What are dental veneers

Dental veneers are ultra-thin shells of porcelain (ceramic) or a composite resin material, which are bonded to the front of your teeth. Dental veneers are an excellent alternative to crowns in many situations. Dental veneers provide a much more conservative approach to changing a tooth’s color, size or shape. Dental veneers can mask undesirable defects, such as teeth stained by tetracycline and damage due to an injury or as a result of a root-canal procedure. Dental veneers are ideal for masking discolored fillings in front teeth. Patients with gaps between their front teeth or teeth that are chipped or worn may consider veneers. Generally, dental veneers will last for many years, and the technique has shown remarkable longevity when properly performed.

Veneers can be used to correct a wide range of dental issues, such as:

• teeth that are stained and can’t be whitened by bleaching
• chipped or worn teeth
• crooked or misshapen teeth
• uneven spaces or a large gap between the upper front teeth

Dental veneers procedure requires little or no anesthesia and can be the ideal choice for improving the appearance of the front teeth. Dental veneers are placed to mask discolorations, to brighten teeth and to improve a smile.

Dental veneers are reasonable copy of natural teeth, not perfect replacements. It’s not uncommon to see slight variations in the color of veneers upon close inspection, as this occurs even in natural teeth. Nevertheless, this procedure can greatly enhance your smile and can heighten self-esteem.

Porcelain dental veneers

A porcelain dental veneer is a thin shell that is custom-made to fit on the tooth.

Benefits of porcelain dental veneers:

• they are strong and long-lasting
• they have a natural-looking surface
• less tooth enamel needs to be removed than with a crown or cap
• they don’t stain easily

Steps to place porcelain dental veneers:

1. To prepare the teeth, the dentist usually removes a small amount of enamel from the front and sides of the teeth. This makes room for the veneers so that your teeth look natural.
2. Your dentist makes an impression, or mold, of the prepared teeth. Your dentist also decides on the veneer shade that will be best for your smile.
3. The impression is sent to a dental lab that custom-makes the porcelain veneers to fit your teeth. This may take several days. The dentist may give you temporary veneers to wear in the meantime.
4. At the next visit, your dentist places the veneers on the teeth to check the fit and shape. After any adjustments, the teeth are cleaned and the veneers are bonded to the tooth.
5. Further changes may be made at a later appointment.

Composite resin dental veneers

A composite resin dental veneer is made from a tooth-colored filling material bonded to the tooth.

Benefits of composite resin dental veneers:

• usually less tooth enamel needs to be removed than for crowns or porcelain veneers
• may mean fewer visits to the dentist—sometimes these veneers take just one visit
• cost less than porcelain veneers
• are easy to fix if they get damaged; although composite veneers are generally not as strong or wear-resistant as porcelain veneers, composite veneers can be repaired easily and quickly

Steps to place composite resin veneers:

1. After your teeth are prepared or reshaped, the dentist carefully bonds and sculpts the composite material using a color that is best for you.
2. A special light is used to harden the composite and bond it to your teeth.
3. The veneers are smoothed and polished to look like natural teeth.

Dental veneers procedure

You may need up to three appointments for the entire dental veneers procedure: diagnosis and treatment planning, preparation and bonding.

It’s critical that you take an active role in the smile design. Spend time in the planning of the smile. Understand the corrective limitations of the dental veneers procedure. Have more than one consultation, if necessary, to feel comfortable that your dentist understands your objectives.

Before you get dental veneers

• Your teeth and gums must be healthy before you get veneers. Your dentist can treat any disease or decay before your veneers are placed.
• Dental veneers are not always a good choice for patients who clench or grind their teeth, because the thin veneers may chip or break. If you clench or grind your teeth, your dentist may suggest you wear a plastic dental night guard while sleeping.
• Although your dentist removes as little tooth enamel as possible for veneers, the process cannot be undone once the enamel is removed.
• It is possible for dental veneers to come loose over time. In that case, new ones might be needed.
• As with all your dental care, discuss all your expectations and treatment options with your dentist. Regular dental visits are a must for keeping your teeth and gums healthy.

To prepare your teeth for the veneers, your teeth are lightly buffed to allow for the small added thickness of the veneer. Usually, about half a millimeter of the tooth is removed, which may require a local anesthetic. Composite resin veneers are generally done in one appointment. After your tooth is prepared, your dentist carefully bonds and sculpts the composite material onto your teeth. For ceramic veneers, a mold is taken of the teeth, which is sent to the laboratory for the fabrication of the veneers. This may take several days. If the teeth are too unsightly, a temporary veneer can be placed, at an additional cost.

When your ceramic veneers are ready, the dentist places each veneer on the teeth to check their fit and get a sense of the shade or color. While the veneers are resting on your teeth, view the results, and pay particular attention to the color. At this point, the color of the veneers can still be adjusted with the shade of the cement to be used. The color cannot be altered after veneers are cemented. To apply the veneer, the tooth is cleansed with specific chemicals to achieve a bond. Once a special cement is sandwiched between the veneer and tooth, a light beam hardens the cement.

How about dental veneers maintenance?

For about a week or two, you will go through a period of adjustment as you get used to your “new” teeth that have changed in size and shape. Brush and floss daily. After one or two weeks, your dentist will ask you to return for a follow-up appointment.

• Dental veneers can chip or break under pressure. Avoid biting your fingernails and chewing on hard objects, such as pencils or ice.
• It may take you a few days to get used to the feel of your dental veneers. But do let your dentist know if your bite does not feel right after the dental veneer has been placed. He or she will correct it before you leave the office.
• Keep your teeth and gums clean by brushing and flossing each day. You can still get cavities under or around veneers.