What are made of? How are veneers made?
The veneers can be made out of composite, which is used for cavity fillings, and the procedure can take place directly in the mouth, or out of porcelain which is an indirect method and is performed in a dental laboratory.
Benefits of veneers?
- Completely metal-free and fully safe
- Minimum invasive treatment
- Do not discolor over time
- Durable and scratch resistant
- Completely lifelike
Is the treatment harmful to the tooth?
No. Once the damaged or discolored tooth is numbed under local anesthesia the dentist removes only the upper tooth surface (enamel).
It is important that this procedure does not require drilling of the tooth and does not harm any other part (e.g. root canal or crown) of the tooth.
Disadvantages of veneers?
In cases of very crooked, misaligned or worn teeth, or people with grinding or clenching habits, unfortunately, veneers cannot be applied. In these cases dental crowns as a more durable, stronger and plastic restorative solution are necessary.
What is the process? How many visits and trips I will have to do in your office and country?
In every procedure, the first step is the right diagnosis and planning. After the plan is made, the doctor begins with the preparation (reshaping) the tooth. When using a veneer, this preparation is very small, and the doctor works only in the enamel of the tooth. He is taking off only about 1 or 2 mm out of it, just to make space for the veneer to come in that place. Sometimes, if the tooth is hypersensitive, local anesthesia may be applied. When done with the preparation, the doctor takes an impression of the whole jaw, including the tooth which will get a veneer, in order for a dental technician to have an image of the general situation.
The process of making the veneer can take one or two weeks, so the patient has to do 2 to 4 visits to the dental office. First, after the planning when the doctor begins with the reshaping the tooth and taking an impression. Then, in between making the veneer to see how it fits, and the final visit is to permanently cement the veneer. This is for indirect method. When working directly in the mouth, the visits shorten and the whole procedure can happen in one day (this is when the veneer is made out of composite. For a porcelain veneer dental lab must be included).
What problems can veneers correct?
With veneers ,the patient can fix teeth that has changed their color, either from a root canal therapy, some drugs, or colored fillings that changed the color of the tooth. They can fix slightly rotated or broken teeth. Also ,veneers are used to fix the gap (diastema) between some teeth.
What kind of veneers are right for me?
Depending on the situation in the mouth and the particular tooth, the chosen veneer can be made out of porcelain, which is a better solution, because of its biocompatibility with the tissue, better color and lasting, but on the other side is a more expensive solution. Composite veneers are cheaper, their making process is faster, but they are not as resistant as porcelain to the outside environment in the mouth.
What is involved in a veneer procedure?
After the veneer is made, the doctor places it temporally on the tooth to see if it fits perfectly. If needed, changes in the color and the volume can be done. When that is over the veneer must be placed permanently on the tooth, but first tooth surface must be etched to make micro porosities for better adhesion. Then special, light curing cement is placed, and the veneer comes over it. When the veneer is properly positioned on the tooth the cement can be cured, and that step the veneer is permanently positioned. With the next step, the doctor removes any excessive cement, makes final checking how the veneer is laying on the gums and the tooth.
What are the pros and cons of veneers against crowns?
Pros of the veneers are esthetic at the first place. Then, taking of very thin layer of the enamel of the tooth. Their making procedure is very fast, they last long time (up to 15 years). The visits to the dental office are reduced, and they do not require any special care more than everyday regular brushing and flossing.
The biggest con is the irreversibility of the process. Further, the tooth might become more sensitive. Sometimes, under pressure, they can fall off or break.
Are veneers my only option if I want a smile makeover?
They are not your only option. You can make a bridge, or a crown, but demands taking ticker layer off, working in dentin which is more painful, and demands more visits to the dental office. Also, you can have implants, but the procedure may last a year. Of course, once they are integrated, the implants can last a lifetime.
What’s the differences, pros and cons between traditional dental veneers and minimal or “no-prep” veneers?
These no- prep veneers are very thin (0.3 mm), made out of porcelain. Considering that the traditional veneers demand preparation of 1 or 2 mm on the tooth, these no – prep veneers do not cause higher sensibility and have a more natural look.
