Our dentist answers FAQs about dental veneers
Do you want to whiten your smile with dental veneers, but have some questions about the process?
At Byfleet Dental, our dentist in West Byfleet has helped many of our patients rejuvenate and whiten their smiles using the deployment of dental veneers, and would be happy to discuss suitability for this treatment with you in our clinic.
Have some questions about veneers? Here, our dentist in West Byfleet answers the most common questions that we receive about this procedure, so enjoy!
Does having veneers fitted hurt?
In a word, no.
When our dentist in West Byfleet fits veneers, we gently scrape or sand the front of the tooth or teeth that we want to attach the veneers to. This creates a rough surface that we can then apply the dental cement to.
Once the cement is applied, we will gently press the veneers on and wait for the cement to harden. And thus very quickly, the veneers are in place.
If you experience any uncomfortable sensations when we are fitting your veneers, please let us know!
How long does the process take?
From the initial consultation to the fitting itself, the process takes around 2-4 weeks.
At the consultation, we will assess your suitability for veneers and we will either use a mould to get an impression of your teeth, or we will use an intraoral scanner.
The mould or scan is then sent to a dental laboratory, where the veneers are made to fit your teeth out of either porcelain or composite.
Once back, the fitting process itself can take up to an hour, depending on how many veneers are being fitted.
Are they stain-resistant?
The natural enamel on our teeth is quite porous and so, when we eat or drink foods that are high in tannins, staining occurs over time.
However, with dental veneers, the materials used (either porcelain or composite) are less porous than enamel, and so they are less likely to become stained due to eating or drinking certain foods.
Also, depending on the shade of teeth you want to achieve, we can whiten your smile with the placement of veneers by up to 18 shades.
Can I smoke while wearing veneers?
You can smoke while wearing veneers, but as a general rule, we would advise against it.
This is not necessarily to do with the staining that occurs with smoking (although that is a factor) but more to do with how smoking impacts the health of your teeth and gums.
Smoking exposes your gums to an array of harmful chemicals that can cause them to become inflamed, which in turn, often leads to gum disease. Inflamed gums can cause veneers to pop off and so, the team at our practice will always advise against smoking.
How long will they last?
With correct care, veneers can easily last 15 years or more.
As mentioned earlier, correct care involves not smoking or drinking excessive amounts of alcohol and involves maintaining good dental hygiene while at home.
You will also need to see our team every 6 months for check-ups.