Veneers are bonded to the visible teeth as ceramic shells. They cover discolourations and cracks, correct misaligned and broken teeth, lengthen short teeth and make tooth spaces more uniform. Our goal is to preserve as much healthy tooth substance as possible when correcting your smile.
We can attach ceramic veneers painlessly. Through the use of modern high-performance ceramics, adhesives and processing techniques, we can achieve optimal stability. In this way, we reliably avoid any possible breakage of the ceramic veneer.
First, we carefully examine your teeth to exclude or treat tooth decay, periodontal disease or any other dental condition. Before we start any treatment we take pictures and impressions to verify the final goal with you. We try to collect as much information as possible to make sure you get the result you had in mind when you first called us.
To visualise the final result we will ask the dental technician to create idealised teeth — known as the wax-up. Only then will we start treatment. If we use conventional veneers, we first have to prepare the teeth. We grind the outer surface of the tooth down to make space for the veneer. We leave as much healthy tooth substance as possible. If we use non-prep veneers, however, we do not have to grind the teeth down at all.
Once the teeth have been prepared for veneers we take an impression or a digital scan of the teeth, which serves as the basis for the veneers. After these preparations you will receive temporary veneers modelled on the wax-up — they protect the prepared tooth surface and imitate the final result.
In our master dental laboratory, we finally create plaster or printed plastic models from the impressions. On these models, our dental technician can customise the veneers. They either model the wafer-thin ceramic shell in wax and then press it (pressed veneer) or layer the veneer in ceramic (layered ceramic shell). Then the ceramic veneer is glazed and ready for try-in.
During the try-in, we insert the veneers into the patient’s mouth and precisely check the fit, shape and colour of the ceramic bowl. If everything is fine and the patient is satisfied we attach the ceramic veneers to the tooth with special adhesive cement. After treatment, you can use the veneers directly. Whether it’s conventional veneers or non-prep veneers, the veneers are no different from your natural teeth and adapt perfectly to the surrounding teeth.
If you grind your teeth at night or press them hard together (bruxism), a protective nightguard should be made for the safety of the veneers for you to wear every night. This avoids overloading the veneers and thus extends their durability. You can look forward to enjoying the final result for a long time as the long term 50 per cent survival rate of veneers is 25 years or more.
Veneers are a tried and tested method of concealing discolouration, deformities or fractures in the anterior region. To ensure that smokers enjoy their new white teeth for a long time, however, a particularly good oral hygiene is required.
Ceramics are a compatible and robust material. That is why veneers last a long time with good oral hygiene — 20 years and more in common. However, damage to the periodontium (tissue around the teeth), which is quite common in smokers, can prematurely lead to the loss of teeth and thus of the veneers.
Periodontitis is the most common reason for tooth loss in old age and is especially common among seniors. Smokers’ risk of this disease is up to 15 times higher than non-smokers. The infected gums respond worse to the treatment, the teeth loosen up faster and often require a prosthetic restoration. Should an anterior tooth be affected and fail, the veneer is lost.
In addition, tobacco use also promotes the development of tooth decay and oral cancer, not to mention general conditions such as heart attack or lung disease.
Smokers also often suffer from yellow teeth. Although discolourations and malpositions can be well corrected with veneers, the result only lasts with good oral hygiene.
High quality ceramic veins are colourfast, so they always stay white. However, studies have shown that smokers are more likely to experience veneer discolouration. This is mainly because nicotine quickly deposits itself on the surface of the ceramic bowls even with regular oral hygiene.
Brushing teeth twice a day is not enough. Use a fluoridated toothpaste to reduce caries growth by 20 to 40 per cent, and use interdental brushes or floss to clean the interdental spaces. This removes bacteria in places that is otherwise difficult to reach. As a smoker, it is best to use a soft toothbrush to protect the gums that are exposed to tobacco.
You may have learned at school to brush your teeth in a circular motion. Since this technique is only recommended for children, it is best to upgrade to an electric toothbrush.
Around 40 per cent of Brits have periodontitis, many without knowing it. Therefore the annual check-up at the dentist is very important. The sooner you spot dental diseases, the better the chances of recovery.
Smokers, in particular, are also recommended to have regular professional teeth cleaning to remove difficult to reach coverings and to better prevent dental disease.
Tobacco does not harm veneers directly but can affect the success of the treatment by discoloured deposits or reduced durability. However, if you pay attention to good oral health, you will enjoy your veneers for a long time.
For more information regarding this treatment
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Beautiful teeth – gently and effectively
“I would like to help you get that beautiful and radiant smile. With state-of-the-art ceramic veneers, many dental aesthetic problems can be solved permanently and very gently.”
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