Veneers
Dental veneers are thin porcelain or composite films that adhere directly to the front of the tooth to improve its aesthetic appearance. Veneers are an excellent solution for a number of minor aesthetic issues.
Reasons for choosing veneers include:
- To change tooth colour
- To mask a chipped or broken tooth
- To change tooth shape
- To close a diastema (space between the teeth)
- To bring about a more harmonious smile
- They are a short and painless intervention
Veneers are made to measure by professionals practicing dentistry at the Lapointe Dental Centres. Affixing them is simple, painless and provides a long-lasting solution.
Since the veneer colour is chosen based on your tooth colour, you might prefer to first have your teeth whitened to give you a brighter smile.
Two types of veneer
Composite veneers
Composite veneers are fabricated on the spot right by the dentist and applied directly to the teeth. A single appointment is all that’s needed for this procedure that can restore your smile’s brilliance and hide imperfections.
Composite veneers have a shorter lifespan than porcelain veneers. Composite is less durable than porcelain, so you may need the occasional touch-up; however, this is easily performed.
Porcelain veneers
Porcelain veneers serve the same purpose as composite veneers. However, they are made in the laboratory. Porcelain veneers are a little like false nails in that they are made to measure and cemented onto the tooth surface. The full procedure requires two appointments: one to prepare the tooth and take the impression that will serve to make the veneer in the lab; and the second to cement the veneer onto the tooth.
Extremely natural looking, porcelain veneers are tough, resist staining better than composite veneers and are more durable.