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Composite Veneers

Porcelain Dental Veneers London

Fitting a composite veneer needs no injection or drilling and it can transform a smile instantly. It is a relatively simple procedure especially in the hands of an experienced and very skilled cosmetic dentist.

The actual dental veneer, sometimes called a laminate, is a thin layer of material of various types that is placed onto a tooth. Composite bondings or veneers, will be a resin layer that is applied to a tooth. A composite veneer will fully cover all of a tooth. Used in this way the veneer will be placed over all the tooth except for the two front teeth and only the upper half of those teeth, closest to the gum, will be fitted with a composite veneer to compensate for yellowish discoloration. This kind of veneer has to be made of resin because it would not be possible to achieve this with a porcelain veneer.

Who might need a composite veneer?

the answer to that is almost anybody might want to have a veneer as they are used in a variety of ways such as:

  1. For improving the general appearance of teeth
  2. To offer protection to the tooth surface
  3. To alter tooth colour normally to a brighter or whiter shade
  4. To give teeth a straighter and more aligned appearance
  5. To fill in any gaps there are in teeth and make them appear larger
  6. To repair to a broken or chipped tooth

What is the advantage of having a composite veneer

Having a composite veneer is a treatment that is non-invasive and will improve your smile. We have set out a comparison between porcelain veneers and composite veneers for you below:

  1. There will be no requirement for drilling of the teeth when you have a composite veneer and because there is no drilling, composite veneers can be considered a reversible treatment
  2. Where porcelain veneers will cover the whole tooth composite veneers do not necessarily cover all of the tooth surface making them ideal for reducing or closing gaps in between the teeth quite often between the front teeth which is otherwise known as the diastema.
  3. A composite veneer can be easily repaired. if a porcelain veneer were to break or chip a new one would have to be made to replace it where is composite veneers are easily repaired and are a much cheaper and faster solution.
  4. Composite veneers can be replaced much more easily than would be possible with a porcelain veneer due to there being no drilling involved in the procedure.
  5. A composite veneer can usually be fitted and treatment completed in one visit to the dentist because they are places directly on the teeth and therefore offer an instant boost to your smile.
  6. A porcelain veneer or crown will normally be more expensive than a composite veneer.
  7. There is virtually no restriction on who can be fitted with a composite veneers.

How much would a composite veneer cost?

We have a long history of fitting composite veneers for our patients. The fees that we charge are based on our skill, experience and success rate, how long the procedure will take and how challenging the case is. Our prices are competitive and a composite veneer will cost usually between just under two hundred pound to just under three hundred pounds. This makes composite veneers very cost effective when compared to porcelain veneers.

Are there any disadvantages to having a composite veneer?

Here is a comparison of composite and porcelain veneers as treatment alternatives:

  1. A composite veneer may stain more easily than a porcelain veneer but they also can be polished and cleaned on a regular basis. The diet and the habits of the person can affect the level of staining that will be experienced.
  2. The quality and the appearance of a composite veneer depends entirely on the experience and the skill of the dentist applying them. To ensure the very best result it is always best to find a professional who has extensive experience in this area.
  3. You cannot whiten a composite veneer. However this is true of any type of dental restoration or veneer, including porcelain veneers. If a patient wants to whiten their teeth that should be done before the veneers are fitted after which the colour of the veneers can be matched to the newly whitened teeth.

Do composite veneers last as long as porcelain veneers?

On average a composite veneer will last from about 3:00 to about five years in comparison to a porcelain veneer where the life span of the veneer is around 7 to 10 years. There can, however, be a big variation with either of these types of veneer with oral hygiene and maintenance playing a big part on the longevity of either veneer.

How easily would a composite veneer break?

The answer to this question is not really. A composite veneer will not break easily and not in the way that a porcelain veneer will break. A composite veneer may chip possibly as a result of biting down or chewing on hard food or perhaps clenching or grinding the teeth. Even if they do break however the damage will easily be repaired in just one trip to the dentist. it would mean at least two visits to the dentist if a porcelain veneer breaks.

What are the steps involved with having a composite veneer?

First you will be examined at a consultation so that your suitability for this procedure can be assessed. A cast model can be made so that you can see what the results will be before the work is done, then based on the design and the shape of the veneers you want and the reason you want to have them a dental technician will make veneers in wax on a cast model for you so that you can judge the final look. This is achieved by taking impressions of your teeth that are then sent to the dental laboratory. While you wait you can have any teeth whitening you wish and any other work that's deemed necessary before the veneers are fitted.

We have a lot of experience in fitting composite dental veneers and would be happy to see you to explain what could be achieved. Call us now to book your appointment on: