Dental veneers are thin shells that are attached to the front of the teeth to improve their appearance.
In what cases are veneers placed, and can they be placed when there are no teeth?
What are veneers used for?
With the help of dental veneers, you can create a perfect smile.
They can hide the following defects:
- chipped teeth;
- cracks in the teeth;
- discolored teeth that cannot be whitened;
- crooked teeth;
- large spaces between the teeth.
Dental veneers were first invented in the 1930s by Dr. Charles Pincus to disguise the teeth defects of Hollywood stars. With the help of the powder used in dental prosthetics, he attached ceramic plates to the teeth, which came to be called veneers. They were installed only for the duration of filming, they did not hold very well on the teeth, and were more of a decoration than a dental technology.
However, it was thanks to Pincus that the phrase “Hollywood smile” appeared, and the doctor himself was called a “star dentist”. Among his clients were such famous actors as Elizabeth Taylor, Judy Garland, Shirley Temple, Fred Astaire and many others.
Over time, veneers became popular outside of Hollywood due to their ability to create the dream “Hollywood smile”.
Nowadays, most veneers are permanent fixtures that are fixed to the front of the teeth.
Modern dental veneers are most often made of porcelain. Before their installation, the doctor must carefully prepare the surfaces of the teeth. In particular, we are talking about enamel preparation. At the Yarema Dental clinic, such preparation is performed under optics, so it is minimally invasive. Also, the clinic uses templates for preparation, which allow you to carefully control this process.
Veneers are made individually after taking an impression of the teeth.
For the manufacture of porcelain dental veneers, several types of porcelain are used, each of which has its own characteristics and advantages.
A professional dentist must choose the right material for the manufacture of veneers, depending on the needs of the patient and the characteristics of his body.
When the veneers are made, they 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. In order to install a veneer, the patient must have natural tooth structure. The tooth must be large enough to hold the veneer and must 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.
The solution to the problem of missing teeth may not be veneers, but dental implants. Dentures also allow you to eat normally, including all of your favorite foods, 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 everyday chewing and speaking. Most importantly, with proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime.
If you want a Hollywood smile but are missing one of your front teeth, you have three options.
The first option is to place veneers on existing teeth and place a dental implant separately to replace the missing tooth. A ceramic crown should also be installed on it.
The crown on the implant can be made in such a way that it corresponds to both the shape and shades of color of the surrounding teeth.
The second option is to remove the existing teeth and replace them with dental implants. This may be appropriate for people whose front teeth are severely decayed, broken, infected, or cracked from the root.
If you are missing one tooth and the surrounding teeth look bad, you can consider getting a dental bridge to cover the teeth and fill the gap.
Bridges are suitable for badly worn teeth that still have a healthy root, and provide the same esthetics as veneers.
Why is it important to replace missing teeth?
Often people refuse or postpone replacing a missing tooth, especially if it is located in a hard-to-reach place.
Unfortunately, the absence of a tooth can negatively affect the overall health of the oral cavity. Due to the absence of one tooth, others will begin to shift, and may become crooked and crowded. The risk of gum disease will also increase. Due to the lack of “distant” teeth, the load on the front teeth will increase during chewing, which will lead to their faster wear.
Over time, missing a tooth can lead to bone loss, gum disease, and eventually the loss of other teeth.
What other solutions are there to improve the appearance of teeth?
If your teeth have changed color at the Yarema Dental clinic, you can be offered various options to make your smile snow-white. In particular, various methods of teeth whitening, professional cleaning, etc.
If your teeth are slightly crooked or crowded, they can be straightened with the help of aligners.
Consult your dentist for a customized solution. An experienced dentist will assess the condition of your oral cavity and advise you on the best course of treatment.
Aesthetic dentistry can help you get the smile of your dreams efficiently and painlessly.