Some Commonly Asked Questions About Dental Veneers

The next step in teeth whitening discussed by a Sutton Coldfield cosmetic dentist.

We have provided dental veneers for a large number of patients over the last several years and it may come as no surprise to learn that a number of questions about this popular treatment crop up on a frequent basis. We thought that it may be useful to address this in a blog and hope that our answers will help any new patients who are considering our dental veneers service in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham.

If you are considering dental veneers though, and don’t find the answer given here, please do feel free to ask these when your initial consultation takes place at Arthur House Dental Care.

What are dental veneers?

Despite the wealth of information available online, this is still one of the most widely asked questions.

Veneers are typically made from a very fine layer of porcelain which is carefully fixed to the front of a previously prepared tooth. They are used to whiten very badly stained teeth where a tooth whitening procedure would be insufficient, and can also be used to repair damage such as cracks and minor breakage. They are also sometimes used to mask gaps in the teeth where traditional orthodontics would not be effective.

How much do they cost?

Rather than put specific costs on our site, it is much better for the patient to take up the offer of our free, no commitment, consultation. This will enable us to discuss your needs and give you a quote. It is worth noting that we do offer a range of payment plans which should have something to suit most patients.

A veneer itself is small and many people feel that this should be reflected in the cost. However, the materials from which veneers are made are not cheap and using less expensive ones would simply not be appropriate, durable or aesthetically pleasing.

Although there is an initial outlay, having good quality dental veneers like those fitted at our Sutton Coldfield dental practice near Birmingham, will enable you to have a great smile for a long time. With modern dental veneers lasting somewhere in the region of ten years, the initial outlay is actually good value for money when considered over their lifetime.

Are the benefits worth it?

This can only really be decided by the patient and is why an initial consultation is offered to discuss any pros and cons.

Whilst well-fitted dental veneers are durable, certain precautions should be taken. For example it is possible to detach a veneer by biting down hard on an object such as a pen top or even chewing your nails. We can replace undamaged veneers which have become detached but it is wise to take a little more care and avoid this in the first instance.

For most patients, dental veneers are stable and play a great role in improving the smile, whether by masking bad staining or repairing unsightly chips and cracks in the teeth.

What do I need to do beforehand?

There is really no pre-preparation involved for the patient. In fact, the whole procedure can now be done in one single visit thanks to the use of ‘Cerec’ which enables us to produce the veneers on the same day, without the need for an external laboratory.

How painful is the procedure?

Some preparation of the tooth’s surface is needed but as with all modern dental procedures, the patient should feel no pain during it. Some, it has to be said, do notice a temporary increase in sensitivity afterwards but this is only short term and should soon return to normal.

Naturally, the placement procedure will be done using a local anaesthetic to ease any discomfort and of course we will always discuss the whole procedure with you beforehand to address any concerns you may have.

If you would like a free consultation for dental veneers with absolutely no commitment; please call our Sutton Coldfield cosmetic dentists practice on 0121 323 4492.