Why Choose Raffles Dental?
24-hour emergency call-back service at Raffles Hospital island-wide
Clinics conveniently located island-wide
Be cared for by our experienced dental surgeons
Fully equipped with digital X-ray imaging services
What are Veneers?
Veneers are tooth-coloured shells that are bonded to the front of your teeth. Usually made from porcelain or composite resin, they modify the shape and colour of your teeth, as well as enhance your smile.
Veneers are usually used to manage the following dental conditions:
- Intrinsically stained or darkened teeth
- Misshapen or chipped teeth
- Peg laterals or misshapen teeth
- Teeth in faulty positions
- Gaps between teeth
Patients with healthy gums and teeth are ideal candidates for veneers. To evaluate your suitability, our dentists will conduct an examination of your teeth, followed by an x-ray.
If you are unsuitable for veneers, our dentists may recommend other procedures, such as crowns or braces, which can deliver the desired results. Make an appointment online or contact a dental clinic near you to find out if veneers are a suitable option for you.
Can Veneers Be Done In One Day?
It takes about 1 - 3 visits for veneers to be made and bonded to your teeth. The number of visits depend on the complexity of the procedure, as well as the type of veneers used.
| Simple Composite Veneers | Extensive Modifications / Porcelain Veneers | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration of treatment | Completed within a day | Requires more than one dental visit |
| Will enamel be removed? | Enamel may or may not be removed | Enamel (0.5mm to 0.7mm) will be removed to make space for the veneers |
For simple modifications, such as minor changes to the shape of your teeth, the procedure takes one visit to complete. Simple composite veneers are usually used in such cases.
During your visit, your teeth are cleaned; some enamel may or may not be removed and composite resin may be placed.
For extensive modifications, more steps are involved:
- The dentist will take an impression of your teeth, and use it to develop a treatment plan.
- During your next visit, we will share with you the proposed treatment plan, and the type of veneers used. If you are satisfied with the treatment plan, we will begin the procedure by removing some enamel from your teeth surface to make space for the veneers.
- The amount of enamel removed ranges from 0.5mm to 0.7mm. We may give you a local anaesthetic to ensure that the pain experienced is minimal.
Composite Veneers vs Porcelain Veneers
If composite veneers are used, the procedure can be completed within the same day.
On the other hand, we will have to make another set of dental impressions if porcelain veneers are used. Your dental impressions will be sent to a laboratory to be made into porcelain veneers.
Once the porcelain veneers are ready, you can make your final appointment and:
- We will clean and polish your teeth to ensure that the porcelain veneers fully bonds to your teeth.
- A special adhesive will be used to attach the veneers to your teeth. Using high-intensity light, the adhesive will be “activated” and cured to start the attachment process.
- Any excessive adhesive will be scraped off before the final adjustments to your veneers are made.
How Should I Care for My Veneers?
You may have to return for follow-up visits to ensure your teeth, gums, and veneers are in good working condition.
While your veneers will have to be replaced at some point; taking good care of them can prolong their use. Avoid stain-inducing foods such as coffee to maintain the shade of your veneers, and practice good oral hygiene. You should also avoid biting on hard foods such as chicken bone or crunching on ice.
If your veneers are old and worn-out, make an appointment online or contact a dental clinic near you to have them replaced.
About Raffles Dental
In Singapore, Raffles Dental provides a comprehensive range of services to prevent, diagnose and treat dental and oral diseases. Our dental clinics are conveniently located islandwide, and include Raffles Hospital, Holland Village, Woodlands, and Tampines. We are dedicated to providing the highest standard of professional care and service to our patients.