A Long Lasting White Smile Using Porcelain Veneers

For long term whiteness, dental veneers may be the answer.

One of the most common reasons for having cosmetic dental treatment is to have brighter and whiter teeth. Our professional home whitening system is excellent for this, and the results last for many months. Eventually though, you will need to re-apply the treatment if you wish the whiteness to continue.

There are many reasons to have teeth whitened, and some do so for one off occasions; weddings and similar events being especially common. Others want to have their teeth looking great for the summer months, but seem less concerned during the darker winter days, and may whiten their teeth accordingly.

For patients from the Greenwich area of London who want to have their teeth permanently white, without the need for regular ‘top up’ treatments, dental veneers offer an alternative and semi permanent option.

Replacing stained enamel

Unlike a whitening treatment, which removes surface staining, as well as lightening the inner part of the tooth; a veneer replaces the stained enamel surface on the front of the teeth. This is especially useful where staining is heavy, such as in the case of a long term smoker. Instead of trying to whiten the enamel, it is, instead, removed using a tool known as a burr.

One the stained surface has been removed, impressions will be taken of your teeth and these are sent to a laboratory where the veneers will be produced. You will be fitted with temporary veneers during this time, until the new veneers are returned to the Confidental Clinic. This usually takes around one week.

Once the veneers have been returned to our Greenwich practice, you will be recalled so that they can be fitted to your teeth using a strong dental adhesive. Finally, the veneers will be trimmed, smoothed and polished to give them a white and natural appearance.

Maintenance

With good care, your new porcelain veneers should last approximately ten years. They are relatively straightforward to keep clean and you simply brush them as you do your natural teeth. Do take good care to also clean the natural tooth too, as well as cleaning between the teeth using dental floss. It is important to remember that whilst the porcelain veneer cannot decay, the natural tooth that it is attached to can. Any decay or damage to the natural part of the tooth that a veneer is attached to could cause it to become detached.

Porcelain veneers are non porous and will therefore not stain in the same way that a natural tooth will. It is still worth minimising your intake of staining food and drinks though, just to be sure and to help them keep their shine for as long as possible.

If you would like to discuss having your teeth whitened at the Confidental Clinic, whether for a one off event of more long term, please call our Greenwich dentists on 020 8858 1422.