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Dental veneers

What is it?
Very thin claddings attached to the front of teeth to improve colour or shape.

Timings
Typically 1 appointment to prepare, and 1 to fit veneers, with 1-2 weeks in between. Porcelain lasts 10-15 years, plastic 5-7 years.

Cost
May be available on NHS. Private treatment is £200-£1,200 per tooth, depending on material.

What are dental veneers?
Very thin coverings of plastic or porcelain, custom-made and glued over the surface of your tooth

What dental veneers can do.
They are undetectable and can disguise chipped or discoloured teeth, giving you a whiter smile than you could achieve with bleaching. They can also hide gaps or overcrowded teeth.

What dental veneers can't do.
Badly broken-down teeth aren't suitable for veneers, and are better fitted with a crown.

What happens during treatment?
A fine layer of enamel, about 0.5mm thick, is shaved off each tooth being treated, under local anaesthetic. The dentist takes an impression and may fit temporary veneers for the one to two weeks it takes for the permanent veneers to be custom-made. These are then bonded to the teeth with a special tough adhesive.

Results
Dental veneers produce a very realistic and immediate effect. Porcelain resists staining and chipping better than ordinary fillings.

Risks
Generally very durable, but may come adrift if you bite on something very hard, so avoid crunching on sweets. Veneers are sometimes broken through sports injuries, so use a mouth guard to protect them if you play contact sports.

Where to get treatment
Your usual dentist may be able to fit them, or they will be able to refer you to a dentist specialising in cosmetic procedures.

Cost
Veneers cost £200-£1,200 per tooth, depending on the material used.

Alternatives to dental veneers
Superficial staining can be caused by tobacco, red wine and coffee. Try whitening toothpaste or a DIY teeth-whitening kit, and a trip to a dental hygienist.
Some stains originate inside the tooth, and could be caused by a number of things including certain antibiotics taken in childhood, decay, discolouration of old fillings, or natural yellowing or browning from ageing. These may respond to professional whitening, done by a dentist.
Chipped or gappy teeth can sometimes be fixed with resin fillings, but veneers give a better result.

Dental veneers – help and info
Channel 4 Television takes no responsibility for the content of any third-party sites.

Links
Cosmetic Dentistry
www.dentalhealth.org.uk/faqs/leafletdetail.php?LeafletID=4
The British Dental Health Foundation answers FAQs on cosmetic dentistry and veneers.

Net Dentist
www.net-dentist.co.uk
This huge portal site lists websites with information on cosmetic dentistry and surgery in the UK.

Surgery Door
www.surgerydoor.co.uk
UK portal site with loads of information on dental health, hair and beauty, healthy eating and much more.

Books
Fabulous Face: Bible for ageless beauty by Bharti Vyas (HarperCollins, 2002)
This facial health and beauty therapy bible advises how to care for your face in a clear and comprehensive guide. It covers home and clinic treatments including cosmetic dentistry.
Get this book from Amazon

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