What are veneers? Why are Veneers used in Dentistry?

A confident smile can change how you feel about yourself. If you are unhappy about stained, chipped or even slightly uneven teeth, veneers are the best solution. Dentists use veneers to help you improve the appearance of your teeth while still preserving the natural structure. Now let’s explore what veneers are and what to expect during your treatment.

What Are Veneers?

Veneers are thin, custom made shells that orthodontists bond to the surface of the front teeth. They help you improve the shape, size and color of your smile. Dentists design veneers to match your natural teeth, so they blend in perfectly. 

People choose Veneers to correct:

• Stained or discolored teeth.
• Cracked or chipped teeth
• Smaller gaps between teeth
• Uneven or worn down teeth
• Slight misalignment

Veneers give you a long lasting solution that helps you get a natural looking results with very minimal tooth preparation.

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What Are The Different Types Of Veneers?

Dentists offer different types of veneers. Each has a different purpose and suits different needs of the patient.

Porcelain Veneers:

Dentists make porcelain veneers from high quality ceramic material. These mimic the translucency of your teeth’s natural enamel. They don’t stain easily and provide long term durability.

Before placing the porcelain veneers, your dentist removes a layer of your enamel. This helps the veneer to sit naturally with the surrounding teeth. For example a dental lab customizes the veneers based on the impressions of your teeth. 

Composite Veneers

Dentists create composite veneers using tooth colored resin. Which is the same material used for dental fillings. Instead of sending impressions to a lab, your dentist shapes the composite material directly onto your teeth. 

These types usually cost less than the porcelain veneers. They also require fewer appointments. But they stain very easily and do not last very long. These are best for quick cost effective improvements.

Lumineers

Lumineers are very ultra thin and they don’t require enamel removal. The dentists place them over the existing teeth with very little preparation. Because they are very thinner than the porcelain veneers they don’t cover up any existing stains or damage to the teeth. But many of our patients prefer them because they feel less invasive. This is best for patients who need minimal tooth alteration. 

Removable Veneers

These removable veneers are also called the snap on veneers, fit over your teeth like a mouth guard. You can take them out and put them on whenever you want. These are just temporary cosmetic fixes. Many dentists don’t recommend them because they are not considered a long term solution or a permanent fix. Food particles can collect below them which increases the risk of tooth decay. This is a very short term or temporary smile enhancement.

Palatal Composite Veneers

Some Dentists (especially those who follow the bio-mimetic philosophy of dentistry) place palatal composite veneers on the back of your upper teeth. They are often used to treat wear of the tooth caused by grinding or acid erosion. They prepare only the damaged part of the tooth and this preserves the remaining structure of your teeth. This is best for people who have tooth wear on the inner surfaces of the upper teeth.

What Is The Procedure To Get Veneers?

1. Consultation And Preparation:

You will start with a consultation with your dentist. They examine your teeth, take x-rays if needed and discuss the goals. Together, you can decide on the most suitable veneer type. If you are fine, your dentist will reshape the tooth surface. Then a thin layer of the enamel is removed to create space for the veneer. Then the dentist takes the impressions or digital scans of your teeth. The impressions are sent to the dental lab to create your custom veneers. 

2. Custom Fabrication:

The impressions that were sent to the dental lab will be fabricated using porcelain or composite material. Technicians shape and shade them to match your original teeth. This process takes one or 2 weeks. 

3. Bonding The Veneers. 

Once your veneers are ready the dentist checks the shape, fit and appearance. They clean and shape your teeth before applying the special bonding cement. After positioning the veneers, it is cured using a curing light to harden the adhesive. The final adjustments are made to ensure comfort and proper bite alignment.

Aftercare And Maintenance

You need to care for the veneers just like your natural teeth. Brush twice daily and floss your teeth properly. You need to visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and checkups. 

Avoid biting hard on objects like bones, ice, pens or fingernails. The food that causes staining should be limited or avoided. It also includes drinks like coffee, tea, soda and red wine. If you grind your teeth ask your dentists about a night guard. With proper care your porcelain veneers can last up to 15 to 25 years. Composite veneers last 5 to 10 years. 

If your veneer chips or if you feel it has become loose. Contact your dentist to repair or replace it. 

Conclusion

Veneers offer an effective way to improve your smile. Whatever type of veneers you choose, they deliver natural looking results when they are placed by an experienced professional.  If you want to enhance your smile with a durable and aesthetic solution, book a consultation with our best experts at Hello Ortho. We give you a personalized evaluation and help you decide which veneers suit you the most.