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Dental Veneers
Esthetics
Dental veneers are thin ceramic, composite or zirconium sheets that are attached to the surface of the teeth, improving their aesthetics.
The most frequently used materials for veneers are composites and ceramics.
Ceramic veneers
THE BEST CHOICE
Ceramic veneers are made in the lab by the dental technician. They require 2-3 sessions. They have superior aesthetics than composite veneers and are better suited in more difficult situations, such as fractures, dental fissures, spaces between teeth, dental malpositions and strong tooth stains.
The new types of ceramic are more resistant and reflect light just like the natural tooth enamel. Furthermore, dental veneers can be used together with other dental cosmetics techniques such as whitening and tooth crowns in order to offer patients remarkable aesthetic results.
The average lifespan of dental veneers is 10 years. Like natural teeth, dental veneers can be affected by mechanical traumas.
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Very well tolerated by the gums
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Long lifespan
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Ceramic reflects light, so they offer a very natural aspect
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Coffee and tea do not stain them, as opposed to the composite ones
Disadvantages
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More expensive
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Harder to fix
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Require a more thorough preparation of the teeth
Composite veneers are made by the dentist in his practice. Therefore, one session is enough. Composite veneers are a cheaper, faster and less invasive alternative than ceramic veneers for fixing minor aesthetic problems.
Composite veneers disadvantages:
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They are not as visually pleasing as ceramic veneers
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They are less resistant than ceramic veneers
Who can benefit from using dental veneers?
WHY YOU MIGHT NEED VENEERS
Dental veneers correct or remove various aesthetic problems such as: dental spaces, tooth stains, chipped teeth, dental fissures, minor dental malpositions.
In order to benefit from the dental veneers, the patient must have healthy gums, a good oral hygiene, a thick enough layer of healthy enamel, no severe occlusion disorders, no deep cavities in the front teeth and must not suffer from advanced periodontitis.
We do not recommend the dental veneers treatment to patients that suffer from bruxism. Even though the ceramic utilized is very resistant and durable, the excessive forces that the teeth are exposed to can, over time, lead to the detachment or breaking of the veneers.
Classic veneers vs non-prep veneers
CHOOSE THE BEST OPTION
Preparing classic ceramic veneers requires the removal of a thin layer of tooth enamel. Non-prep veneers, on the other hand, do not require any of the enamel to be processed; only in some cases do they require a very fine preparation.
Nevertheless, non-prep veneers have limited applicability. If the natural teeth are too big or tilted forward too much the non-prep veneers might create a visually unpleasing rather curved aspect. Furthermore since the ceramic layer is very thin and more transparent non-prep veneers are not recommended in situations where gaps need to be closed.
Preparing for and fitting veneers
THE TREATMENT PROCESS
It is important to know that the veneer application procedure is permanent. Once the medic removes a thin enamel layer, the tooth become sensitive and predisposed to cavities if it is not protected by covering it with the veneer.
The tooth preparation process is extremely important. A thin layer of enamel is removed from the front surface of the teeth to which the veneers will be applied. The thickness of the enamel layer depends on the type of veneers that is used, as well as individually, from patient to patient. Most treatments require 0.5-0.7 mm of enamel to be removed. Most of the times, dental anesthesia is not required.
After polishing the teeth, a true to size impression of the edge of the preparation is taken. The gum is gently pulled back with special retraction wires and/or cotton rolls. The impression is then sent to the laboratory.
Until the veneers are completed, the patient will wear a set of temporary veneers made by the dentist.
Before the final veneers are applied, the dentist and the patient check the form, aspect and color of the veneers. If necessary, their form can be slightly modified through polishing. The color and transparency of the veneers must offer the most natural aspect possible. Once the patient agrees, the veneers are cemented.
Maintenance of the dental veneers
HOW DO I CARE FOR MY DENTAL VENEERS?
Maintenance of the dental veneers is similar to the maintenance of the natural teeth, i.e.:
- A good oral hygiene
- Regular visits to the dentist. A good oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist prevent cavities and help keep the gums healthy. Even if the veneers are not affected by cavities, the teeth that support them can be.
- Giving up on bad habits. Bad habits, such as nail biting, chewing pencils, opening bottles with your teeth, involve strong forces that can lead to the veneers breaking or detaching from the teeth.
- Healthy gums. Tissue damage can mean gum retraction. Since a dental veneer ends where the gum starts, the retraction leads to the meeting point between the veneer and the natural tooth being visible, which means an aesthetically unpleasing aspect.
Ceramic dental veneers do not color in time. Smokers might see slight brown stains at the base of the veneers, but these can be easily removed by the dentist through a simple professional brushing.