In case you’re unhappy with the appearance of your teeth, dental veneers are a great option. They can cover up flaws like chips, cracks, and discolouration, making your teeth look whiter and more uniform.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at dental veneers and tell you what you need to know about them before getting them placed. If you are considering getting dental veneers, it is important to understand the steps involved and what to expect.
We’ll also discuss the risks and benefits of this procedure so that you can make an informed decision about whether it’s right for you. Keep reading to learn more!
What Are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are custom-made, thin shells of tooth-coloured porcelain designed to cover your teeth’ front surface. They are ideal for people who want to improve the appearance of their smile.
Veneers can be used to address a wide variety of dental problems. They are also an excellent way to protect your teeth from further damage. They are strong and durable, and they can last for many years with proper care.
Different Types of Dental Veneers
The following are the different types of veneers that you can choose from:
Porcelain veneers
The most frequent material used for veneers is porcelain. They are tooth-coloured, completely customizable, versatile, and may last 10 to 15 years. Porcelain veneers are more stain-resistant as compared to composite veneers.
Composite veneers
Composite veneers are made from composite resin, a combination of inorganic and organic materials. The veneers are bonded using the same material as tooth-coloured dental fillings. While composite veneers are strong, they aren’t as lasting as porcelain.
Composite veneers cost less than porcelain veneers. They blend well with the tooth’s natural colour. However, they are more prone to staining and do not last as long as porcelain veneers.
Palatal veneers (Palatal onlays)
Palatal veneers are a type of onlay used to repair anterior teeth. Bruxism, deep bite, and dental erosion all lead to palatal damage to anterior teeth. Palatal onlays are an excellent way to treat just the damaged area while leaving the rest of your teeth unaffected.
Removable, non-permanent veneers
Non-permanent veneers are usually used before placing porcelain veneers. Some people also opt to use them when they want veneers that are easily removed. This type of veneer is made out of a flexible type of plastic or resin material.
Reasons Why You Would Need Dental Veneers
Veneers are typically chosen by people who want to make mild changes to their teeth. For example, they may be used for the following dental problems:
Chipped, broken teeth
Veneers can help restore teeth that are chipped or broken. It can make an affected tooth look intact again.
Slight crowding
If you have minor to moderate crowding, dental veneers might be an excellent choice. A set of veneers won’t fix overcrowded teeth, but they can give the appearance of straight teeth, creating a beautiful smile.
Teeth gaps
Veneers are can fill gaps between teeth. The thin porcelain shells are cemented onto the front of the teeth. Since the thin, tooth-coloured veneers can reshape the tooth from the inside, they can produce dramatic cosmetic results.
Tooth discolouration
Ask your dentist about dental veneers if your teeth are stained or discoloured. If stains on your teeth do not respond to bleaching or whitening procedures, porcelain veneers may help improve the appearance of your smile.
Unevenly sized and shaped teeth
Veneers can make crooked and uneven teeth more visually appealing. Porcelain or composite shells cover the front surface, so they appear straight.
What Is the Process Involved in Getting Dental Veneers?
Usually, veneer treatment is completed in this manner.
- The first step of the procedure is for your dentist to take extra oral photographs and dental x-rays. They will also perform a thorough oral examination to determine whether you are a good candidate for veneers. To show you your before and after results, before you even start the treatment, select offices will use an intraoral scanner.
- To make room for your veneers, a small amount of tooth enamel will be removed. You’ll be numb with a local anesthetic, so you don’t feel anything during the process.
- A mould of your teeth is created with an intraoral scanner or traditional putty impression.
- To pick a colour for your veneers, you and your dentist will utilize a shade guide to examine your neighbouring teeth. This is to ensure that your veneers will look as natural as possible.
- The teeth mould and shade are sent to a laboratory where the veneers are created to fit your teeth precisely.
- Your dentist will make a temporary veneer for you to wear for a few weeks until your final set of veneers is ready.
- Your dentist will position and adjust your veneers at the next dental visit, ensuring that they are correctly positioned. Your bite will be examined.
- The veneers are permanently bonded to the front teeth’s surface after being adjusted. The excess bonding cement is cleaned off.
