What is a veneer?

It is a thin layer of tooth-coloured material that is placed onto the front of the tooth. This treatment is used to improve the appearance of a tooth, which may have been discoloured or damaged by decay or an accident.

What does this treatment involve?

• Your dentist may decide to use white filling material to build the veneer directly onto the tooth. For this approach, your dentist will roughen the surface of the tooth with a mild acid and then apply the white filling in layers until the teeth look right
• For a veneer made of porcelain, your dentist will take an impression first. This will show how the teeth bite together and the shape and size of the veneer required. The dental technician will then make the veneer, which will be glued to the tooth on your next visit
• You will need very little tooth preparation for this treatment, although the dentist will need to prevent the veneer from making the tooth feel bulky

What are the benefits of veneers?

Veneers can improve your appearance, as they can hide imperfections, whilst maintaining most of your natural teeth.

Teeth that have been treated with veneers can also be protected from further damage that can be caused by wear and tear.