Veneers are usually made out of porcelain by a dental technician. You will have to visit the dentist more than once for this type of veneer.

• Your dentist will check any fillings in the teeth first.
• A very small amount of natural tooth material needs to be removed – just enough to prevent the veneer making the tooth look or feel bulky. For this reason, it may not be necessary for the dentist to numb the tooth
• Preparation time will depend on how managed the tooth is and whether it needs to be built up with a filling first
• The dentist will need to use a putty-like material to make a mould of your mouth (called an ‘impression’), so the dental technician can tell the shape and size of the veneer to make for you.
• Your dentist will glue the veneer made by the technician to the tooth when your next visit.
• Veneers sometimes come away from the tooth or break if the tooth is knocked or if you clench or grind your teeth. The can sometimes be glued back on, but will have to be replaced if they are damaged.
• Occasionally, sensitivity or death of the nerve can occur.

Some veneers are built up on the tooth directly using the same material that is used for white fillings. The surface of the tooth is roughened with a mild acid. The white filling material is applied in layers until the teeth look right.

Your dentist may recommend trying internal bleaching of the tooth prior to veneer placement. Sometimes this can lighten the tooth sufficiently so that a veneer is not required, or if the tooth is very dark, it can lighten the shade making it easier for the veneer to mask the discolouration.