Table of Contents
Introduction
Having damaged discolored or odd-shaped teeth can be of great concern for some people and can affect their confidence and self-esteem. Dental veneer is the answer to improve the appearance of the teeth and change a person’s smile.
Have you ever wondered why do most celebs have a dazzling smile that is so charming? It is because of Dental veneers that they achieve a perfect smile which enhances their looks.
This article will give you an insight about all aspects of dental veneers you need to know before scheduling an appointment with a dentist.
What are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are sometimes also referred to as dental laminates. They are wafer-thin, customized shells of tooth-colored materials fabricated to cover the front surface of teeth to improve your aesthetics (looks).These shells are fixed onto the front surface of the teeth giving them a new color, shape, size, or length.
TYPES OF VENEERS
There are two types of veneers: porcelain and resin-based composite veneers
1. Porcelain veneers
Porcelain veneers are strong, thin shells that are custom-made inside a laboratory according to each patients tooth. This may involve removal of minor amount of enamel from the natural tooth to make space for the veneer. The veneer is then fixed onto the prepared tooth to enhance the smile.
2. Resin-based composite veneers
Resin-based composite veneers are similar to porcelain veneers but they are less expensive and require less enamel removal. Sometimes, a dentist may not have to remove any enamel before placing the composite veneer. As opposed to porcelain veneers, composite veneers are designed by the dentist inside a dental office and doesn’t need a laboratory support.
What Types of Problems Do Dental Veneers Fix?
Veneers are routinely recommended by dentists to fix discoloration of teeth caused due to root canal treatment, fluorosis, stains due to drugs and other causes.
Teeth that are chipped or broken due to trauma can also be corrected using veneers.
Misaligned, irregularly shaped teeth or worn out teeth can be efficiently fixed using porcelain veneers.
Spaces between teeth do not look very pleasing, so veneers can be used to close these gaps between teeth.
Benefits of Dental veneers
Veneers offer many advantages over crowns or composite veneers. Porcelain veneers provide a natural appearance to the teeth. They are very strong and long lasting (on an average they last for 10 years).
They are fabricated from biocompatible material which is well tolerated by the gums.
As opposed to crowns, it requires very little shaping of the natural tooth, yet it is stronger and better looking.
They are stain resistant as compared to composite veneers. It is possible to mask the original shade of the natural tooth better by opting for porcelain veneer than composite veneer.
Steps to place porcelain veneers
At first visit, the teeth are prepared to receive the veneers. This is done by removing a small amount of tooth enamel from the front and side surfaces of the teeth to make space for the veneer. Performing this step ensures the veneer looks natural and doesn’t look bulky on the tooth. This is followed by the dentist making an impression of the prepared teeth and deciding on the shade (color) of the veneer that best suits your smile and adjacent teeth. The dentist will discuss the shade of the veneer with you before making a decision on it.
The impression of your prepared teeth is then sent to the laboratory where the dental ceramist custom makes the porcelain veneer which can fit on your prepared tooth. This may take few days to get ready and so the dentist designs temporary veneers for you in the meantime.
At the next visit, the dentist places the veneers on the teeth to check the fit and shape and color. After any adjustments, the teeth are cleaned and the veneers are bonded to the tooth.
What are the risks of dental veneers?
There are a few points to be understood before getting your smile corrected with porcelain veneers. The process of veneering your tooth is irreversible. It means if you decide to have a veneer on your tooth, it stays with you forever.
Secondly, the cost of porcelain veneers is high as it involves a lot of skill and precision. They cannot be repaired if they crack or chip, and have to be re-made.
If at all you are thinking about professional teeth whitening procedure, get it done before you have veneers on your teeth.
Not very often, but veneers do get dislodged; to minimize the chances of dislodgement, avoid biting on your nails, pencil or any other hard object which may put too much pressure on your teeth.
Veneers are not a suitable option for people who have decayed teeth, active gum disease, teeth with large dental fillings or fractured teeth.
It can also not be done in patients with existing conditions of Enamel loss (Enamel hypoplasia or Amelogenesis Imperfecta). Also, people who suffer from the problem of Bruxism (clenching of teeth) are poor candidates for porcelain veneers because of risk of chipping or cracking of the veneer.
How to care for veneers
After the placement of veneers, the dentist may want to check on them in the following days and may recall you to ensure that they have stayed in place and are comfortable.
This is the time to tell your dentist if you have any discomfort with the veneers, so that the dentist may fix it for you. A person with new dental veneers does not need to avoid any particular foods or beverages following their appointment as porcelain veneers do not stain.
