Our smiles are one of the most personal expressions we can have, conveying joy, happiness, and charming others. Everyone should be able to smile with confidence, and when discoloured, chipped, or otherwise damaged teeth get in the way of that, there are dental solutions to give you that perfect confidence-boosting smile.
With dental veneers, we can give your smile new life, freeing you from embarrassment and giving you the chance to show off your pearly whites. Veneers are renowned the world over as a minimally invasive procedure that drastically improves the appearance of your smile by fitting porcelain veneers to the front of your teeth.
What are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are designed to improve the appearance of one’s smile, especially if they already have severely discoloured, chipped, or misshapen teeth. They are custom-made shells cut and shaped to perfectly cover the front surface of your teeth.
This gives you a whole new smile without overly invasive procedures or the replacement of your natural teeth. Veneers are meant to look and act in the exact same way as your natural teeth, but with the perks of being able to choose how they look, from shape to colour. This makes them a popular option for those looking to have a smile makeover, and because they can last for over a decade, are considered a worthwhile cosmetic investment. It doesn’t stain and gives you the most natural tooth appearance.
It’s possible to have veneers fitted to all your teeth, though some opt for veneers just for one or a few teeth, especially if one becomes severely damaged. In this case, our specialists would specifically design your new veneers to fit seamlessly amongst your teeth. Typically, however, most tend to get 6 to 8 porcelain veneers made and fitted to create an even, symmetrical smile.
How are Veneers Fitted?
To fit a veneer, your specialist will typically grind down the front face of the tooth, sometimes needing to remove some of the enamel. This allows for the perfect secure placement of the veneer, but this is also an irreversible procedure and often requires a local anaesthetic.
Because of this, our specialists are committed to preserving as much of your natural smile and tooth structure as possible. We guarantee long-lasting results by using only the highest quality porcelain and technology to create the perfect veneers for each client. We make use of cutting-edge technology to give our patients the best idea possible of what their new smile will look like before we commit to any dental procedures, giving them the confidence to proceed with treatment.
Who can have Veneers fitted?
There is no one size fits all treatment for cosmetic dentistry, and veneers are not the solution for all patients. There are a number of factors that can stop veneers from being the option for you, including, but not limited to:
– Poor oral hygiene
– Teeth grinding/clenching habits
– Severely misaligned teeth
– Large gaps between your teeth
– Teeth angled too far facially (towards your lips)
– Insufficient tooth structure/enamel for bonding
Our specialists assess each patient to determine the best dental solution for you during consultations, be it veneers or any one of our other options. Note that if you’re only opting for some veneers, rather than a complete set, we recommend that you undergo teeth whitening treatment before your veneers are fitted to make the colour of your teeth match up perfectly.
How to take care post-fitting:
Taking care of your teeth goes a long way to making sure they last, and the same thing applies to your veneers. After they are fitted, here are some ways you can maintain them.
If you do tend to grind or clench your teeth at night and still opt for veneers, you can protect it with a soft night guard made for you by your dentist or one of our specialists. However, this doesn’t prevent daily tooth grinding/clenching. Avoid hard or tough foods, such as toffee, biltong, hard candies, etc. Keep up your oral hygiene routine to care for your teeth, such as daily brushing and flossing. Avoid abrasive toothpaste, and use an antiseptic mouthwash as you normally would. They do not prevent tooth decay and cavities, so it’s essential to still maintain healthy oral hygiene practices.
To schedule your next appointment in Cape Town
Your perfect smile is well within reach. Book a consultation with us, and our specialists will find the ideal solution for your teeth. For all your cosmetic and dental treatments, we are here to help you smile with confidence.