Patients around Chepstow and in the UK are turning to lumineers when it comes to alternatives to traditional veneers for your teeth. At Clifton Dental Studio in Bristol, customers are always asking about the difference between the two so we thought it would be a good time to enlighten you.
Veneers are used to cover up misshapen teeth, chipped or cracked teeth, stained teeth or to help create that dazzling Hollywood smile that many of us crave. Lumineers are a popular veneer option because they involve minimal preparation or even a ‘no-preparation’ procedure that is attractive to both dentists and patients. This technique is best used with patients who have spacing in their smile and only minor tooth rotations.
Most cosmetic dentists only remove enough surface enamel to allow a ceramist to make life-like teeth for patients so hopefully this will not leave your teeth overly sensitive – one of the biggest issues with having veneers installed. Often lumineers do not require the dentist to grind, cut or file down any tooth structure for proper placement. The veneers are adhesively bonded to the front of the teeth, making the process as much of a minimally invasive procedure as possible.
The thick nature of traditional veneers requires the grinding down of your original tooth structure. This can be a painful, anxious experience that many patients would prefer to avoid. What makes lumineers unique is that they are ultra-thin (approximately 0.2 mm) and highly translucent, allowing them to replicate the natural appearance of enamel. Once the procedure is completed, there is no tooth sensitivity or placement discomfort, so they look and feel natural from the moment they are put in place. So, when you have lumineers installed, you can eat and drink anything you want with the confidence of natural teeth.
Have you ever stood in front of a porcelain statue and admired the depth and beauty of the material? And those Romans loved it and showed it of with vigor in Bath. Wind the clock forward to the present day and see just how porcelain is used in all streets of life and through Clifton Dental of Bristol you can see first hand how it is used in dentistry, as the material itself reflects the natural hue that the teeth’s enamel gives off. So then, we arrive at porcelain veneer, a gem if ever there was one because not only having a veneer fitted will copy the sheen of your other teeth, but will cover up loads of ‘ageing’ issues in your mouth. Gaps, cracks and the recession in your gums can all be countered by having veneers fitted to your teeth and it truly is a simple operation to have done. The teeth are first prepped by having the enamel removed and then impressions are taken of your teeth and sent off to a lab so that the veneers can be made. Before they return, you will be fitted with a dummy veneer to protect your teeth. Then once they are made, they are cemented into place. Now, if you were to hold a porcelain veneer in your hand, they look so delicate and fragile, but with the cement, they multiply in strength and become very durable and hardy- lasting anywhere up to 20 years. But it is not just about their strength, it is all about the way they look and the rejuvenation they give to your smile- they are astounding and will turn your mouth back by a good 20 years too.
Dental veneers are thin porcelain slips that can be slipped over the surface of the teeth to disguise imperfections and stop any damage from occurring in the future. In recent years, veneers have become increasingly popular due to their many benefits for oral health.
Veneers can be made from porcelain and can be attached to the surface of your teeth by your local dentist in Chepstow.
Veneers can hide many sins such as: stained or discoloured teeth, cracks and crooked teeth. Often referred to as ‘instant orthodontics’, veneers can straighten crooked teeth much in the same way as traditional braces do, but with much quicker results.
Before your veneers are fitted, your dentist will prepare your original teeth through shaping and shaving off a layer of your tooth as this allows room for the veneer to be put into place. An impression of your teeth must then be take so that the laboratory has a mould from which to produce your veneers. Cleaning and etching of the veneers must be performed by your dentist before they can be cemented down in place over your natural teeth.
Veneers last for 5 to 10 years and eventually will need to be replacing. However, if you brush your teeth twice a day, attend regular check-ups with your dentist and follow a healthy diet, your veneers should be stable, secure and offer you protection for many years. You can get all the information you need about this procedure from Clifton Dental of Bristol.
