Your smile, and subsequently your teeth, are one of the first things people notice about you.
Imperfections such as chipped, discoloured or misaligned teeth can negatively impact your self-confidence, so patients may look to veneers as an option to rectify their tooth imperfections and feel better in themselves.
However, many people hesitate to take the next step because they worry their veneers won’t look natural or realistic.
This article looks at how we can achieve natural-looking, realistic dental veneers and the types of veneers available to find the option that works for you.
You may find that our dentists and the veneer services we provide are the answer to the smile transformation you’ve been dreaming about.
What Do We Mean By Realistic Veneers?
When people talk about realistic veneers, they’re referring to teeth that blend seamlessly with your smile by being natural in colour, i.e. not bright white, and being a realistic shape and texture. Instead of looking like a completely new set of teeth, they are enhancing and improving on what you already have.
What Veneer Types Are Natural-Looking?
A natural smile is popular for many people, including celebrities, to enhance your existing teeth and improve your oral health.
When it comes to cosmetic dentistry, we offer a range of dental veneer types made from different materials to suit each patient’s treatment needs.
These include:
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are more durable than other veneers and are considered one of the best solutions for simultaneously enhancing your smile and oral health. They are resistant to stains, chips and cracks, and can easily mimic the light-reflecting properties of natural teeth, meaning they often look more realistic. They can be more expensive, but the results you see in your new smile are definitely worth the price.
At Bespoke Smile, porcelain veneers are custom-made to suit each tooth, creating the perfect, natural-looking smile.
Lumineers
Lumineers are ultra-thin veneers of 0.2 mm, typically made from a thin ceramic composite. They are very light, don’t require any trimming of the natural tooth, and can be easily removed. Lumineers are often used to improve the overall appearance of a specific tooth or multiple teeth and work to enhance your existing teeth, keeping a more natural appearance.
Composite Veneers
Made from composite resin materials (tooth material), composite dental veneer shells are placed over your teeth to disguise damaged enamel or discolouration, whilst remaining a realistic-looking tooth colour. They are considered the best option in terms of price compared to porcelain, and the composite veneer procedure can typically be done in one day. They are considered less durable, but with the correct dental care routine, they can last a long time.
Emax Veneers
Emax veneers (Hollywood veneers) are one of Bespoke Smile’s custom-made veneers. Created using pressed ceramic (lithium disilicate), the veneer is ultra-thin, super light and slightly translucent, giving the teeth a more realistic look. This veneer is a natural-looking material that makes them extremely popular. In addition, they are strong, durable and can last for twenty years or more with the correct care.
Laminate Veneers
Laminate veneers are made from ultra-thin dental ceramic, which is bonded to the tooth surface and, thanks to improvements in technology, they can look just like natural teeth. These veneers are considered the better option for preserving dental tissue, as only a small amount of natural tooth enamel is removed in the process.
Natural-looking veneers provide a wonderful finish to your new smile, so long as they are correctly applied and aftercare is adequately maintained. The veneers themselves are made in a dental laboratory, much the same way dental crowns are made.
What Makes Veneers Look Realistic?
Colour: Bright white veneers are a clear indicator of fake-looking dental work. Your dentist will work with you to choose veneers that either match your current tooth colour or are a natural shade to ensure they look realistic.
Shape and size: Using the shape, symmetry and angles of your current smile as a template, your veneers can be customised to suit you personally. Unrealistic veneers sometimes have a bulky, thick quality to them that can be avoided by following your original smile and simply enhancing it.
Spacing: Teeth that are cramped without any gaps may look unnatural and will also prevent you from being able to floss properly. A natural-looking smile will have small gaps and won’t be too close to your gumline to allow for appropriate care of your gums.
Interested In Natural Looking Veneers?
Although you may be in a hurry to improve the look of your smile, the veneer process, while fast and effective, does require a little careful planning.
At Bespoke Smile, patient cases are evaluated carefully to ensure they meet the criteria for the veneer process and provide the appropriate recommendations. Realistic, natural-looking veneers are a good option for treating misshapen teeth, gaps, chipped, broken, discoloured, and uneven teeth.
However, candidates should have healthy teeth and gums as well as an adequate amount of tooth enamel, as some tooth preparation may be required.
Furthermore, unfortunately, some cases are not suitable for veneers, and other options may need to be considered, such as a dental implant for missing teeth.
Assessment and Preparation
We will hand-design a bespoke trial smile made of composite resin on the teeth you wish to improve and provide a gum lift and shaping using our pain-free laser technology. This technique is rarely offered by cosmetic dentists as it is extremely difficult to do and has been around for many years.
Our dentists are internationally trained and highly experienced in this totally bespoke technique.
Our team at Bespoke Smile aims to discuss with you and understand all of your concerns – whether you are worried about any pain during the treatment or the end result, we are here for you.
Following an introductory discussion, we will conduct an in-depth health assessment. We will look at every tooth, assess your gums, and analyse your bite.
We also check for any speech, bite, or chewing issues that can be remedied with cosmetic dentistry to ensure that your treatment is effective and long-lasting.
We then complete a Cosmetic Smile Analysis, which might include scans and photographs to understand your complete oral situation.
3-Step Treatment Plan
Bespoke Smile patients are provided with a three-step treatment plan. The reason for this is to ensure they are comfortable and happy throughout the entire veneer process and that the final result is of the high quality the client is expecting.
- Trial Smile: During your trial smile visit, we will hand-design a bespoke trial smile made of composite resin for you to see the estimated end result. During this visit, you may receive a gum lift and oral shaping using our pain-free laser technology.
- Bespoke Shape and Colour Match: This visit is very important because it will allow you to tailor your smile to be exactly what you are looking for and ensure they naturally suit your face. We will assess the shapes, symmetry, angles, feel, bite, and texture of the trial smile and decide on the bespoke features that you would like to incorporate. The colour of your veneers is also chosen on this visit.
- The Fitting Visit: The trial smile is removed painlessly and smoothly, and the final veneers are permanently fitted to the teeth. This is followed by a comprehensive bite-balancing assessment to ensure the mouth is healthy and stable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do Veneers Last?
The lifetime of your veneers depends on the level of aftercare and maintenance you provide. With proper care, regular appointments, and annual dental checkups, you can ensure your veneer’s natural-looking beauty and prolong their life for up to twenty years.
What Criteria Do I Need To Meet To Get Veneers?
If you want to improve the appearance of your teeth using realistic, natural-looking veneers, you need to have healthy teeth and gums. During the initial consultation, we will assess your oral health.
Can I Get Veneers if I Grind My Teeth?
Teeth grinding, also known as Bruxism, can be highly damaging to natural teeth. Natural-looking veneers are an excellent solution for covering the damage caused by teeth grinding and can also correct and change bite patterns. Book A Free Consultation!