The dentist may also advise to avoid biting on hard objects, hard food or nails. Opening beverage tins with teeth is to be avoided to prevent veneer from dislodging.
Sometime dentist may recommend use of mouth guard if you have multiple veneers for extra care and protection from chipping. Dental decay can occur even after a person gets dental veneers, so it is necessary to practice good oral hygiene (brushing twice and flossing daily) for veneers to last long.
Frequently ask questions
Lifespan of porcelain veneers
The average time that a porcelain veneer lasts on a patients tooth is 7-15 years. After this, if there are any issues with the veneer, it needs to be replaced. Hence one needs to avoid chewing hard food or biting on nails or pencil in order to prolong the life of porcelain veneers.
Do porcelain veneers damage teeth?
No. Porcelain veneers do not cause any damage to the natural teeth; In fact, they serve the purpose of beautifying one’s smile by correcting various defects of shape, size and color of teeth.
Can I eat apple with veneers?
Dental veneers are bonded onto the teeth by the dentist with specialized materials call resin bonded system so you should not worried on eating any fruits or regular diet.
You should avoid biting of hard object like betel nut, wire or pencil directly on veneer, there may be a risk of getting fracture.
Is getting veneers painful?
Dentist will numb your teeth before starting to prepare your teeth for veneers. Once your teeth are anaesthetized, you won’t feel any pain. Veneer procedure is completely painless.
Do veneers look natural?
Dental veneers can mimic the features of your own natural tooth. A skilled dental professional performs the procedure of porcelain veneers with the utmost precision and care for your veneers to look natural. Thus, it becomes important for you to choose an experienced and highly skilled dentist for this procedure to achieve the best natural results.
Can veneers fix crooked teeth?
If your teeth have slight rotations or are just slightly crooked and your bite is normal, veneers could be an answer to such crooked teeth. Veneers can reshape such teeth and make them look like they are perfectly straight without needing braces! Cases where there is severe crowding of teeth, orthodontic treatment is the only option.
How can I cover the gap between my front two teeth?
Ideal way to close the gap between front teeth is by opting for braces. But if you do not have enough time or just don’t wish to get braces, Porcelain veneer is the choice you should make. Veneers can beautifully close the space between teeth making teeth to look symmetrical and in harmony with the facial aesthetics.
Do veneers fall off?
Veneers last for more than 10 years in most cases if done and maintained well. With time, the adhesion between the tooth and veneer may weaken and it may fall off.
Can I brush on veneers?
You do not need to make any major changes in your oral hygiene routine after getting veneers. It is safe to brush on your veneers and it won’t cause any damage to them. Brushing and flossing teeth twice a day would ensure a longer lifespan of porcelain veneers.
What toothpaste is best after I get veneers?
Look out for the contents in toothpaste. Most toothpaste contains abrasive particles like silica which tend to be rough on the surface of veneer. It is best to use gel-based toothpaste as they are not as abrasive as other pastes.
Can I use Whitening Toothpaste for veneer care?
Porcelain veneers are resistant to color change or stain so you should not worried about keeping porcelain veneers bright and white
Although it looks like whitening toothpastes can be beneficial for veneers, they can actually have the opposite effect.
In fact, some ingredients in whitening toothpastes are abrasive and can be create scratch on porcelain veneers on repeated used, which can actually trap pigmentation and stains and cause veneers to look discolored.
Are veneers high-maintenance?
Apart from the routine brushing, flossing and keeping up with your regular dental appointments, veneers do not require any other extra care to maintain them.
Can I chew gum with porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers are strong and durable dental restorations that are fixed to teeth with specialized dental materials, and are designed to withstand normal chewing and biting forces. So, chewing a gum will not be a problem but it is advisable to chew on a sugar free gum to avoid cavities.
Can you get veneers on one tooth?
Yes dentist can suggest one veneer if your one teeth is fracture or discolored, of course your other teeth should be well align and in desirable shape and color.
More often front 6 teeth are selected for veneer for better smile and harmony of teeth
Cost of dental veneer in India
Porcelain veneers are little expensive than the indirect or direct composite veneer.
Price dental veneer the range is 9000 INR to17000 INR per is cost in India.
Where ad in uk or us it cost you around 900$ to 2000$ (67000 INR to150000 INR)
Generally speaking, the cost of dental veneers depends on many factors, including:
- Art and skill of dentist doing your treatment
- The artistic and technical skill of the laboratory person making the veneers
- The area where treatment is performed. Costs for cosmetic dentistry procedures vary widely by region of the country
- The material used. Porcelain is more expensive than indirect or direct composite resin veneer