Veneers

​​What are Veneers?

Veneers are thin, custom-made shells made from tooth-coloured materials placed over the teeth' front surface to improve their appearance. They are designed to cover up dental imperfections such as chipped, stained, misshapen, or worn teeth. Veneers can be made from porcelain, ceramic, or composite resin and are a popular cosmetic dentistry option.

Types of Veneers

• Porcelain Veneers: Made from a thin layer of custom-made porcelain to fit your teeth. Porcelain veneers are highly durable and stain-resistant, making them a popular choice for people looking to improve the appearance of their teeth.
• Composite Resin Veneers: Made from a tooth-coloured resin material that is applied to the teeth and then sculpted to match the natural shape of your teeth. They are more affordable than porcelain veneers but are less durable.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made shells bonded to the front surface of a patient’s teeth to improve their appearance. They are designed to cover up a range of cosmetic dental issues, including teeth that are chipped, cracked, discoloured, or misaligned. Porcelain veneers are high-quality dental porcelain that closely resembles natural tooth enamel. They are incredibly durable and can last for many years with proper care.

Who is Suitable for Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are suitable for people with stained, chipped, cracked, or misaligned teeth. They are also a good option for people with gaps between their teeth or teeth that are too small or too large. However, not everyone is a suitable candidate for porcelain veneers. You need to have healthy teeth and gums, and you should not have any underlying dental problems such as tooth decay or gum disease.

Benefits of Porcelain Veneers

• Improved appearance: Transform your smile by improving the colour, shape, size, or length of your teeth.
• Long-lasting: With proper care, porcelain veneers can last for many years.
• Stain-resistant: Enjoy your favourite foods and beverages without worrying about discolouration.
• Minimally invasive: The procedure requires little to no anaesthesia.
• Natural-looking: Closely resembles natural teeth, giving you a natural-looking smile.

Drawbacks of Porcelain Veneers

While porcelain veneers offer many benefits, there are some drawbacks to consider. These include:

• Cost: Porcelain veneers are a relatively expensive cosmetic dental treatment that dental insurance may not cover.
• Irreversibility: Preparing teeth for veneers involves removing a small amount of enamel from the surface of the tooth. This irreversible process can cause sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages.
• Replacement: Porcelain veneers are designed to be long-lasting, but they may need to be replaced at some point in the future due to wear and tear or damage.

Types of Porcelain Veneers

• Traditional veneers: Custom-made to fit your teeth and require removing a small amount of tooth enamel to make room for the veneers. The process typically involves two or three visits to the dentist, and the veneers are made in a dental laboratory.
• No-prep veneers: Also known as minimal-prep veneers, they are thinner than traditional veneers and require little to no removal of tooth enamel. Because of this, they are a more conservative option that is less invasive than traditional veneers.

Alternative Options to Porcelain Veneers

• Teeth whitening: This can improve the colour of your teeth and is a more affordable option than porcelain veneers.
• Dental bonding: Uses a tooth-coloured resin to improve the appearance of your teeth and is a more affordable option than porcelain veneers.
• Orthodontics: This can straighten your teeth and improve your bite, giving you a more beautiful smile.

The Process of Getting Porcelain Veneers

The process of getting porcelain veneers typically involves three visits to your dentist.

• Consultation: During the first visit, the dentist will evaluate the patient’s teeth and discuss their goals for the treatment. They will then take impressions of the patient’s teeth and prepare the teeth that will receive veneers by removing a small amount of enamel from the front surface. This allows the veneers to sit flush with the surrounding teeth and creates a better bond between the veneer and the tooth.
• Preparation: Once the teeth are prepared, the dentist will take another set of impressions and send them to a lab where the veneers will be fabricated. The lab will create custom-made veneers designed to fit the patient’s teeth precisely and match the colour of their surrounding teeth. This process can take a few weeks, so the patient will typically be given temporary veneers to wear in the meantime.
• Bonding: When the veneers are ready, the patient will return to the dentist’s office for a second visit. The dentist will remove the temporary veneers and place the porcelain veneers on the teeth, checking for fit and colour match. Once the patient and dentist are happy with the result, the veneers will be permanently bonded to the teeth using a special dental adhesive. The dentist will then polish the veneers to give them a natural-looking shine.

What to Expect After Getting Porcelain Veneers

After the procedure, you may experience some sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, but this should subside within a few days. Maintaining good oral hygiene and avoiding chewing on hard or sticky foods is essential to prevent damaging the veneers.

Veneers Aftercare

After getting veneers, it is essential to follow proper aftercare instructions to ensure that they remain in good condition and last for as long as possible. Here are some tips for taking care of your veneers after the procedure:

• Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: Brush your teeth twice daily and floss daily to remove plaque and food particles from your teeth and gums. It is essential to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a non-abrasive toothpaste to prevent damaging the veneers.
• Avoid Chewing on Hard Foods: Veneers are durable but not indestructible. Chewing on hard or sticky foods can damage the veneers, so it is best to avoid them. If you must eat hard foods, such as nuts or hard candy, cut them into small pieces before eating them.
• Avoid Staining Foods and Drinks: Porcelain veneers are highly stain-resistant but not entirely stain-proof. It is best to avoid foods and drinks that can stain your teeth, such as coffee, tea, red wine, and berries. If you consume these foods or drinks, rinse your mouth with water afterwards.
• Wear a Mouthguard: If you grind your teeth at night, wear a mouthguard to protect your veneers from damage.
• Visit Your Dentist Regularly: Regular dental checkups are essential for maintaining good oral health and ensuring your veneers remain in good condition. Your dentist will monitor the condition of your veneers and recommend any necessary treatments to keep them in good condition.
• Consider Teeth Whitening: If you want to whiten your teeth, it is best to do so before getting veneers. Once the veneers are in place, they cannot be whitened with traditional teeth whitening treatments.
• Seek Immediate Treatment for any Issues: If you experience any pain or discomfort with your veneers or notice any damage, such as cracks or chips, seek immediate treatment from your dentist. Delaying treatment can cause further damage to the veneers and may require more extensive treatments.

Risks of Veneers

As with any dental procedure, there are risks associated with veneers. Some potential risks include the following:

• Sensitivity: Some people may experience sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures after the procedure.
• Damage to Teeth: Removing a thin layer of enamel from the teeth can increase the risk of tooth damage.
• Discomfort: Some people may experience discomfort during the procedure, although this is typically minimal.
• Misalignment: In some cases, veneers may not fit properly, leading to misaligned teeth.
• Discolouration: Veneers may become discoloured over time, especially if exposed to certain foods or drinks.

How Long do Veneers Last?

Porcelain veneers are a long-lasting and durable solution for improving the appearance of teeth. With proper care, they can last for 10-15 years. However, veneers may need to be replaced if they become damaged or worn over time, depending on the individual's oral hygiene habits and other factors.