Porcelain Veneers

Transform the appearance of your smile with custom porcelain veneers at 525 Dental in London, Ontario. Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made shells designed to cover the front surfaces of teeth and can improve the appearance of certain cosmetic concerns, including discolouration, chips, uneven tooth shape and small gaps.

Veneers are carefully planned to complement your natural teeth and overall smile. Your dentist will assess your teeth, gums, bite and cosmetic goals to determine whether porcelain veneers are an appropriate option for you.

What Are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made ceramic shells that are bonded to the front surface of a tooth. They can be used to improve the colour, shape and appearance of selected teeth.

Porcelain veneers may be considered for teeth that are:

Discoloured or resistant to traditional whitening
Chipped or worn
Misshapen or uneven
Slightly misaligned in appearance
Uneven in size or shape
Affected by certain spaces or gaps

Veneers are primarily a cosmetic treatment. They are not intended to replace treatment for underlying cavities, gum disease or significantly damaged teeth. Your dentist will first assess your overall oral health before proceeding.

How Do Porcelain Veneers Work?

Porcelain veneers are individually designed for your smile. Unlike direct dental bonding, which is shaped directly on the tooth using composite resin, porcelain veneers are custom fabricated before being bonded to the teeth.

The process generally involves:

1. Consultation and Smile Assessment

Your dentist will examine your teeth and gums and discuss what you would like to change about your smile.

Your bite, tooth structure, existing restorations, oral health and cosmetic goals will all be considered when determining whether veneers are appropriate.

2. Treatment Planning

The shape, size, colour and overall appearance of the veneers are planned to complement your facial features and surrounding teeth.

Depending on your situation, your dentist may discuss other options such as dental bonding, teeth whitening, orthodontic treatment or crowns.

3. Preparing the Teeth

Porcelain veneers generally require preparation of the tooth so the veneer can fit properly and bond securely. This may involve removing a thin amount of enamel from the front surface of the tooth. The amount of preparation varies depending on the individual case.

Because some enamel may need to be removed, porcelain veneers are generally considered an irreversible treatment.

4. Impressions or Digital Scanning

Your dentist will obtain the information needed to create your custom veneers. This may involve traditional impressions or digital scanning, depending on the treatment process used.

5. Custom Porcelain Veneers

Your veneers are fabricated to the planned shape, size and shade.

Temporary veneers may be provided while your final restorations are being prepared, depending on the treatment plan.

6. Final Placement

At the placement appointment, your dentist will evaluate the fit, appearance and bite of the veneers. Once everything has been assessed, the veneers are bonded to the teeth using dental cement.

What Can Porcelain Veneers Correct?

Porcelain veneers may be used to improve several cosmetic concerns.

Discoloured Teeth

Veneers may be considered when certain teeth have significant or persistent discolouration that may not respond adequately to traditional whitening.

Chipped Teeth

For selected minor chips, veneers can restore the visible portion of the tooth and improve its overall shape.

Uneven or Misshapen Teeth

Veneers can alter the visible shape and proportions of certain teeth to create a more balanced appearance.

Small Gaps Between Teeth

In some cases, veneers can be used to reduce the appearance of small spaces between teeth.

Minor Cosmetic Alignment Concerns

Veneers may improve the appearance of teeth that look slightly uneven or misaligned. However, veneers do not physically move teeth like orthodontic treatment does.

If teeth require significant movement or correction of the bite, orthodontic treatment may be more appropriate.

Will Porcelain Veneers Look Natural?

Porcelain veneers are designed to resemble the appearance of natural teeth. Their colour, shape, size and contours can be planned to complement your surrounding teeth and smile.

A natural-looking result depends on careful treatment planning, appropriate tooth preparation, the quality and characteristics of the ceramic material, and the way the veneers are designed and placed.

Your dentist will discuss your desired appearance before treatment so that the final result is appropriate for your smile.

Porcelain Veneers vs. Dental Bonding

Both porcelain veneers and dental bonding can improve the appearance of chipped, discoloured or uneven teeth, but they work differently.

Dental bonding uses tooth-coloured composite resin that is applied and shaped directly on the tooth. It is often suitable for smaller cosmetic repairs and can frequently be completed in one visit.

Porcelain veneers are custom-made ceramic restorations that are bonded to the front surfaces of teeth. They generally require more treatment planning and multiple appointments but can provide a durable cosmetic restoration with good stain resistance.

Your dentist can help you compare the options based on your teeth, oral health, goals and expected outcome.

How Long Do Porcelain Veneers Last?

Porcelain veneers can provide long-lasting results when properly planned, placed and maintained. However, no dental restoration lasts forever.

The lifespan of veneers can be affected by factors including:

Oral hygiene
Biting and chewing forces
Teeth grinding or clenching
The location and condition of the tooth
Accidental trauma
Personal habits
The quality and condition of the supporting tooth structure

Porcelain can chip or fracture under excessive force, so it is important to avoid biting hard objects such as ice, pens or fingernails and never use your teeth as tools.

If a veneer becomes damaged or comes loose, your dentist can assess whether it can be repaired, rebonded or needs to be replaced.

Caring for Porcelain Veneers

Caring for veneers is similar in many ways to caring for your natural teeth.

We recommend:

Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
Clean between your teeth every day
Attend regular dental examinations and professional cleanings
Avoid biting hard objects
Avoid using your teeth to open packages or cut objects
Tell your dentist if you notice a chip, crack, rough edge or change in the veneer
Follow your dentist’s personalized recommendations

Veneered teeth can still develop cavities or gum disease, so maintaining good oral hygiene remains important.

Are Porcelain Veneers Right for Everyone?

Porcelain veneers are not suitable for every patient or every tooth.

Your dentist may recommend addressing other dental concerns before considering veneers, including:

Untreated tooth decay
Gum disease
Significant tooth damage
Insufficient enamel for predictable bonding
Certain bite problems
Significant teeth grinding or clenching

If a large portion of a tooth is missing or the tooth requires substantial structural protection, a dental crown may be a more appropriate restoration.

A comprehensive dental assessment is important before deciding on cosmetic treatment.

Are Porcelain Veneers Reversible?

Porcelain veneers generally require some removal of natural enamel to create space for the restoration and establish an appropriate bonding surface.

For this reason, traditional porcelain veneers are generally considered irreversible. Once teeth have been prepared for veneers, they will continue to require some form of restoration if the veneers are eventually removed.

This is an important consideration when deciding whether veneers are right for you.

Porcelain Veneers in London, Ontario at 525 Dental

At 525 Dental, we provide personalized cosmetic and restorative dental care for patients in London, Ontario.

If you are considering porcelain veneers to improve the appearance of chipped, discoloured, uneven or misshapen teeth, our dental team can assess your smile, discuss your goals and explain the treatment options available to you.

We can also help you understand whether porcelain veneers, dental bonding, teeth whitening, orthodontic treatment or another dental treatment may be more appropriate for your individual needs.

Conveniently located at 525 Oxford Street East in London, Ontario, 525 Dental welcomes new patients.

Call 519-672-1190 to schedule a consultation.