A dental veneer or laminate is a thin covering applied to the front surface of a tooth to modify its shape or colour and dramatically improve its appearance. It can be likened to the way an acrylic nail transforms a person’s natural fingernail.

Dental veneers can be applied to one or more teeth individually, but are most commonly used for the front teeth, which are the most visible.

We provide the following veneer treatments:

• Composite resin (also known as composite veneers)
• Porcelain veneers (also known as ceramic veneers)

They can enhance the appearance of:

• Discoloured teeth (although whitening may be recommended as a first step)
• Teeth that don’t quite line up
• Misshapen or chipped teeth
• Worn teeth
• Teeth with gaps

Composite resin

Composite resin veneers or composite veneers are a more conservative treatment option, as they can be placed without any tooth preparation and cause limited impact to the underlying natural tooth. They can also be repaired, repolished and removed more easily than porcelain veneers.

They also offer the benefit of causing limited impact to the underlying natural tooth. Because they are sculpted and handcrafted directly onto the tooth surface, it may not be necessary to prepare a mould or have a second appointment.

 

Porcelain veneers

Porcelain veneers, also known as ceramic veneers, are custom-made outside the mouth, using a precise mould of the teeth.

They are longer lasting, less likely to chip and discolour, and create a beautiful aesthetic appearance, however they are less easily repaired than composite veneers. To ensure the veneer or laminate is positioned well on the tooth so it looks natural, your tooth will need to be reduced slightly, a process that requires more than one appointment for planning, preparation and then completion.