Bath’s a fabulously beautiful city and so should you be, and if you can beam a smile like a shooting star, you’re half way there. Cosmetic dentistry is very affordable days, so there’s no excuse for you to star hiding away your teeth and losing your self confidence over a bit of wear, a few gaps or the odd crack or two- get down to your dentist and ask about porcelain veneers, for these have an incredible affect on the way you smile. Porcelain exudes light naturally, giving off an amazing hue- just take a look at any sculpture made from this material. It’s strong too, making it the perfect way to cover up any flaws in your teeth. It’s such a simple procedure to have done- essentially after your dentist has had a quick look at your mouth, prepared the teeth and taken a few impressions and moulds, they are sent away so that your veneers can be sculptured and then, once they arrive in the post, they are simply cemented into place. Once the bonding is complete, the porcelain trebles in strength that means, if you behave yourself and look after them, your looking at a good 10 years of use. But if you want to start smiling before the treatment even begins, take a look at the price- they are even available on the NHS.
There are many techniques available in Chepstow now to improve the look of your teeth. Bleaching and laser treatments have become very popular and very cheap too, but they are only as good as your teeth are. If your teeth have been subjected to wear or have become chipped or cracked, these treatments will not solve the problem. Neither will they plug any gaps that may have started to appear. This is the time to contemplate dental veneers. They are easy to fit to start with- your dentist will first remove the enamel of the teeth and then make a mould from which the veneer can be made. It normally takes a couple of weeks for the veneers return from the lab and then they can be cemented in place. However, CEREC treatment allows this whole process to be done in a hour, as the veneers are made in a machine on site. Lumineers are similar, albeit they thinner still, hence there is no removal of the tooth’s enamel- they are simply cemented over the tooth. But whatever the type of veneers you opt for, there is no hiding the fact, that they give incredible results. The length of the tooth can be restored and any cracks and gaps covered over. But it’s because of the amazing translucent look that the veneers have, where the most effective results are achieved. They look brand new, as well as looking natural and restore a stunning look to your smile
If you’re thinking of rekindling the smile you once had in Swindon, there are a lot of options on the market to choose from. Your choice depends on the condition of your teeth. If your teeth are in good condition but suffer from minor staining, chances are that a simple visit to the dentist or a hygienist will be enough to restore their look. But over time, teeth can suffer from deep staining that requires more radical treatments. Good teeth can benefit from simple whitening treatments. The cheapest are the home bleaching kits, from the ones that are available over the counter, to specially designed treatments that involve consultation with the dentist, such as Enlighten treatments, that utilise specially made trays for use at home. Following on from these are laser bleaching techniques, again, reasonably cheap, quick and available at the dentists. However, bleaching will not cover up chips, cracks or gaps. Hence, if you suffer from any of these, it may be time to consider veneers. Having a veneer is as simple as bleaching, though it does involve a couple of visits to the dentist for mouldings to be taken before the veneer can be manufactured and then fitted. The beauty of a veneer is it can be colour-toned to match the surrounding teeth, meaning that if only a single tooth requires treatment, then the rest of the teeth can left alone, unlike bleaching that involves all of the teeth. In the end, it depends on the treatment you require and how much you are prepared to pay and a consultation with your dentist should be enough to put your mind at rest and make your choice.
Feeling ashamed or embarrassed about any aspect of your personal appearance can knock your self-esteem and make social situations awkward. Given that your smile is often the first thing that people see, it is important that you get a long lasting solution to any issues you have with the appearance of your teeth.
The veneers which Chepstow dentists now offer can restore the natural look of your teeth in a simple procedure and, once fixed, can be cared for like normal teeth. They can be made from ceramics, composite bonding materials or porcelain for the best results and fit neatly over your stained, crooked or damaged teeth.
If you opt for porcelain veneers they can be designed and fitted in just one afternoon. They are often described as contact lenses for teeth because they are so incredibly thin. This means that hardly any work is required to attach them. In fact, the advent of CEREC technology means that your new dental veneer can be fabricated in just over five minutes. Your dentist will take a digital image of your affected teeth which is sent to an online milling factory which will craft the veneer while you wait.
Once the area has been thoroughly cleaned by your dentist, an etching agent is applied to ensure that the dental bonding has maximum grip to the existing teeth. Once the veneer is attached, you will be amazed at how natural it looks. Your dentist is able to match the veneer to your existing teeth in terms of colour, texture and even translucence.
