Porcelain veneers are now available at our Central London Dental Clinic. There are many uses for porcelain veneers in dentistry including severely discoloured, worn or damaged teeth. Porcelain veneers, are thin porcelain coverings fabricated in the dental laboratory specifically for a specific patient and tooth, and give excellent cosmetics in the right situation. Tooth preparation for porcelain veneers involve minimal to moderate removal of tooth enamel (the outer shell of the tooth), and when indicated the dentin tooth layer; depending on each individual situation.
Two to three visits are usually required to have the porcelain veneers made. A smile analysis is usually performed using a camera, and stone models of your teeth. The proposed final mock up of your teeth are usually performed via computer analysis or white dental wax being placed on the models of your teeth. Alterations to your proposed smile should be discussed and made with your dentist during this visit. Once you and your dentist have agreed on the result that can be obtained, your teeth are anaesthetised and portions removed using a diamond bur. Temporary acrylic or composite shells are fabricated by the dentist or his in-house laboratory to prevent tooth sensitively and shifting. Impressions are then made, and the stone models are sent to a laboratory that specialises in porcelain veneer fabrication. At the following visit, the porcelain veneers will be bonded in place. When the porcelain veneers are delivered to your dental office, they will appear very delicate. However, once securely bonded into place, they become much more rugged.
The cosmetic result depends both upon the dental laboratory’s and your dentist’s artistic natures. The bonding materials, and other intrinsic colouring, make a world of difference in certain cases. It is helpful to have a dentist that has a lot of experience with porcelain veneers!