Dental Veneers – Porcelain Veneers, Procedure, costs, life and more

What are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are known to enhance and improve the aesthetics of a tooth and improve appearance. Wondering what dental veneers actually are? Read right through! The article will accentuate every information you require to know about Dental Veneers and its procedure. Defined as wafer-thin shells, dental veneers cover up imperfections such as chipping of tooth, decay, stains or crooked teeth. They are made of composite or porcelain material and are custom made with colour and shape to blend-in. Dental veneers are also called as porcelain veneers and are one of cosmetic dentistry’s most recent developments. This thin material is placed over the front tooth surface covering any and every tooth flaw – be it worn enamel, minor cosmetic issues, teeth whitening, slight position alterations, etc.   The process is not reversible (in most cases), hence one needs to carefully note down the pros and cons of the procedure before making a decision.

What can dental veneers do?

Dental Veneers can resolve single tooth or multiple teeth flaws. Teeth that may have been fractured, chipped, or discolored. they can also make your teeth stronger Regardless of what causes unattractive teeth, dental veneers can definitely solve most or even all of your cosmetic dental issues, some of the dental issues that can be solved using dental veneers are listed below  

• Worn enamel: Although enamel is strong, it is not indestructible. This thin, hard white substance covering your teeth (enamel) may still be worn down from harsh tooth brushing, coffee consumption, smoking, medication use or could be eaten away by highly acidic foods and drinks. And this is a major cause of concern as damaged or lost enamel does not grow back. Thankfully, they can be replaced!

 

• Like your footwear, teeth wear and tear too: Aging can cause teeth to wear down. Aged teeth are more likely to have cracks,  chips, or an uneven appearance.

 

• Genes play a role: There could be issues with your dental health from birth. A few people may have abnormal or extra spacing between their teeth from inception and as they age the gap could grow wider.

 

• Uneven teeth: Teeth grinding or general wear and tear can lead to uneven teeth, which can be perfectly aligned by dental veneers.

The two main materials used to fabricate a veneer are:   1. Composite Veneers: Also known as ‘same day veneers’, ‘componeers’, ‘resin veneers’ and sometimes ‘composite bonding’. Composite veneers are fabricated in a dental laboratory and are bonded to the teeth with resin cement or they can also be fabricated by the dentist inside the mouth. Composite veneers can be done in one day. They require maintenance as they are prone to chipping and teeth staining. But the advantage is that there is minimal damage done to the tooth structure and they can be removed when necessary. Composite veneers last for around 4-7 years.   2. Porcelain Veneers: Porcelain veneers are indirectly fabricated. It involves removal of a thin, approximately fingernail thickness layer, of the tooth’s enamel. The dentist then takes an impression of the problematic teeth. The impression is sent out to a lab that designs the veneers. This takes several days and requires the patient to schedule a return visit.     Although opting for porcelain veneers is expensive, it is beneficial in terms of durability. It lasts for almost 10-15 years and also, they are resistant to staining and look natural.

Types of dental veneers:-

 

1. Lumineers: These are identical to standard dental veneers, except that they are ultra thin and very strong and do not require trimming. The thickness of Lumineers is comparable to contact lens. They are made from crenate porcelain. But unlike standard veneers, a lesser amount of tooth structure needs to be altered to accommodate them.
2. Da Vinci veneers: These are similar to Lumineer and are thinner, stronger and more resilient to staining than standard veneers. Da Vinci veneers are the most sought after and very popular among cosmetic dentists.
3. MAC: They are composed of high-quality pressed ceramic which gives them a very strong and thick appearance.  They have the capacity to adhere very accurately on the surface of the teeth and are very resistant to wear and tear.  MAC veneers are mostly preferred for their aesthetic appeal

Procedure for dental veneers

The Procedure normally requires 2/3 visits. Here is what you can expect during a veneer procedure:

• The best tooth color for you will be chosen from a special shade chart.
• A small amount of the tooth surface will be removed to allow placement of the veneer.
• An impression is taken of the tooth and sent to the dental laboratory. This impression may be sent to an outside dental lab so the veneers can be professionally fabricated.
• In some cases, dentists have CAD/CAM technology in the clinic and may fabricate the veneer in just one visit.
• The dental veneer is then made to fit the tooth and mouth and the veneer is then bonded to the tooth.

Taking care of Dental Veneers Dental veneers should be cleaned and well maintained. They should be cleaned like your own teeth. It a must to floss once a day and brush two to three times a day with fluoride toothpaste. Do not allow food debris and dental plaque bacteria to accumulate.  Take advice from your dentist and regularly visit the clinic to help maintain the longevity of your dental health and veneers.