Veneers are wafer-thin
laminates or shells of tooth-colored material (which can be either porcelain,
ceramic or composite bonding material). They
are bonded (cemented) to the front surface of teeth to improve their cosmetic
appearance. It’s really not that much
different from brick on the front of one’s home. Many dentists use the alternative analogy
that dental veneers are for your teeth what false fingernails are for your
hands.
What
treatments or problems are veneers used for?
There are a wide variety of
reasons why patients opt for treatment with dental veneers:
Stained teeth –
badly stained or discolored that cannot be improved by teeth whitening or
prophyflex treatments can be greatly improved by dental veneers, which function
to cover any existing stains on your teeth.
Damaged teeth -
teeth that have become badly worn through excessive grinding or by carbonated
drinks, as well as those that have been chipped or broken, can benefit from
veneers. A small chip on a tooth can quickly be repaired with composite
bonding, also known as "composite veneers". A single damaged tooth can easily be repaired
with a porcelain veneer that has the same characteristics and color as you
natural teeth.
Gaps -
spaces or gaps (technically termed as a diastimas) between your teeth can
easily be closed using dental veneers, giving you a more uniform-looking smile.
Crooked teeth -
Veneers are not the ideal treatment for crooked teeth, and from the point of
view of preserving your natural teeth structure, orthodontics or Invisalign
braces would probably a better solution. However, this type of treatment can take up
to a year or longer and be significantly more in cost to accomplish. For teeth that are not severely crooked,
veneers placed over their front surface will give a straight and perfectly
aligned-looking smile. For this type of
treatment, many people refer to veneers as "instant orthodontics", as
you get a similar end result in a fraction of the time.
So
which are better: composite veneers or porcelain veneers?
The most popular type of veneer
is porcelain, which offers a stronger and more durable alternative to its
composite counterpart. Composite veneers
are also more prone to staining and do not last as long as porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers also offer a more natural
looking, translucent appearance. Composite veneers are much cheaper than
porcelain veneers in general, but considering that they do not last as long and
need replacing more often, they could end up costing more in both time and
money in the long run. Composite work is
ideal for small chips, as this treatment preserves more of your natural tooth
structure.
How long do dental veneers
last?
Porcelain veneers will
typically last between five and ten years, while composite veneers last a year
or two at most. The bottom line is that your veneers will eventually need to be
replaced. Although veneers are strongly cemented into place, there have been
cases where they come loose and fall off. In such situations, it is important
that you keep hold of your veneer and contact your dentist immediately. To make
your veneers last longer, follow a good oral hygiene program and visit your
dentist for check-ups on a regular basis.
Is
it possible to have veneers fitted on the same day?
Usually, porcelain veneers are
placed over a minimum of two visits as described above. A few cosmetic dentists
have invested in CAM/CAD in-house ceramic studios such as E4D or CEREC, which
can custom-produce high-quality ceramic veneers on-site in as little as six
minutes. This technology enables the dental practice to offer single-visit,
same-day ceramic veneers which are fitted within an hour.
If you have any questions or
would like to schedule a complimentary appointment to see if you’re a candidate
for veneers, please contact us.
Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC
290 Carpenter Drive, 200A
Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328
404-256-3620
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