Dental Veneers? Heard of them but don’t know what they are or what they do? Dental veneers are thin, tooth-colored shells that cover the visible outsides of teeth to improve their appearance. They’re usually made of porcelain or resin composite materials and are glued to your teeth permanently. Veneers can be used to correct a variety of cosmetic issues, like chipped, broken, discolored, or undersized teeth. Some people may need only one veneer if they have a cracked or chipped tooth, however, the majority need around six to eight veneers to attain a symmetrical, even smile. Veneers are most often used on the upper eight front teeth. Dental veneers are most commonly made out of porcelain or composite resin, and they require a lot of preparation. However, there are also “no-prep” veneers, which are administered using a different method. Traditional dental veneers entail grinding down the tooth structure and, in some more severe cases, could also necessitate the partial removal of the tooth – even past the enamel. This enables correct installation, but it’s an irreversible technique that can be uncomfortable and frequently necessitates the use of a local anesthetic. Based on your dental issues, the dentist takes a call on the number of teeth involved in tooth reduction. Using a max model, a dentist would be able to give you an example of how the veneers would look if there are several teeth involved. No-prep veneers, on the other hand, may necessitate some tooth preparation or changes, although these alterations are minor when compared to the traditional process. Porcelain Veneers Some dentists will start by grinding your teeth down and then taking an impression of them to create a mold. Following this, the mold is sent to a dental lab and the lab will create the porcelain veneer per the specifications of the mold. Whilst the permanent veneers are being fabricated in the lab, temporary veneers can be used. Finally, your dentist will position the veneer on your previously primed tooth and cement it in place once it is ready. On the other hand, there are dentists, that may employ CAD/CAM technology to design the veneer using a computer. With this technology, your dentist can create the veneer right in his or her clinic. Composite Resin Veneers If you choose composite resin veneers, your dentist will first etch your tooth’s surface and then add a fine layer of the composite material to your etched tooth. In some cases, you may need more layers of composite resin to acquire the desired look. Your dentist will then use a special light to cure/harden, the composite veneer. No-Prep Veneers These include porcelain veneers like Lumineers and Vivaneers, which are distinct brands. They take much less time to apply and are less intrusive. No-prep veneers simply affect the enamel, rather than removing layers of the tooth beneath the enamel. No-prep veneers don’t always necessitate the use of local anesthetics or temporary veneers. It is difficult to decide which veneer is right for you. You will need to take a few things into consideration including the cost, the amount of time the installation process takes, the durability of the veneers, and of course your dentist’s recommendations. Porcelain veneers have the following factors: they are more expensive, may need more than one appointment to install, are stronger and more durable than composite veneers, and are less likely to stain. Composite veneers, on the other hand, require less teeth to be removed in preparation, oftentimes one visit is enough to install them, they are more economical, they last for 5-7 years approximately, are easier to fix, and could get damaged more easily. It is astonishing just how much of a difference a dental veneer can make in transforming deformed, fractured, stained, or chipped teeth into uniformly shaped, naturally colored teeth! No one will be wiser. Since veneers are considered a cosmetic operation, they are rarely covered by insurance. According to the American Dental Association, the cost per tooth could range from $925 to 2,500. Composite veneers range in price from around $400 to $2,000 per tooth and lasts between 5 to 7 years. Traditional veneers are frequently the most cost-effective alternative in the long run. The cost of your veneers depends on a number of reasons, like the type of veneers you want, the brand name your dentist prefers, living standards in your area, and the overall experience of your dentist. On the other hand, a clinic where dentistry students are overseen by dentists can work out economically. The outright advantage of dental veneers is that they enhance the way your teeth look and make your smile even. Most often, veneers are used to address cosmetic dental issues like, severe discoloration or uneven coloring that whitening cannot fix, broken or chipped teeth, smaller-than-average teeth, gaps in the teeth, and weirdly pointed or unusually shaped teeth. Veeners are a sort of investment, given that they can last up to almost 10 years.
Prior to getting your veneers, you’ll need to meet with your dentist for a consultation to decide which alternatives are best for you and how many veneers you desire. Veneers need to be placed on relatively straight teeth so if yours are crooked or uneven, you may need braces prior to getting the veneers. This is where your dentist will probably take X-rays to assess the health of your teeth checking for any kind of decay, gum disease, or root canals if any. If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to get veneers.
At your next appointment, your dentist will trim down around half a millimeter of your tooth (removing the enamel) to achieve correct measurements for your veneers. Before taking a mold (imprint) of your teeth, they remove the enamel with a grinding instrument.
This mold is then delivered to the lab, where your veneers are made. Before taking a mold (imprint) of your teeth, they remove the enamel with a grinding instrument.
The time it takes for your veneers to arrive from the lab after your dentist prepares your mold is usually between 1 and 2 weeks. You can book a veneer placement appointment once your veneers are ready. Your dentist will assess the shape, coloring, and fit of your veneers during this session to ensure that they are ideal for you. Your teeth are then meticulously cleaned by your dentist. This inhibits bacteria from accumulating beneath the veneer thereby causing deterioration and is an important step in the process. Subsequently, a grinding tool is used to produce a coarser texture on each tooth that will get a veneer. This is done so the veneer can stick to the tooth better. The veneer is then bonded to the tooth with dental cement by your dentist. To solidify the cement quickly, they’ll utilize a UV light. This second session (during which the veneers are installed) typically does not take more than 2 hours. However, the cost may vary based on the number of veneers being placed and whether or not a local anesthetic is used.
Veneers differ from Dental implants and crowns. Crowns encompass the entire tooth, whereas veneers simply cover the front surface. Veneers are also thinner than crowns, measuring roughly 1 mm against 2 mm. Veneers are also less intrusive. If you require a crown, your dentist will need to file or grind down more of your teeth to prepare them for the crown than if you just wanted a veneer. A missing tooth is replaced with an implant where the implant is placed in the bone and a crown is placed on top of the implant. The area surrounding the implant may take several months to recuperate adequately so that the replacement tooth can be placed on top.
Unlike other dental treatments, the recovery time is relatively short. Instead, after the veneers have been bonded in place and any anesthetics have worn off, you can eat and chew normally. Be careful not to chew on your cheeks or tongue while the anesthesia is wearing off. Sometimes, veneers can feel slightly rough and uneven immediately after they have been placed. Mostly this is because of the additional cement which wears down after some days of regular eating and brushing. Your dentist can smooth them out if they don’t wear down normally.
Traditional porcelain veneers can last at least ten years (and some studies indicate that they can last up to twenty years as well), whereas no-prep veneers last about five to seven years at the most. By taking specific care, you can ensure that they have the greatest potential lives. Some things you can do to maintain your veneers are:
- Avoid chewing on hard things, such as pens, ice, or your fingernails, should not be chewed.
- Avoid chewing with your front teeth. Harder meals should only be eaten with your back teeth; hard items should be chopped up so that this is possible.
- Never open a package with your teeth.
- Wear a mouth guard if you participate in sports.
- Get a splint or retainer to safeguard your veneers if you grind or clench your teeth at night.