7 Important Facts About Dental Veneers

Dental veneers can fix a wide range of flaws

Veneers are capable of dealing with a vast array of problems. If your teeth have noticeable gaps in between each one, these can be dealt with using the fitting of veneers. Even if gaps are small or large, numerous teeth or just a few, veneers can be made and placed to help rectify this problem. Over time, our teeth pick up staining from food and drink. In addition, damage to a tooth could result in a discoloration that even tooth whitening wouldn’t touch. By fitting a veneer, you could either help to protect further staining or alternatively, totally disguise the discoloration. It is also relatively common for adults to have one or two teeth which are marginally turned or crooked. This is sometimes considered to be a look that adds real character to a person’s smile but others can feel self-conscious and seek a treatment – however small. By having veneers, it is possible to offer a uniform looking smile, rather than one that is jagged and patchy. Crowns are an alternative for treating wonky teeth but are a much more intensive treatment.

Dental veneers are made of either porcelain or composite material

There are two main types of material used in making dental veneers, which are porcelain and composite resin. Porcelain veneers are fabricated by a dental technician in a dental laboratory. It usually takes a few days to be made. Even though it takes a longer time, the advantage of using porcelain veneers is that it is durable and will not change color over time or stain. Other than that, porcelain veneers can be the best alternative to a crown if the teeth are still in good condition, as the veneers will cover the original structure of the teeth. However, the main disadvantage of using a porcelain veneer is the price of the treatment. Due to the higher expenses of the material and the longer time to be performed, the cost of a porcelain veneer will be much more expensive compared to a composite resin veneer. On the other hand, the composite resin veneers can be done in a single visit to the dentist. The tooth is prepared by removing a small amount of enamel from the surface. Then, the composite material is applied directly onto the tooth surface and then shaped and set in place using light. There are some advantages of using composite resin veneers. First, it is much cheaper compared to porcelain veneers. Second, little to no tooth removal is needed as it only requires a small amount of enamel to be removed from the surface. Third, it may be repaired easily if damaged, as it can be done in a single sitting as well. Lastly, composite resin veneers have the ability to bond directly to the tooth structure. However, the main disadvantages of composite resin veneers are that they have a shorter lifespan, tend to be bigger and rougher, and their color will change over time or stain, especially if the patient is a heavy smoker or drinks coffee regularly.

Dental veneers give a natural look

When a skilled dentist performs the veneer treatment, it will be quite difficult for someone to notice the difference between the veneer and the natural tooth. The color, shape, and position of the veneer teeth can be adjusted to match the natural teeth. No matter the shape or color of your natural teeth, dental veneers are always custom made for you. That being said, the look will be so natural that even you yourself won’t be able to tell the difference between the veneer and the natural teeth. The translucence and the surface texture of the veneer are made to mimic the enamel of the natural teeth; this not only creates a natural look but also a natural feeling when you touch it with your tongue or fingers. With advances in technology over the years, veneers have been made not only more natural in appearance but also much stronger. It’s now possible for you to have strong and long-lasting veneers. For example, because of the strong bonding properties, it is possible for a patient to have a brace bite using composite veneer to the front teeth. This is something that was quite difficult to achieve before when technology was not as advanced. All these technological advances mean that dentists can create more natural, stronger, and better-looking veneers than ever before. However, it is also important to bear in mind that a lot of the natural look and feel on the veneers rely on the skills and experience of the dentist.

Dental veneers are customized to fit your specific needs

Dental veneers are customized to fit the unique needs of each patient. When a patient is receiving veneers with dental treatment, the patient will work with the dentist to map out the desired shape and color of the porcelain. The dentist will also take x-rays and impressions of the patient’s teeth. These molds are then sent to a dental laboratory for the construction of the veneers. At the laboratory, an experienced dental technician will use the molds to create the custom veneers. This process can take anywhere from two to four weeks. Most patients will have the temporary dental veneers placed until the permanent ones are ready. At the second visit, the dentist will place the veneers on the tooth surface with water or glycerin on the teeth to check their fit and get a sense of the shade or color. While the veneers are resting on your teeth, view the results and pay particular attention to the color. At this point, the color of the veneers can still be adjusted with the shade of the cement to be used. The shade is then adjusted as necessary before the veneers are placed for good. Because the veneers are tightly bonded to the teeth, the dentist must use a strong cement. The cement will be applied to the veneer and then the veneer will be placed on the tooth. Once the veneer is in the correct position, the cement will be set by shining a special light upon it. This light activates chemicals in the cement, causing it to harden quickly. After all the veneers are attached, the bite will be evaluated and any necessary adjustments made. When the procedure is finished, the patient will leave with a brand new smile. Dental veneers will typically last you around 7-15 years, on average. However, many people receive veneers and find they last much longer than that. It is possible for veneers to stay in good shape long after the 15 years mentioned; alternatively, it is possible for veneers to have problems earlier too. Every case is unique.

