Dental veneers are custom-made coverings that are placed on the front surface of your teeth. Veneers cover up cracks, chips, stains, and other cosmetic imperfections. Veneers are one of the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures.
There are several types of veneers. However, no one type is better than the other. You should choose the one that is right for you.
What are veneers?
Veneers are coverings that are placed on the front surface of your teeth. They are made from high-quality dental materials, such as tooth-colored composites or porcelain (ceramics). Dental veneers are used for cosmetic purposes. They can hide a wide range of aesthetic imperfections, including chips, cracks, gaps, discoloration, and more.
How veneers work and who needs them
Veneers cover the front surface of your teeth to enhance your smile. They cover up cosmetic imperfections. Anyone who wants to improve their smile can get veneers.
This type of dental restoration can cover:
- Chipped or broken teeth;
- Diastema (gaps between teeth);
- Stains that don’t go away after teeth whitening;
- Teeth that are too small;
- Tooth deformities.
It’s important to note that veneers are only suitable if you don’t have advanced tooth decay or gum disease. If you have serious oral health problems, you should address them before trying to improve the appearance of your teeth.
How are veneers different from crowns?
Veneers are a minimally invasive option for cosmetic dentistry, in which most of the tooth is left untreated. The veneer not only serves a cosmetic purpose, but it also repairs damaged or decayed tissue.
Both veneers and crowns are dental devices that improve the appearance and function of your teeth. They are typically used to restore teeth that are damaged in some way, whether they are discolored, crooked, chipped, cracked, or broken. Both veneers and crowns are made to match the color of the rest of the teeth, with the exception of all-metal crowns.
A veneer is attached only to the front surface of the tooth, while a dental crown covers the entire tooth. This makes veneers more aesthetically pleasing than crowns. Crowns are thicker than veneers—two millimeters compared to one millimeter.
What are the types of veneers?
There are several different types of veneers.
Composite veneers. Composite veneers can hide minor cosmetic imperfections. Composite veneers get their name from the fact that they are made from multiple materials.
Composite restorations can be direct – to achieve the desired results, the dentist uses a tooth-colored composite resin – the same material used to bond teeth. These veneers are faster and easier to install and do not require additional visits to the doctor. They are created directly on the patient’s teeth.
There are also composite veneers that are made indirectly, by a technician in a laboratory, after the doctor takes an impression.
Composite veneers will fuse to your teeth in the same way as ceramic, but are one of the most affordable options on the market.
On the other hand, composite veneers are not as durable.
You also have to be more careful not to damage them. Composite veneers are much easier to chip than ceramic.
Ceramic (porcelain) veneers. Ceramic veneers can correct a number of aesthetic defects. They are custom-made to fit your tooth anatomy. Before installation, the dentist must remove some of the enamel from your natural teeth. This roughens the surface and helps the veneers stay in place.
Ceramic veneers must fit snugly against your teeth. Many people choose ceramic veneers when they want to restore the beauty of their smile.
Advantages of ceramic veneers:
- the material they are made of is stain-resistant;
- they blend in with your natural teeth;
- they are durable, even when subjected to significant stress, and are resistant to chipping and breaking.
If you take good care of your veneers, in some cases you can expect to enjoy them for 15-20 years. In addition, ceramic does not affect your natural tissues in any way. This makes such veneers a good choice for people with sensitive gums or teeth.
Several types of porcelain are used to make porcelain dental veneers: molded, zirconium-reinforced porcelain, pressed ceramic, and feldspar.
E-max laminated veneers are a type of ceramic veneer. They are made of lithium disilicate with a ceramic coating. The material from which these veneers are made is characterized by a beautiful appearance and transparency. Their service life depends on care and can range from 11 to 25 years.
Lumineers – veneers without preparation or with minimal preparation are a less invasive option. Like traditional veneers, preparation-free veneers are also made to order. However, they require less enamel removal than traditional veneers.
Another advantage of Lumineers is that they are thin. The thickness is only 0.3 to 0.2 mm, which minimizes their invasiveness. In some cases, this allows the doctor not to interfere with the patient’s dentin.
However, it is important to understand that veneers without preparation often still require some enamel removal. In addition, they are not suitable for everyone, but only for people with even teeth – without gaps and crowding.
Which type of veneers is best for you
In order to choose the type of veneers, you need to consider several factors:
- Chewing loads and habits. If the patient has bruxism, this must be taken into account when choosing the material and type of veneers.
- Aesthetic expectations. It is important to discuss with the dentist your wishes for the appearance of the teeth after installing the veneers, including color, shape and size.
- Condition of the teeth. The degree of damage or abrasion of the teeth can affect the choice of the type of veneers. For example, feldspar veneers may be a better option for minimal adjustments.
- Stain resistance. If the patient drinks a lot of coffee, tea, or wine, porcelain veneers, which are more stain resistant than composites, may be a better option.
- Budget. Composite veneers are less expensive than ceramic.
- Durability. Porcelain veneers will last longer than composites.
Procedure details
During your first appointment, your dentist will examine your teeth and gums to determine if you are a candidate for veneers. If so, your dentist will prepare your teeth by removing a small amount of enamel. He or she will then take impressions of your teeth. A dental lab technician will use these impressions to create the veneers.
It may take several weeks for the veneers to be made. If necessary, your dentist may place temporary ones in the meantime.
During the second visit, the dentist will check the shape, color, and fit of the veneers, then finally cement them in place with dental cement. The dentist will check your bite and make any necessary adjustments.
People who have had veneers can eat or drink immediately after the anesthesia wears off.
Do veneers require any special care?
Brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits are all you need to keep your veneers in good condition. Be sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a non-abrasive toothpaste with fluoride. Avoid whitening products, as they can damage your veneers. To help your veneers last longer, you should also avoid biting hard or crunchy foods, such as apples, carrots, and tough meats. Cut these foods and chew them with your back teeth. Porcelain veneers are stain-resistant, but you should still avoid dark-colored foods and drinks, such as berries, red wine, coffee, and tea. These foods and drinks can stain your veneers over time.
What are the benefits of dental veneers
Dental veneers offer a number of benefits.
- They can significantly improve your smile:
- Resist stains better than natural tooth enamel
- Do not require additional care
Depending on the type of veneer and how well you care for it, they can last anywhere from 5 to 25 years.
What are the disadvantages of veneers
Veneers also have some disadvantages:
- You will lose at least some of your natural enamel
- Your teeth may become more sensitive to heat and cold
- The veneer may fall out or become loose
It is important to understand that veneers do not damage your teeth. However, the natural tooth structure underneath can still be damaged. Therefore, it is important to brush your teeth regularly, floss, and visit your dentist.
If you are unhappy with your smile, dental veneers may be the solution. Contact YAREMA DENTAL and talk to your dentist about your cosmetic concerns and find out if veneers are right for you.
Dentistry plays an important role in oral health. Our specialists can develop an individual plan that will preserve your smile for a long time.
We previously wrote about whether it is possible to put veneers if you have no teeth.