Veneers are thin, individual hand crafted wafers of porcelain or plastic, which can be bonded to your teeth to change their shape, color or alignment. Often an alternative to crowns, veneers look completely natural and are made of a very durable ceramic material that actually strengthens your tooth! It is very common for people to have imperfect teeth, either oddly shaped teeth, chipped teeth, crooked teeth, teeth with small holes in them, or an inappropriate sized tooth or teeth that have an odd appearance. Veneers solve such irregularities and create a durable and pleasing smile.
There are two tooth veneers procedures available that correct discoloration of the teeth by removing the brown and yellow staining. While each work effectively, there are advantages and disadvantages to each procedure dependent upon your objectives and commitment to the processes. The type of procedures available should be discussed with your cosmetic dentist, and they will recommend the most appropriate tooth veneers procedure for you.
- Porcelain Veneers
Only the teeth that show are veneered and this procedure can be carried out on both the upper and lower teeth. Teeth are prepared for veneers by lightly buffing to allow for the small added thickness of the veneer. Veneers are created from an impression taken in your cosmetic dentist's office. Your custom veneer is then placed directly onto your tooth with water or glycerin to verify their perfect fit and the shade or color. The color cannot be changed after the veneers are adhered to your teeth. The tooth is then cleansed with chemicals to achieve a durable bond. Once the cement is between the veneer and your tooth, a light beam is used to harden the cement. Usually porcelain veneers require two visits and also require a dental laboratory to create the final tooth restoration piece.
- Composite Veneers
Composite (direct) veneers are usually performed in a single visit to your cosmetic dentist. The procedure is an application of a composite resin directly to the tooth's surface.
- Advantages
Typically costing less than crowns, veneers won't stain, making veneers a very popular solution for many people seeking that perfect smile. The primary advantages are the beauty and durability of the material. Veneers last many years, and come in colors that will brighten dark teeth without the worry of them changing color. Because porcelain doesn't stain like composite resin, it remains attractive for a much longer period of time, making veneers a very popular solution for many people seeking that perfect smile. In addition, gum tissues tolerate porcelain well, thus reducing the likelihood that gum problems will develop. An advantage of veneers over crowning is that you will keep more of your original tooth
- Disadvantages
It normally takes a week or two to adjust to any change in the size, spacing or shape of your teeth. While very little tooth is removed in most cases, there are times when more tooth must be removed and this increases the risk of trauma to the tooth. The amount of tooth to be removed for the veneers should be discussed with your cosmetic dentist beforehand
Veneers are very reasonable facsimiles of natural teeth, but are not perfect replacements for natural teeth. It's common to see slight variations in the color of veneers upon very close inspection, as with natural teeth. |
