You have probably wondered where many celebrities get such stunning smiles. If it is the picture, they probably photoshopped it. However, very often these can also be porcelain veneers or composite veneers, which, however, in addition to allowing you to get snow-white teeth, also have other uses.
What are dental veneers?
Veneers are special shells made of appropriate, durable, and aesthetic materials that are applied to the front surface of the tooth. In the past, they were made almost exclusively of porcelain, but today there are certainly more possibilities, although ceramic veneers are still very popular.
How can veneers change a patient’s smile?
Veneers have two features that radically change the patient’s smile. First of all, they have an exemplary shape. Considering that the veneer does not have to match perfectly the line of natural teeth, but some mutual shifts are permissible, this allows for optical straightening of the patient’s teeth, even though their alignment or size is not ideal. Secondly, dental veneers have an excellent color. In the vast majority, white veneers are used, but you can also wear ones of color that resemble natural teeth. As a result, it allows one to obtain a visually perfect smile, individually tailored to the patient’s needs.
Veneers – indications
- Veneers can be used as a method of teeth ‘whitening’. While, of course, the color of the tooth does not change, by placing veneers on many teeth, you can get a very aesthetic appearance.
- Veneers can complement orthodontic treatment. Even if after its completion there are quite large gaps between the teeth, they can be reduced thanks to veneers.
- It is also a method for visually changing the size of the teeth, for example, in patients whose incisors are smaller than usual.
- Veneers can be used to rebuild teeth with a damaged surface.
Veneers – contraindications
- Veneers are not used in case of patients who have severe malocclusion. They cannot replace orthodontic treatment and can only be used with minimal malocclusion.
- An important contraindication is the ongoing carious process or gum disease.
- Veneers are not fitted on teeth after root canal treatment.
More in-depth consultations are required to place veneers in patients who suffer from bruxism, have a habit of biting their nails, or whose teeth are weakened for other reasons.
Types of dental veneers
Several types of veneers can be fitted in the dental office. They have a slightly different use, but also different durability and aesthetics.
Porcelain veneers
This is a classic solution, but it should be emphasized that although this technology has been known for a long time, taking into account the mechanical strength and aesthetics of modern porcelain veneers, they should constitute a separate class from veneers used 10 or 15 years ago. They can have different colors, but they are always durable, so the effect is aesthetic and natural.
Composite veneers
Multi-material composite veneers are usually cheaper than porcelain veneers, they are better able to withstand, for example, biting hard foods and are generally very strong. However, they have a perfectly uniform color, which is quite unnatural and not necessarily its desired effect, more so as they become discolored over time. Therefore, they are often used on side sections.
Acrylic veneers
These are temporary veneers, which are worn by patients who want to postpone the fixing of permanent veneers for a later time. They are cheap, but their lifespan rarely exceeds two years. They are also thicker and heavier than porcelain veneers, which can of course result in improved aesthetics, but most often the patient’s comfort is the lowest when using them.
How are veneers fixed?
The procedure of placing veneers is not difficult when it comes to understanding the idea itself. However, it requires special precision and very good preparation. Therefore, it is a seemingly easy task, but it requires an experienced prosthetist who will perform the procedure with outstanding precision.
- The dentist conducts a full review of the oral health condition to assess whether the patient is eligible for veneers or if the teeth require prior treatment.
- At the initial stage, the teeth must be thoroughly cleaned, so the build-up of tartar and plaque are removed.
- On cleaned teeth, the dentist reassesses the health of the enamel. It must be strong and solid. On this basis, it is assessed whether the dental veneers require tooth reshaping or whether the treatment can be carried out without this stage.
- A mock-up is being prepared, i.e. an impression and a model of teeth, which will be used to model veneers.
- If the veneers are to be placed after sanding the top layer of enamel, a minimal layer is removed very gently. On the one hand, it is about ensuring proper adhesion. On the other hand, the veneer does not excessively increase the thickness of the tooth.
- Temporary veneers made of acrylic mass are placed on the reshaped teeth. They will remain in place until porcelain or composite veneers are placed.
- Porcelain or composite veneers are permanently cemented to the tooth surface, which is prepared before installing veneers by etching.
The tooth-grinding procedure is performed under local anesthesia. It is not painful, but without anesthesia, it could be associated with a great deal of discomfort.
Do veneers damage teeth?
The veneer itself does not damage the teeth. Reshaping the teeth before placing veneers obviously damages the structure of the tooth. Natural enamel will not be rebuilt later. However, it should be emphasized that the veneer is a prosthetic solution that is the least invasive when it comes to violating the tooth’s own tissues, as the reshaping usually takes off only 0.08 mm.
What is the durability of veneers?
It is different for every type of veneer. Acrylic veneers last a maximum of two years, and solid veneers last a dozen or more years.
Can veneers be whitened?
It is not possible to whiten the veneers. Their color is selected before they are placed, while the materials from which they are made are not subject to subsequent bleaching. It is also not needed. Proper oral hygiene prevents the formation of unsightly discolorations.
Tooth veneers – prices
How much veneers cost depends not only on their material but also on the costs of preparation for the procedure.
Veneers – we do them right!
Is a beautiful smile and the natural appearance of your teeth what you are looking for? Do you want to get rid of imperfections in the least invasive procedure? Choose the color of the veneers, make sure you have no contraindications to wearing them, and enjoy a brilliant smile. Book a consultation at the HCentrum and we will show you all the available options. Together we will take care of beautiful teeth and oral health.