Is Getting Dental Veneers Painful?
The majority of patients report no pain or discomfort after treatment. This is due to the fact that the technique is very minimally invasive.
The only preparation needed is the removal of a thin layer from your teeth’s enamel. This may be done under local anesthesia, and the layer of enamel is so thin that the patient feels no discomfort.
Some people may experience gum soreness and jaw discomfort. The pain is usually mild and alleviated with over-the-counter medicines.
Not every case requires a sedative during the procedure. If the porcelain veneers have to go below the gum line, a sedative may be required. This is due to the fact that the gum line is a sensitive area, and you may feel discomfort during the procedure.
If you have a dental phobia or are frightened of dentists, you can ask to be put under while receiving your veneers.
The Benefits of Dental Veneers
Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that are bonded to the surface of a tooth by way of suction. Veneers can be used to repair only one problem tooth or applied across all front teeth in order to create a total smile makeover.
Do you want veneers? Here are some of the benefits they may provide for you:
- Veneers are a simple and effective way to improve the appearance of your teeth.
- They look natural and provide long-lasting results.
- A veneer procedure is minimally invasive.
- There is minimal discomfort associated with veneers.
- Veneers are non-porous, so they resist cavities and stains better than natural tooth enamel.
- Veneers are a good investment. With proper care, they can last for 10 to 15 years.
- Dental veneers require easy maintenance.
- They offer a good solution for enamel erosion.
- They can add volume to the teeth.
- Veneers whiten teeth.
Are There Possible Risks with Dental Veneers?
As with any other dental treatment, there are risks associated with dental veneers. However, they aren’t life-threatening. With appropriate attention, the risks and side effects may be avoided. These include:
- Tooth sensitivity
During the first three weeks after veneers are placed, sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks is common. If discomfort from cool or hot liquids persists for 3 to 6 months, talk to your dentist about it and your other dental concerns.
- Tooth damage
During enamel removal, the underlying enamel may be damaged, which can damage the tooth.
- Veneer Failure
Those with untreated dental problems, such as enamel erosion, are more likely to experience veneer failure. Your dentist may suggest alternative veneer options such as composite bonding or crowns.
Am I a Good Candidate for Dental Veneers?
The following signs indicate you might be a good candidate for veneers.
You have severely stained teeth
For cases of mild and moderate discolouration, modern teeth whitening treatments are used, but darker stains do not respond to whitening treatments. You may conceal stains, including internal dentinal damage or previous fillings with porcelain veneers.
You have minor cosmetic problems
Dental veneers are one of the most reliable methods for hiding misaligned teeth, cracks, and chips. While dental bonding may also assist with this, veneers offer the most natural-appearing correction available.
You have multiple cosmetic concerns
Veneers are versatile. For example, you might have a chipped tooth, stained teeth, crooked teeth, or another similar problem, and veneers can correct all three of these issues. You won’t have to spend money on three separate treatments to get the desired effects.
There is plenty of enamel on your teeth
The porcelain veneers are bonded to your enamel. The underlying layer of your teeth stays in place while your dentist removes some enamel to make room for the veneers. If you don’t have enough enamel, the veneer won’t be able to adhere properly because it won’t have a strong enough surface.
Who Aren’t Qualified to Get Veneers?
Not everyone is qualified to get dental veneers. Some reasons may prevent you from getting dental veneers. These include:
- Severe jaw clenching and teeth grinding habits
- Having significant damage to a tooth structure
- Crossbite or underbite
- Active or persistent gum disease
- Severe teeth crowding
- Having poor oral hygiene
- Having excessive cavities
If you suffer from any of these conditions, ask your dentist whether veneers are right for you. You have an array of options to choose from to improve your smile, so pick one that suits your needs best.
Do Veneers Stain?
Porcelain veneers are designed to be stain-resistant. They do not stain as easily as your natural tooth enamel; however, they can still become discoloured over time.
Tooth surface stains can develop after prolonged exposure to highly pigmented drinks such as red wine and dark coffee. Thus, proper maintenance is required to ensure that your veneers last for a long time.
