Types of Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are usually made with two types of materials – resin composite and porcelain. Even though resin composite can be a fairly good option for a variety of reasons, most of our applications consist of porcelain veneers. Let’s find out why.

Note: This may not be the case every single time. Hence, we advise you to consult your dentist on what may or may not suit you.

Benefits of Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are the sort of cosmetic dentistry that not only boasts your self-confidence but also eliminates the need for expensive restorative treatments. More benefits of veneers include:

• Restoration of Appearance – Teeth can be chipped, cracked, worn out, or even discolored. When procedures like tooth whitening and filing fail, porcelain veneers become the ideal tool to fix all your cosmetic issues and restore the originality of your teeth.
• Durability and Stain Resistance – As mentioned above, porcelain is a durable and stain-resistant material. Due to its glass-like quality, porcelain veneers can go years without staining, even more so than your original teeth.
• Ease of Shaping – Unlike crowns, ultra-thin porcelain veneers do not need extensive shaping. Some don’t even require it at all. They simply fit over the teeth like an enamel layer, mimicking their original form.

The Procedure

Typically, dental veneers procedure requires 2-3 visits. These include:

Diagnosis and Planning

During the first appointment, you’ll explain the look you’re trying to achieve. Then, our dentist examines your teeth and determines the sort of veneers that suit you. We’ll walk you through the entire process and discuss any concerns you might have. We urge you to take an active role in this process and give any suggestions you’d like. Lastly, our technician takes an x-ray and an impression of your teeth.

Preparation

To prepare your tooth, your dentist will reshape the surface. Usually, the whole enamel is trimmed off, an amount nearly equal to the thickness of the veneer. Next, a model is constructed with the impressions and x-ray of your tooth. It is sent off to a dental laboratory where technicians professionally fabricate permanent veneers. This process can take up to 4 weeks. Temporary veneers can be used in the meanwhile.

Bonding

The dentists start by cleaning, polishing, and etching (a process that roughens the surface) your teeth. Then, the porcelain veneer is installed and trimmed until it achieves the perfect fit. After that, the shade is adjusted with the bonding cement, making it look as natural as possible. This bonding cement acts as glue between your tooth and the veneer.

After application, a light beam is shone that activates and hardens the cement instantly. This process can not be undone so think twice before getting permanent veneers. Finally, the dentist checks your bite, sensitivity, and alignment to make any adjustments necessary. Your dentist might call you for a follow-up visit to examine any potential issues.

Aftercare

Once installed, porcelain veneers require the utmost care. To reduce the risk of damage, avoid chewing or biting onto hard things like nutshells, bones, or foods like carrots. If you’re in a habit of grinding your teeth at night we advise you to wear a protective mouth guard while sleeping. With proper preventive measures and active care, it can last anywhere from 1-2 decades.