Dental veneers are thin shells, attached to the front of the teeth to improve their appearance.
In what cases are veneers placed, and can veneers be placed if there are no teeth?
What are veneers used for?
Dental veneers, can help create the perfect smile.
They can hide the following defects:
- chipped teeth
- cracked teeth;
- discolored teeth that cannot be whitened;
- crooked teeth;
- large gaps between
Dental veneers were invented in the 1930s by Dr Charles Pincus to mask the dental defects of Hollywood stars. With the help of powder used in dental prosthetics, ceramic plates were attached to teeth, which became known as veneers. They were installed only for the filming time, did not hold on to the teeth very firmly, and were more of a decoration than a dental technology.
Nevertheless, it was thanks to Pincus that the phrase “Hollywood smile” appeared, and the doctor himself was called a “Star Dentist”. Famous actors – Elizabeth Taylor, Judy Garland, Shirley Temple, Fred Astaire and many others were among his clients.
Over time, veneers became popular outside of Hollywood due to their ability to create the coveted “Hollywood smile”.
Nowadays, most veneers are a permanent fixture that is fixed to the front of the teeth.
Modern dental veneers are mostly made of porcelain. Before installing them, the tooth surface must be thoroughly prepared. Enamel preparation needs particular attention. At Yarema Dental clinic, this preparation is performed under optics, so it is minimally invasive. Templates are used in preparation, which allow you to carefully control the process.
Veneers are made individually, after taking a toothprint.
Several types of porcelain are used for producing porcelain dental veneers, each of which has its own characteristics and advantages.
Proper material for veneers, depending on the patient’s needs and body characteristics, is chosen by a qualified dentist individually.
When manufactured, the veneers are fixed to the teeth with dental cement.
Can veneers replace lost teeth?
If a person is missing teeth, veneers are not an option. After all, each veneer is attached to one tooth to create a natural smile. To get a veneer installed, the patient must have a natural tooth structure. The tooth should be large enough to hold the veneer and should not be broken or decayed.
If the tooth is too small to hold a veneer, the dentist may suggest a crown to protect the tooth and improve its appearance.
Dental implants might be the solution to the problem of missing teeth, instead of veneers. Dentures allow you to enjoy your favourite food, which is usually not possible with removable dentures.
Durability, stability and improved appearance are all advantages of dental implants. Dental implants look and feel just like natural teeth and are effective for daily chewing and speaking. Most importantly, with proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime.
If you want to have a Hollywood smile but are missing one of your front teeth, you have three options.
The first option is to have veneers glued on your existing teeth and a dental implant fixed separately to replace the missing tooth. A ceramic crown will also need to be placed on it.
An implant crown matches the shape and color shades of the surrounding teeth.
The second option is to remove an existing tooth and replace it with a dental implant. This may be appropriate for people whose front teeth are severely damaged, broken, infected or cracked from the root.
If you are missing a tooth and the surrounding ones look bad, you may consider a dental bridge to mask the teeth and fill in the gap.
Bridges are suitable for heavily worn teeth that still have a healthy root and create the same aesthetic as veneers.
Why is it important to replace missing teeth?
People often refuse or postpone replacing a missing tooth, especially if it is in a hard-to-reach place.
Unfortunately, missing a tooth can negatively affect your overall oral health. Due to the absence of one tooth, other teeth will begin to shift, and may become crooked and crowded. The risk of gum disease will also increase. Due to the absence of the “back” teeth, the load on the front teeth will increase when chewing, which will lead to their faster wear.
After a while, the absence of a tooth can lead to bone loss, gum disease and, ultimately, the loss of other teeth.
What other solutions are available to improve the appearance of your teeth?
If your teeth are discolored, Yarema Dental can offer you various options to make your smile snow-white. In particular, teeth whitening, professional cleaning, etc.
If your teeth are slightly crooked or crowded, they can be straightened with the help of aligners.
Contact your dentist to get a personalized solution. An experienced dentist will assess your oral health and advise you on the best course of treatment.
Aesthetic dentistry can help you get the smile of your dreams in a quality and painless way.