Dental veneers are also referred to as porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates in the dental industry. They are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve appearance. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their color, shape, size or length. Dental veneers can be made from porcelain or from resin composite materials. Porcelain veneers seem to resist stains better and they are more durable than resin veneers.
Composite veneers cost less than porcelain veneers, but some people feel their disadvantages out way their advantages. Composite veneers do not last as long as Dental veneers and in the end, you will probably end up paying more to maintain your smile. Composite veneers work well in certain situations; people who have small chips are good candidates because this treatment preserves more of your natural tooth structure.
Dental veneers look similar to your natural teeth and give the illusion to the naked eye that the teeth in your mouth are straight and pearly white creating the perfect smile.
Dental Veneers can help correct and improve many types of dental conditions including:
The procedure usually requires around three trips to the dentist. One or more teeth can go through the veneering procedure. The following treatment will happen during the course of each visit.
Step one - The consultation: This first step involves active participation between you and your dentist. Explain to your dentist the result that you are trying to achieve. During this appointment, your dentist will examine your teeth to make sure dental veneers are appropriate for you. Remember to discuss what the procedure will involve and ask the dentist what limitations this procedure will involve. Write down a list of question before you go on your appointment. Your dentist may also take an X-ray and possibly make impressions of your mouth and teeth.
Step two - Make the veneers: To prepare a tooth for a veneer, your dentist will remove about half a millimeter of enamel from the tooth surface, which is an amount nearly equal to the thickness of the veneer is applied to the tooth surface. Before trimming off the enamel, you and your dentist will decide if it is necessary for you to have a local anesthetic to numb the area. After that, your dentist will make a model or impression of your tooth. This model is sent to a dental laboratory, which in turn creates your veneer. It usually takes one to two weeks for your dentist to receive the veneers back from the dental laboratory. If your teeth are in bad condition and you want to do something immediately the dentist can create temporary dental veneers that can be placed in your mouth.
Step three - Putting on the veneers (bonding): Before the dental veneer is cemented permanently to your tooth; your dentist will temporarily place it on your tooth to examine its fit and color. He or she will repeatedly remove and trim the veneer as needed to achieve the proper fit; the veneer color can be adjusted with the shade of cement to be used. Next, to prepare your tooth to receive the veneer, your tooth will be cleaned, polished and etched - which roughens the tooth to allow for a strong bonding process. Special cement is applied to the veneer and the veneer is then placed on your tooth. Once properly, position on the tooth, your dentist will apply a special light beam to the dental veneer, which activates chemicals in the cement causing it to harden or cure very quickly. The final steps involve removing any excess cement, evaluating your bite and making any final adjustments in the veneer as necessary. Your dentist may ask you to return for a follow-up visit in a couple of weeks to check how your gums are responding to the presence of your veneer and to once again examine the veneer's placement.
Veneers generally last between five and ten years. Eventually the veneers will need to be replaced. Composite veneers usually last a year, two at the most. There is always a possibility that the veneers can come loose and they could fall off. If this happens, you need to keep the veneer and get in touch with your dentist right away. Your dental veneers can last longer if you keep good oral hygiene and visit your dentist on a regular basis.
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