Other occurrences that can lead to discoloured veneers are:
- Your age. As you get older, your gums recede, leaving visible gaps where the veneers meet the teeth. Because the veneers are secured with composite, which is now visible, these little brown lines may appear on your teeth. Gum recession cannot be reversed, and foods and beverages in dark hues are prone to staining your visible enamel.
- The age of your veneers. Veneers constructed more than 20 years ago may not be made of porcelain. Plastic or porous porcelain veneers were formerly used that are less durable than those used today.
- Trauma or damage. When the dentin in your tooth sustains damage, it might become discoloured. When the damaged dentin on your tooth becomes yellow, the veneers appear discoloured because they cover the natural tooth that is causing the colour change.
How Long Do Dental Veneers Last?
We can provide you with a range of average lifespans to help you determine what to anticipate; however, your results may differ. The following is how long each type of veneer usually lasts:
- Porcelain veneers – Porcelain veneers usually last for 10 years, but maintaining them well can extend their life by up to 20 years.
- Composite veneers – Composite veneers last for three years on average. They have a shorter lifespan because, unlike porcelain veneers, they can stain over time, and the materials they’re made from aren’t as durable, so maintenance is more difficult.
There are a number of factors that can affect the lifespan of a veneer. Let’s explore those factors in more detail.
- Pre-application dental health. Your teeth’s condition before receiving a veneer can affect how long it lasts, according to some dentists.
- Veneer materials. No-prep porcelain and porcelain veneers last longer than composite veneers. You’ll have to weigh the cost against the lifespan of these options since they are more expensive.
- Your oral hygiene. Maintaining good oral health is very important. Brushing twice a day and flossing daily are crucial to the longevity of veneers. Dental checkups and cleanings should also be done every six months.
Can Dental Veneers Come Off?
Yes. Several factors can lead to veneers coming off. They include:
Damage
Clenching or grinding your teeth can cause potential damage to your veneers. If you apply this level of pressure to your veneers on a daily basis, they may become loose and fall off. Veneers may also come off as a result of the frequent biting of hard sweets or ice.
Old Veneers
One of the most frequent reasons veneers fall out is that they are outdated and need to be replaced. The average life span of dental veneers is between 10 and 15 years, depending on the materials used, habits, and other factors. It’s also possible that the bonding agent will deteriorate as time goes on, slowly detaching the veneers from the teeth.
Physical Trauma
If you get struck hard enough in the face, your teeth may fall out; Veneers aren’t any different. Wear a mouthguard while participating in contact sport to prevent your veneers from falling off as a result of physical force.
Poor Adhesive
If your teeth haven’t been adequately prepared, or if the bonding process was incorrect, your veneers won’t stick well to your teeth. The poor bonding will lead to loose veneers that fall off in the end. This is entirely up to your dentist to make sure that your veneers are correctly bonded.
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay can harm your tooth and cause your veneers to fall off if left untreated. When the chemical bond that keeps the dental veneer in position loosens, the dental veneer may fall off as a result of tooth decay.
How Much is the Estimated Cost of Dental Veneers?
The average cost for veneers differs from state to state. It also depends on the materials that you choose and whether you’re getting anterior or posterior teeth restoration.
The price of porcelain veneers can range from $1,100-1,500 per single tooth. On the one hand, Zirconia veneers cost $1,000 per tooth and increase from there.
Keep in mind that the costs mentioned above are exclusive of other tests such as an oral exam and x-ray.
Does Medicare Cover the Cost of Dental Veneers?
Final Thoughts
Veneers are a fantastic method to improve your smile in an instant. They’re one of the most popular dental treatments available today, and they’re an excellent method to cover misshapen, damaged, or discoloured teeth.
Veneers placed on top of natural tooth enamel may sound frightening, but it is a minimally invasive treatment. The procedure is brief and uncomplicated.
Your dentist will determine if a dental veneer procedure is the ideal cosmetic dentistry treatment for you.
Schedule a consultation to learn more about dental veneers and other procedures that may enhance your smile. Contact Subi Smilemakers right away so our experienced dentists can show you how veneers function and what they might be able to accomplish for you.