It takes, on average, one to three dental visits to place dental veneers

To begin with, you must have an active conversation with your dentist. It is during these discussions that you will communicate your goals for the smile and the results you are looking for. Your dentist will perform some initial examinations and take some X-rays to help with the planning out of the process. On your part, be sure that you are open and honest about your vision and do not shy away from expressing any worries. Secondly, after the first examination, the dentist will prepare your teeth for the veneers. This will include reshaping the teeth in preparation of adding the veneer, so a small amount of the teeth surface is removed; this will be the same thickness as the veneer to be added. It is important that you listen to and follow the guidance of the dentist during this process, as failure to prepare the teeth properly can result in a bad veneer and potential dental issues as time goes on. Depending on the type of veneer being placed, the dentist may have to take another impression of your teeth. This impression will be used to properly create the veneers and it may take up to two weeks to get them back. The dentist may place a temporary veneer on the teeth for you to wear in the meantime. This step is important because it helps to protect the teeth from new decay as well as preventing sensitivity. Thirdly, at your next appointment, the dentist will place the veneer on your teeth to examine its fit and the colour, repeatedly removing and trimming the veneer to achieve the proper fit before the veneer is permanently cemented to your teeth. This process is usually referred to as the bonding process. However, after the dentist has cemented the veneer in place, they will use a special curing light to help the cement harden, ensuring that the veneer fits properly and cements quickly. Finally, after the treatment, you may be asked to schedule a follow-up visit with your dentist to check the veneer placement, as well as to examine the state of the gums and the comfort of the veneers in the mouth. An additional visit may be necessary after a couple of weeks, as the dentist will want to see how your mouth has accepted the veneers and the impact on your daily life. That’s it! After the last few checks, you are free to go and enjoy your new and improved smile with the world.

Dental veneers do not require additional tooth care

It is not necessary to follow a special diet with dental veneers. Also, no special cleaning or caring for teeth with dental veneers is needed beyond normal. Keep your tooth and gum healthy with regular brushing, flossing, and cleaning. And visit your dentist regularly. With such good oral health care, dental veneers may last up to 5-10 years or more. Also, it says that it is not recommended to chew on hard objects, such as ice, fingernails, or pen caps. These may cause your veneers to chip or break. It doesn’t say anything about eating habits after having dental veneers. So it can be assumed that you won’t need to avoid your favorite foods, as long as it won’t exceed the recommended care. Of course, the answer to « Can you drink alcohol after getting dental veneers? » is yes. But drinking alcohol in excessive amounts, such as excessive beer or alcohol, may result in tooth decay. And the adhesive which holds the dental veneers with teeth may weaken too. Taking care and maintaining your oral health doesn’t only prolong the life of the veneers, it benefits your overall health. Oral care still needs to be maintained at least twice a year and this indicates that we still need to visit the dentist regularly.

Dental veneers can last for more than 20 years

Dental veneers can last for more than 20 years. Studies have shown that the more time your dentist spends on preparing your teeth for the veneers, the more likely it is that your veneer will last for long. Your teeth will be prepared by removing a small amount of enamel from the front surface. This means that the veneer can be bonded permanently and looks more natural. Each patient’s case should be studied and treated individually. However, the technology has been improved significantly. With the new materials and cement, people have more confidence in the durability of the veneers. Research shows that the natural beauty of the porcelain veneers remains unaffected, with a survival rate of 92% over 10 years. Nowadays, the cost of veneers starts from £500 in the UK. The price can vary depending on the types of materials and the experiences of the doctors. This type of work should last for more than 20 years; otherwise, it will be considered a failure. So it is important to discuss and have a professional consultation before you make a decision. For those who wish to undergo cosmetic dentistry to improve their smile, veneers are the more permanent solution compared to other options like braces or aligners and bonding. Bonding has a smaller price and is quicker, with a single visit to the dentist, the procedure of making and placing the tooth can be done. Bonding material is added to teeth and then shaped. After that, ultraviolet light is used to harden the material. This can be applied with minor teeth and costs a lot less than the veneers. However, bonding is less durable, the material can be stained over recently and it does not last as long as the veneers do. Also, bonding is not created for people who have malformation. On the other hand, braces or aligners have a longer process, which can last for several months to a few years. Most of the traditional brace and aligner patients are children or teenagers. However, there are more and more adults starting to use them as well. The contemporary enamel technology is designed to resist friction and offer a smooth surface compared to those 20-30 years ago. It is effective and comfortable to install braces or aligners nowadays. However, the takeaway from dental history will acknowledge that there was a maintenance and detailing system that is necessary. It requires revisiting the dental surgery regularly in those years. This would be a hassle for many working adults. Also, the cost starts from £1500 and the price is usually a major concern for many people. So treatment options can be quite limited. The latest technology and material can be wine and dined, but whether or not it is feasible for a particular individual, it could be a question. However, each option has its own advantages that depend on the kind of treatment that you would accept and also the cost plan provided by dental. Dental veneers are the longest-lasting and the most permanent option for masking a crooked or misshapen smile.