Veneers in Thailand

Further Information:

Veneers are thin slivers of porcelain or ceramic, which are permanently bonded to the front surface of the teeth and are very effective in restoring the original look of teeth. Veneers look beautiful and natural and can last for 10-15 years. Primarily applied to the frontal teeth only as these are visible.

The purpose of veneers is to improve the colour, size and/or shape of the teeth. For example:

• Veneers can improve the appearance of a single discoloured or stained tooth.
• They can brighten the front teeth, particularly the upper ones.
• A veneer can make a chipped tooth look intact.
• They can be used to close small gaps when Orthodontics (braces) is not suitable.
• They can also be used to bring a tooth that is slightly out of position into alignment with the others. (Invisalign)

Procedure:

Initial Consultation – Involves a detailed discussion with the patient to determine their requirements. The dentist will ascertain and advise if veneers are the appropriate procedure to achieve the desired result. Once this is complete, many dentists can show a visual prediction of how the final veneers will look on the patient.

Preparation for Veneers – An ultra-thin layer of the outer enamel of the tooth may be removed, to ensure that the veneer can be bonded permanently in place. The amount of enamel removed will be the same as the thickness of the veneer to be fitted. A local anesthetic (injection) may be used to minimise discomfort, but often this is not necessary. Once the tooth has been prepared, the dentist takes an ‘impression’, which is given to the dental laboratory, along with any other information required to make the veneer(s). ‘Temporaries’ may be placed on the tooth/teeth and will be assessed after a week.

Bonding of the new veneers – After 2-3 weeks, the final veneers are placed in-situ using adhesive. The tooth/teeth are cleaned, polished and etched (to ensure proper adhesion). The veneers will then be temporarily placed on the teeth to examine their fit and colour. The dentist may need to trim and shape the veneer to get the final desired look. They are then permanently bonded onto the teeth using a special adhesive.

Additional factors to consider:

1. Recovery time: After receiving porcelain veneers, there is no recovery time unless patients have opted for dental sedation. They can immediately go about their daily routine, including physical activity. Following the enamel removal, patients may temporarily experience some mild discomfort. For about a week, they may want to avoid very hot or cold foods, as well as extremely chewy, hard, or crunchy food. When this initial sensitivity wears off, however, patients should be able to return to their normal dietary habits.