Thineers

These ultra thin veneers are a quick and easy way of obtaining a clean, white smile and without the need for any preparation. As a result of this they are chosen by people with busy lives who do not wish to spend a great deal of time at the dentist’s.

They have a natural looking appearance, are long lasting and stain resistant.

What is a thineer?

The name ‘thineer’ is a corruption of the words ‘thin veneer’. This is an extremely slim type of dental veneer, made from ceramic, which is worn for cosmetic reasons.

Advantages of thineers

Their ultra-thin appearance is the most obvious advantage but others include:

• Ideal for small sized teeth
• Hide stains and other forms of discolouration on the teeth
• Able to cover a bridge and/or crowns
• Hide the signs of chipped or damaged teeth
• Close gaps within the teeth
• Improve the look of misaligned teeth
• Improve confidence and self-esteem

Thineers along with lumineers and porcelain veneers are worn by people who work in a people facing environment or are in the public eye. They require a professional, ‘celebrity smile’ which can be achieved by cosmetic aids such as these.

Disadvantages of thineers

There are a few which include:

• Not suitable for teeth which protrude forwards
• Their extreme thinness means that the colour of your natural tooth will show through.
• The treated tooth can have a ‘bulky’ appearance due to its prominence.

If you opt to have a thineer fitted to a tooth which is distinctive then don’t be surprised when it appears to stand out even more. A very slim veneer will still allow some of the natural colour to show through which is not good news if you had dark or badly stained teeth to begin with.

Many dentists prefer to prepare the tooth beforehand by reshaping it so that it is slimmer and contoured perfectly to receive the veneer. This also reduces the risk of a bulky appearance.

It may be the case that thineers are only suitable for a small minority of people.

How are thineers fitted?

This is a relatively painless procedure in which no preparation is required which means no discomfort or wearing a temporary veneer for a period of time.

A thineer can be fitted in a single session. It is attached to the front of your natural tooth and cemented in place.