the dalkey clinic
Cosmetic: Veneers
So, what if you are not happy with your smile?
Maybe you have crooked teeth which you would like to straighten but for various reasons orthodontics aren’t an option?
Or maybe you have old stained or chipped fillings or teeth and you want to look younger and make your smile more attractive?
Perhaps the best solution might be Porcelain Veneers.
What are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are thin facings of porcelain typically about 0.5mm thick, but sometimes less. They are bonded onto the visible surfaces of teeth restoring them to their optimal beauty, and rejuvenating the entire smile.
Are they damaging to my teeth?
Typically the dentist will plan the veneers in cases where the teeth are already damagaed – perhaps by other old fillings, or by excessive wear on the teeth. In both cases the teeth will already be weakened. The dentist will usually take a minimal amount off the front of the teeth to be veneered – less than a millimetre which still leaves most of the enamel on the tooth. It is minimally damaging to the tooth when performed in this way.
How do they stay on?
The porcelain veneers are treated on the surface which will be bonded to the tooth. The dentist then treats the surfaces of the teeth to be veneered and puts a very thin but powerful adhesive onto the tooth which holds the veneer in place. When done properly, veneers can last for years as when something is bonded to the enamel of the tooth it is as strong as the original tooth.
So they can actually strengthen my teeth?