Ask your Chepstow dentist today about how veneers can put an end to your embarrassing crooked, stained or damaged teeth.
Are you ashamed and embarrassed by the appearance of your teeth? Do stained, discoloured, uneven or worn teeth stare back at you every time you look in the mirror? You might think there is nothing you can do about it and that you are resigned to a lifetime of stifling a smile in public but you would be wrong. Porcelain veneers present the perfect solution to all these problems and are capable of transforming even the most damaged teeth into a beautiful smile. But what exactly are porcelain veneers?
In the most simple sense they are ceramic caps that are fitted and cemented over the top of the existing teeth. This sounds like a very simple procedure and in reality it is, but somehow it seems to do an injustice to the incredible results that are possible with porcelain veneers.
Porcelain veneers are expertly crafted to compliment your mouth and make the teeth look white, even and healthy. They will also benefit your profile and facial structure by replacing any support lost or missing due to the poor condition of your teeth. Modern technology such as Cerec has also revolutionised the way porcelain veneers are made. They can now be manufactured in a matter of minutes, sometimes even while you wait. The results are also incredibly accurate because of the involvement of computer technology.
Porcelain veneers will last between ten and twenty years, depending on how they are looked after. Effective brushing and flossing will prolong their lifespan, just like real teeth, giving you a smile you are happy with for years to come. The veneers can then simply be replaced with a new set in the future, when the time comes. Ask a Bristol dentist for more information about porcelain veneers
Being unhappy with the appearance of your teeth can cause a loss of self-confidence and make it hard for you to smile openly or even look people in the eye. There are many problems that can affect the appearance of the teeth, or perhaps they just developed unevenly or had a natural susceptibility to enamel erosion. But there is hope, using one of the many cosmetic dentistry treatments now widely available.
One of the most spectacular and dependable cosmetic treatments is porcelain veneers. This involves cementing shell-like ceramic caps over the top of the existing teeth to improve the shape, colour and size of the teeth. The veneers will be especially designed for your teeth by a Chepstow dentist according to your own specifications.
Porcelain veneers are particularly useful for patients suffering teeth that are discoloured or stained, unevenly spaced teeth or teeth that are suffering from enamel erosion. Once fixed in place, the veneers will not only look great but they will also add another dimension of protection to your teeth. Porcelain is the material of choice for veneers because not only is it very durable and tough, but it also resembles tooth enamel in both colour and texture, even having a similar translucent quality.
Porcelain veneers are not the cheapest dental treatment but when you experience the possibilities of treatment you will realise that they are definitely worth the price. If well looked after, a set of porcelain veneers will last in excess of twenty years and will help to bring back lost confidence and give you the self-esteem that comes from having a beautiful smile.
There are a number of companies that manufacture dental veneers. One of the biggest and most popular is Cerinate. Their most recent addition to the market is Lumineer veneers. Lumineers are a special type of incredibly thin veneer that can be used to reshape your smile and enhance the colour of stained teeth. They are also perfect for unevenly spaced and worn down teeth.
What is it that makes Lumineers different from any other dental veneer available? Well, firstly they are made of very thin yet tough porcelain that is about the same width as a contact lens. This means that little preparation work is needed before application. In fact there is very seldom a need to remove any of the teeth’s natural enamel, which can happen with some other laboratory-manufactured veneers. This also means that the whole process is completely reversible should you at any point need to remove the veneers without damaging the teeth.
Lumineers are so thin they can be placed directly over the top of existing dental restorations such as porcelain crowns and other veneers. This comes in very handy when the veneers themselves begin to develop stains after about fifteen years. Whereas some other veneers would need to be ground down or forcibly removed before the application of fresh veneers, Lumineers can simply be placed over the top.
Not all dentists offer Lumineer veneers because they have to be registered as an official representative of Lumineers. However, dentists in Chepstow offer Lumineers to restore the appearance of your teeth to give you the bright, even and healthy smile you have always wanted.
Dr Gerrard is a Bristol based Cosmetic dentist with many years of experience and is one of only a small number of dentists accredited by The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
