A dental veneer is a layer of tooth-coloured material which is attached to and covers the surface of a tooth.
To fit a veneer, the tooth will need a very small amount of enamel removed from its surface. This is usually completely pain free. A digital scan (yes, no more of the old-fashioned, uncomfortable moulds are taken) will be made of the tooth. The dentist will also record the colour that the new veneer will need to be to match the neighbouring teeth. This information will be sent to a dental laboratory who will make the veneer.
Until the veneer has been made the tooth may be more sensitive to hot and cold. A temporary veneer is usually necessary.
Veneers are used in a variety of situations:
When there is tooth discoloration that cannot be cleaned away
When there is an abnormal structure or texture, including chipping, fractures, or wear (erosion) of the tooth
To aid closure of spaces between the front teeth
To create the illusion of straight teeth with the desired colour and shape when the front teeth are slightly crowded
To camouflage front teeth that have multiple, shallow and unsightly fillings
There are no strong reasons against veneering a tooth. However, certain factors increase their risk of failure, such as grinding of teeth, excessively worn teeth, very large fillings, unfavourable bite (occlusion), vomiting associated with bulimia and chronic alcoholism and acid regurgitation as in hiatus hernia. They may also be unsuitable if the teeth are very discoloured.
