct colour, shape or gaps. At our clinic veneers start with a digital scan and a smile design you see before any preparation, and are bonded with adhesive dentistry techniques under microscope magnification.
Who is this for?
A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain or composite bonded to the front surface of a tooth to correct its colour, shape or size. It suits people whose teeth are basically healthy and who want a limited, conservative improvement.
- Discolouration that does not respond to whitening
- Small chips or wear on the edges of the front teeth
- Gaps between teeth, or short or uneven teeth
- A wish for a uniform shape and colour that still looks natural
How we do it here
The same path for every patient: imaging, digital planning, then guided treatment.
Examination and assessment
Gums, bite and decay are checked to decide whether veneers are the right choice or a simpler option is enough.
Digital scan and smile design
The intraoral scanner builds a digital model; the new tooth shape is designed on it and a temporary mock-up is tried in your mouth before starting.
Conservative preparation
Minimal reduction according to the design, and in suitable cases none worth mentioning. The microscope helps precision.
Fabrication
Porcelain veneers are made in a digital laboratory from the scan, or composite is built directly in the same session.
Bonding
Complete isolation of the tooth, bonding under microscope magnification with adhesive dentistry materials, then bite adjustment.
The devices we rely on
- Intraoral digital scanner
- Surgical microscope
- Guided GBT cleaning
What to expect
Number of sessions
Set by the doctor; porcelain usually needs more than one session, composite may be completed in one.
Sensitivity
Temporary sensitivity to cold after preparation is possible and usually settles.
Colour
Chosen with you in natural light and compared with your own teeth.
Temporaries
Protect the teeth between preparation and bonding and give an impression of the final shape.
Aftercare
- Avoid biting hard objects with the front teeth, such as ice or nut shells
- A night guard if you grind your teeth in your sleep
- A soft brush and daily floss, as for natural teeth
- Regular reviews and GBT cleaning to keep the gloss and the bonded margins
The information on this page is general education and does not replace a clinical examination. Every treatment plan is set after assessment at the clinic.
Risks and possible complications
Every surgical procedure carries some risk. These are the most common, and what we do to reduce them.
- Temporary sensitivity to cold and heat after the tooth is prepared.
- Debonding or chipping of the veneer when biting something hard or with teeth grinding.
- A slight colour difference over time between the veneer and the neighbouring tooth, especially with composite.
- Gum irritation at the margins if hygiene is not sufficient.
- Preparing a tooth for porcelain cannot be reversed; the veneer is replaced with another when its time is up.
What we do to reduce them: planning on a CBCT scan before any intervention, strict sterilisation, clear written instructions, and close follow-up after the procedure. If something unexpected happens, we tell you and treat it.
When this treatment may not be right for you
Not every case is ready now. These situations need preparation first, or a different option.
- Severe teeth grinding without a night guard.
- Active decay or gum disease; it is treated first.
- Too little enamel or large fillings in the tooth; a crown may suit better.
- Severe crowding or tilting of the teeth; orthodontics first gives a better and more conservative result.
Alternatives we may discuss with you
We may discuss whitening alone, composite bonding, orthodontics, or a ceramic crown for weakened teeth, depending on what each tooth needs.
Frequently asked questions
General answers; your own plan is set after examination.
Porcelain or composite?
Porcelain holds its colour and gloss better and is made in the laboratory. Composite is built directly in one session and is easier to repair but stains more easily. The doctor recommends what suits your case and budget.
Is the tooth ground down?
Preparation is conservative and follows the design; sometimes fractions of a millimetre, and in suitable cases none. The digital design settles this before starting.
Do veneers change colour over time?
Porcelain keeps its colour well. Composite may stain with coffee and smoking and can be polished or renewed.
How long do veneers last?
Years, depending on the type, care, and biting and grinding habits. No fixed period can be guaranteed.
Are veneers for everyone?
No. Gum health, bite, night grinding and the amount of remaining tooth are assessed first. Sometimes whitening or minor orthodontics is the better option.
Can they be removed later?
Porcelain veneers are usually not reversible once the tooth has been prepared. That is why the design and the temporary trial before starting matter.
Do they look natural?
When designed to suit your face, lips and tooth colour, and made in layered porcelain, they are hard to tell from natural teeth. The temporary trial shows you this before you decide.
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