What is a veneer?

A veneer is a thin layer of material that is placed on the outside of the tooth. This allows us to change the shape, colour, and orientation of your tooth. A veneer can either be recommended for cosmetic reasons such as to correct the colour, shape, or length of teeth, or for functional reasons like patients with wear.

What kind of material is a veneer made out of?

There are two types of veneers. Composite veneers and Ceramic veneers. Composite veneers are made filling material and are completed in a single appointment on the same day as the veneer preparation. On the other hand, ceramic veneers involve a dental laboratory to custom make the shape and shade of the tooth using life like ceramic materials.

How much of my tooth will be shaved off?

A typical veneer preparation is very conservative and involves removing between 0.3-1.0 mm of the outside layer (enamel) of your tooth.

What’s the difference between composite and ceramic veneers?

Composite veneers

• The procedure is completed in a single visit, with artistically free handing filling material to correct the shape and shade of the tooth.
• They are weaker than ceramic veneers. They are not recommended with patients that grind their teeth or have a harsh diet.
• They tend to change colour over time. They are not recommended in patients with diets that involve heavy staining foods like coffee, red wine, and turmeric.

Ceramic veneers

• Ceramic veneers don’t stain over time.
• They are significantly stronger than composite veneers
• They provide an unparalleled life-like result that mimics natural teeth

What’s the procedure like for ceramic veneers?

1^st appointment

Tooth preparation and conservative removal of the outer layer of the tooth. A set of dental impressions & records are then taken to communicate with the lab and a set of temporary veneers are inserted during the wait period. The temporary veneer phase ranges from case to case but typically takes 2-3 weeks. During the temporary phase it is not unusual to feel some minor sensitivity to cold.

2^nd appointment

The final veneers are tried in. After you approve of them and are happy for them to be inserted, the final permanent cementation of the veneer in completed.

Written by Dr. Zeyad Hammad