Veneers

What are veneers?

Veneers are ultra-thin shells of porcelain or a layer of composite resin material (white filling) which are bonded to the front of teeth to improve your smile by masking discolourations, brightening teeth or changing the shape of misshapen teeth. They can mask teeth stained by tetracycline or discoloured root filled teeth and provide a much more conservative approach to changing a tooth’s colour than crowns.

Porcelain or composite veneers?

Composite resin veneers are more conservative than porcelain veneers as no tooth reduction is usually required, unlike porcelain veneers which require the removal of some enamel equivalent to the same thickness as the veneer. Composite veneers are also considerably cheaper, however they will tend to stain over time (although they can be periodically polished) and may need replacing more frequently than porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers are relatively long lived, but can fracture requiring replacement of the veneer. Porcelain veneers are also better at masking darker stained teeth, particularly discoloured root-filled teeth.

Speak to us if you would like to know more.