Veneers in London are an excellent means of dramatically improving the smile. The treatment has become increasingly popular in recent years because it offers such great results. It is well known that a person’s smile can make or break their confidence, and this can have an impact on all areas of their life. For many patients, veneers can be the solution to all the issues related to having teeth that are not cosmetically appealing: and this can be a life changing experience in more ways than one.
What are veneers?
This treatment involves creating an entirely new look for the teeth that makes them look more uniform, whiter and brighter. In essence, veneers can give the patient the much-desired Hollywood smile that is sported by their favourite celebrities. They are composed of very thin shells of porcelain that are placed over the teeth. These shells can close small gaps, hide misshapen teeth and give them a healthy white appearance.
How are they fitted?
The dentist shaves off a small proportion of the teeth to allow space for the veneers to be fitted. They then take impressions of the teeth which are dispatched to the laboratory for the creation of the veneers. This allows them to be custom made to fit each tooth exactly, giving a completely natural appearance. The dentist bonds the veneers to the teeth using a special kind of adhesive, then the treatment is complete.
Removing stains
This treatment is a very effective means of removing stains, especially stubborn ones caused by smoking. The teeth of smokers are often increasingly yellow with age, and veneers can be a great means of correcting this.
Can a person continue to smoke?
It is possible for a patient who has had veneers fitted to continue to smoke, however, they are likely to encounter several issues. Though the porcelain of the veneers is more resistant to staining than the natural teeth, the adhesive that is used to secure them is not. This means that if the patient carries on smoking after having treatment, then the area around the tooth is likely to become stained over time. The result of this is that the veneers no longer look natural, as the material securing them has become stained and there is an obvious line where the veneers and the teeth meet.
In addition, there is also the potential issue of gum disease. Anyone can get gum disease, but people who smoke are at an increased risk of this condition. It causes the gums to become sore, red and inflamed. A person with gum disease is likely to develop bad breath, and if it is not treated then the result is often tooth loss.
The dentist must remove veneers before they are able to treat gum disease. This means that the patient needs to have their veneers replaced once the disease has been resolved, a process that can be frustrating at best.
Stop smoking
The best way to prevent all these issues from occurring is to stop smoking before having treatment with veneers. There is a wide range of stop smoking support available, including nicotine replacement therapy which allows smokers to gradually wean themselves off this highly addictive drug.
