A perfect smile is very rare unless a patient has undergone some form of cosmetic dental treatment. If you are unhappy with the appearance of your teeth then rest assured that you are not alone. At least half of the adult population in the UK want to improve the appearance of their teeth and thanks to advances in digital dental technology this is now easier and more convenient than ever before. There are many different types of cosmetic dental treatments to meet your individual dental needs. If you are looking to improve the appearance of your teeth then you need to begin by speaking to your dentist. Cosmetic dental treatment is suitable for healthy teeth and gums. If you have any underlying dental health conditions then these need to be addressed beforehand. This includes cavities, tooth decay or gum disease. Once treated you are ready to undergo cosmetic dental treatment. Cosmetic dental treatment is used to improve the colour, shape, size and appearance of your teeth. If you are looking to address all of these issues then you can speak to your dentist and find out about veneers in London.

Minimally invasive cosmetic treatment

A close-up of a guide of teeth

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Veneers are a minimally invasive method of improving the appearance of your teeth. They cover the front surface of your teeth and disguise all the imperfections underneath. Veneers are a conservative form of cosmetic dental treatment. They maintain the structure of your natural tooth. The tooth requires minimal preparation which involves slightly shaving the enamel so that the veneers can fit snugly in place. This is very different to other forms of cosmetic or restorative dental treatment, for example dental crowns. With dental crowns you need to remove most of the original tooth structure to restore the appearance of your teeth. With veneers your natural teeth remain as they are, rather they are protected by the veneer which acts as a shield, saving them from environmental factors that can affect their appearance further or cause damage, wear or tear.

Smile makeovers with veneers

Veneers can be used to improve the appearance of a single troublesome tooth or they can be used to transform the appearance of multiple teeth depending on your individual requirements. They are not used for all of your teeth, rather they are used for visible teeth. Most people who want to undergo a complete smile makeover have eight veneers, but often six is sufficient. They are used to disguise stubborn stains on the surface of your teeth. They can be used to disguise extrinsic stains that could not be removed by teeth whitening or intrinsic stains that are permanent and affect the internal structures of your teeth. Your dentist will help you decide on the best shade of veneer to match with your skin tone and help you achieve optimal results.

Veneers can be used to  change the shape of your teeth. You may feel that your teeth are too small and you want to make them slightly larger, this could be by lengthening the teeth or widening the teeth. You can make them more round, oval or square depending on your personal preferences. With extensive experience your dentist will be able to design the ideal set of veneers for you. Different shaped veneers suit different shaped faces and the dentist will help you achieve optimal results.

Some patients use veneers to improve the alignment of their teeth. This is suitable for patients with minor misalignment issues that are simply aesthetic. For example, veneers can be used to fill minor gaps between the teeth. If you have crooked or wonky teeth then you may need to have orthodontic treatment before you can have veneers. You can speak to your dentist about cosmetic orthodontic treatment, for example with Invisalign aligners which help straighten your teeth without drawing unwanted attention to your mouth. This is ideal for patients who are already embarrassed by the appearance of their teeth.

Long-lasting results

Once you have veneers you will be pleased to know that they last for approximately 10 to 20 years. This is ideal for those who have a range of cosmetic issues and do not want to undergo different types of treatments one after the other or on a regular basis. Rather with veneers you can transform the appearance of your teeth and enjoy a beautiful, confident smile for a very long time. If you visit the dentist on a regular basis and look after your teeth carefully then your veneers may last even longer. The dentist will be able to tell you when it is time to have them redone. Speak to your dentist today to find out more about veneers and improving the appearance of your teeth.