What is a veneer?
It is a thin section of porcelain which is bonded to the front surface of a tooth, it can be used:
- To improve the colour or shape of a tooth.
- To restore a tooth which has lost a corner(s) due to trauma.
- To close gaps in between teeth.
The technician can create very natural looking veneers using the latest pressed porcelain system which is excellent, has good translucent properties and mimics the natural tooth
What is a crown?
- A crown ( sometimes called a cap) completely covers the real tooth and is made of zirconia ( porcelain) or gold
- They are used to fix heavily filled or broken teeth
- The old tooth is drilled down by 1–2mm into a small ‘peg’ or core, onto which the crown is cemented ( glued ) The peg can either be digitally scanned and your crown 3D printed , or we can take a traditional ‘imprint ‘ using a putty like material. The lab technician can usually make your Crown within 2 weeks. We provide a temporary plastic crown during its construction
Frequently asked questions
First the tooth is assessed for suitability. Like all adhesive restorations, there needs to be enough sound enamel or dentine to bond to. The tooth is minimally prepared (less than 1mm is removed from the front aspect of the tooth) and an imprint is taken to send to the lab. You will be given a temporary veneer to wear during the next two weeks, then the porcelain veneer is fitted.
The tooth may first be made numb with a local anaesthetic. It should feel no different to having a normal filling done.
The porcelain itself is very stable, but the tooth beneath is still subject to normal risk factors for decay or gum problems. If your diet is good and you maintain good oral hygiene then veneers may last up to 10 years or more.
Crowns can perform the same job but are much more destructive to the tooth.
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