Dental Veneers Patient Information For Porcelain Dental Veneers

This information serves to help you come to an informed decision in regards to your dental veneers.

Please note side effects and complications are uncommon to rare and we at Smile Cliniq would hope our rate is even less than the norm, due to the techniques and materials we use.  Also bear in mind the complications are no different to any crowns, onlays, veneers, deep fillings you may have had previously, it’s just you are now aware of them.

Please also note Veneers are covered by our 5 years guarantee (unless otherwise stated).

Veneer or Crown restorations may be recommended for a variety of reasons:

• Undergone root canal treatment
• Decay
• Severe tooth surface loss
• Poor aesthetic appearance
• Replace existing crowns/veneers with poor appearance
• To protect heavily restored teeth from breaking
• To restore broken down teeth and prevent further breakage

What are my options?

1. Do nothing! Leave and monitor the problem

Advantages:

• No treatment or cost

Disadvantages:

• • Underlying problem such as poor aesthetics will stay the same,  decay may get worse leading to the tooth needing a root canal treatment or extraction or the tooth may break further and may not be restorable in the future again needing an extraction or root canal treatment, post and core crown.

2. A Restoration such as a composite filling

Advantages:

• • • Treats underlying problem such as decay or fractured tooth
    • Treatment often finished in one sitting
    • More cost effective than a laboratory made indirect restoration (i.e veneer)

Disadvantages:

• • • Not as strong and durable as a laboratory made indirect restoration (i.e porcelain veneer)
    • If large and placed within a tooth, increases flexing forces on the enamel walls, causing them to flex and weaken and possibly fracture.
    • Stains over time

3. A laboratory made indirect restoration such as a Veneer

Advantages:

• • • Treating underlying problem such as decay, fracture, poor aesthetics
    • Stronger more durable (long lasting) outcome than that of a composite filling
    • Often a more aesthetic outcome than composite fillings (veneers)Disadvantages:
    • Cost – more expensive than a direct restoration (filling)
    • 2 sittings required
    • Risk of needing a root canal treatment on that tooth, as with large fillings
    • Risk of possible veneer de-bonding

I UNDERSTAND that treatment of dental conditions requiring Veneers involve certain risks and possible unsuccessful results. Even though care and diligence is exercised in the treatment of conditions requiring veneers and fabrication of same, there are no promises or guarantees of anticipated results or the longevity of the treatment. Nevertheless, I agree to assume the risks, possible unsuccessful results and/or failure associated with, but not limited to the following:

Reduction of tooth structure: In order to replace un-aesthetic, decayed or otherwise traumatized tooth structure it is necessary to modify the existing tooth or teeth so that veneers may be placed upon them. Tooth preparation will be done as conservatively as possible, but involves irreversible loss of tooth structure.

De-bonding of veneer: With newer adhesive materials, we are able to bond veneers to teeth.  This means we do not have to reduce as much tooth structure, which conserves tooth structure and decreases the risk of any future complications and treatment on these teeth, but also means the veneer may de-bond or fall off.  If this happens, we merely re-bond it!  In the first year this is free of charge treatment, if this happens afterwards, further fees are applicable.

Local Anaesthesia: In order to reduce tooth structure without causing undue pain during the procedure, it may be necessary to administer local anaesthetic. Very occasionally, such administration may cause reactions or side effects which include, but are not limited to, bruising, hematoma, cardiac stimulation, temporary or, rarely permanent numbness of the tongue, lips, teeth, jaws and/or facial tissues, and muscle soreness.

Sensitivity of teeth: Often, after the preparation of teeth for the reception of veneers, the teeth may exhibit sensitivity, which can range from mild to severe. This sensitivity may last only for a short period of time or may last for much longer periods. If sensitivity is persistent, you should notify us so that the cause of the sensitivity may be diagnosed.

Veneered teeth may require root canal treatment subsequently: Teeth after being veneered may develop a condition known as pulpitis or pulpal degeneration. Usually, this cannot be predetermined. The tooth or teeth may have been traumatized from an accident, deep decay, extensive preparation, or other causes. It is often necessary to do root canal treatments in these teeth, particularly if teeth remain appreciably sensitive or painful for a long period of time following crowning.  The chances of this happening are around 20%.

Breakage: Veneers may possibly chip, break or debond. Many factors can contribute to this situation such as chewing excessively hard materials, opening bottles, changes in biting forces exerted, traumatic blows to the mouth, etc. Unobservable cracks may develop in veneers from these causes, but the veneer may not actually break until chewing soft foods, or for no apparent reason. Breakage or chipping seldom occurs due to defective materials or construction unless it occurs soon after placement.

If you believe yourself to be a bruxist/tooth grinder it is your responsibility to highlight this to the dentist prior to any preparation as evidence shows bruxists have a higher incidence of breaking their veneers in the long term. If this is the case, your dentist will assess your occlusion (bite) and possibly recommend alternatives or recommend the use of a nightguard to protect the veneers during nocturnal bruxism.

Uncomfortable or strange feeling: This may occur because of the differences between natural teeth and the artificial replacements. Most patients usually become accustomed to this feeling in time. Very occasionally, muscle soreness or tenderness of the jaw joints (TMJ) may persist for indeterminable periods of time following placement of the crown or bridgework.

Aesthetics or appearance: Patients will be given the opportunity to observe the appearance of Veneers in their mouths prior to final cementation. If satisfactory, this fact will be acknowledged and recorded. You can be involved in the shade taking along with the dentist and you may be offered the opportunity to see the technician who makes the restoration for final shade taking.

For patients undergoing numerous veneers (in the case of a smile design) it is recommended to have a diagnostic wax up prior to any treatment. This provides a visual record of how you would like your final cosmetic appearance to look like. At this stage any adjustments can be made to your liking. This wax up can also be used to make your temporary veneers whilst you wait for the permanent veneers to be fabricated. Furthermore, the dentist can assess how your bite will affect the veneers so to avoid any unwelcome surprises after placing the final veneers.

Longevity of Veneers: There are many variables that determine “how long” veneers can be expected to last. Among these are some of the factors mentioned in preceding paragraphs. In addition, general health, good oral hygiene, regular dental check-ups, diet (amount of sugar and acidic substances), can affect longevity. Because of this, no guarantees can be made or assumed to be made concerning how long veneers will last.

It is the patient’s responsibility to seek attention from the dentist should any undue or unexpected problems occur. The patient must diligently follow any and all instructions, including the scheduling and attending of all appointments.

INFORMED CONSENT: I have been given the opportunity to ask any questions regarding the nature and purpose of Veneers and have received answers to my satisfaction. I do voluntarily assume any and all possible risks, including the risk of substantial harm, if any, which may be associated with any phase of this treatment in hopes of obtaining the desired and/or any results from the treatment to be rendered to me. The fee(s) for these services have been explained to me and I accept them as satisfactory. By signing this form, I am freely giving my consent to the dentist and/or all associates involved in rendering any services he/she deems necessary or advisable to treatment of my dental conditions, including the administration and/or prescribing of any anaesthetic agents and/or medications.

5 Year Guarantee includes any fracture of crown, veneers, onlay, large fillings and  bridge work, but does not include, failure due to underlying tooth fracture, secondary decay, trauma or accidental damage or fracture caused by inappropriate use (opening bottles) or de-bonding (loosening) or subsequent need for root canal treatment.  Also it is only valid for patients who attend bi-annually for examination appointments, to ensure there are no aggravating factors, gum disease, excessive force or plaque and food trapping.