A veneer is a thin shell, usually made of a ceramic material, that is chemically bonded to your teeth to improve their appeara- nce. Ceramic veneers are probably the most aesthetic means of creating a more pleasing smile. Whenever possible, we would choose a veneer over a crown, as they require minimal tooth reduction (as little as 0.5mm). A veneer allows us to alter the position, shape, size and colour of a tooth to achieve a better blend with the rest of the teeth and the overall appearance of the face. This form of treatment is increasingly being used by people who appear in public and therefore need to look their best to create an impression. It can be used by anybody who is embaras -sed to smile due to any problem with their teeth. The result is quickly attained, usually within a week. A veneer, when it returns from the laboratory and is tried in the mouth, looks very thin and fragile. Indeed it is brittle. But once bonded onto your teeth, these veneers are very strong and will resist most forces encountered during normal eating. The strength comes from the bonding to the underlying tooth structure, while the veneer contributes to the strength of the tooth with its hardness, colour, shape, size and position.

Once your veneers have been placed and you are happy with the result, it is upto you to maintain them in this condition. Well maintained veneers should last you for a very long time. Brush and floss your veneers as you would other normal teeth. Veneers cannot be harmed by brushing. Use a smooth (non-abrasive) toothpaste so that the gloss of your veneers will not be harmed. A normal diet cannot harm your veneers. Just avoid extraordinary force that tend to damage your teeth. A typical example will be biting sugarcane. Ladies should ensure that they do not open hair-pins with veneered teeth. This places an unnatural force on them and may be harmful. Regular checkups will help ensure that your veneers are in excellent shape along with an long lasting and beautiful smile!