Dentalveneersguide.com
What are dental veneers?
A high percentage of adults in the UK are not happy with their teeth, either they’re crooked, they stick out, there are too many of them, or they’re not white enough – to name a few common complaints. If you ask most people they would probably admit they have never considered cosmetic dentistry, despite how uncomfortable their teeth make them, and they have learned to live with their problems, which is a shame because they really don’t have to. Dental veneers are manufactured shells that are shaped and coloured to look exactly like natural teeth, they are placed over the teeth and bonded permanently to the enamel. They are a very useful tool when dealing with over or undersized teeth, badly spaced teeth, or patients who want to see immediate results. Veneers are made of either composite material or porcelain – which is available in different qualities.
My teeth are in bad condition, can veneers give me back my smile?
There are a wide variety of dental problems that veneers can help with. Damage to your teeth can come from lots of different places, they might be chipped or broken in an accident or you simply enjoy one too many sugary snacks causing them to decay, most dental practices will either repair a crack or chip with composite bonding – a strong cementing substance that blends in with the natural teeth – or they will sculpt them into a peg-like shape so they can fit the veneers over the top.
Grinding can cause excessive or uneven wearing, which compromises the structure of the teeth in some areas. In these cases, the veneers won’t have enough enamel to bond to, in order to make them solid, so other options may have to be considered. However, most patients who have ground their teeth to some degree will be able to take advantage of veneers to rebuild their smile, as long as a certain percentage of the natural tooth remains.
People with severely stained teeth might first turn to whitening procedures to get that ‘Hollywood’ smile, but it can sometimes fall short of their expectations. Bleaching teeth doesn’t work miracles, especially on those who have layers of staining, and if a patient isn’t happy with the results they can turn to veneers for a brighter outcome. The shade of the veneers will be chosen by you and your dentist, taking into account what you would like your smile to look like and what your dentist feels would look natural. Although the teeth themselves aren’t any whiter, they are protected from further staining by the veneers, which have a much lighter shade.
Crowded or badly spaced teeth can make life difficult as far as hygiene is concerned, as well as causing problems with uneven pressure on the jaw when eating. Dental veneers can help solve this issue by creating a well-proportioned, evenly distributed smile – which is far easier to clean.
What if my teeth are crooked?
Most dental surgeries recommend extended orthodontic treatment of some kind if you have crooked teeth, but a lot of people aren’t prepared to wait two or three years to have a perfect smile. Known in the industry as ‘instant orthodontics’, veneers can give the look and feel of a straight, natural smile in a fraction of the time it takes traditional methods. It’s not an ideal course of treatment if you want to retain the structure of your teeth, but it can give you instant results – something a lot of people prefer over braces and retainers. If you have very crooked teeth you probably won’t be a candidate for veneers, at least until you undergo some realignment so that the caps will be able to sit in a straight line.
What sort of veneers should I choose?
The first type that comes to mind is usually porcelain, they are what most people have heard of and seem to appear more in the media than other kinds. If you’re thinking of fixing your smile, you can make an appointment to see a dentist at the Pearl Dental Clinic to discuss the different treatments and they will be able to advise on what is best suited to you personally. In the meantime, here’s some information on the different types of veneers:
There are basically two types of veneers; composite and porcelain. Most manufactured products like this will fall into either category, but the materials used to construct them can differ in quality and composition. Composite veneers are not usually first choice for cosmetic dentistry for two reasons; they are more prone to staining than their porcelain counterparts, and they aren’t as durable. Composite is useful when it comes to fixing chips or filling cavities, but the material doesn’t stand up to long-term use very well compared to other veneers. Porcelains, although they are more expensive, will last longer and stay in better condition. Lumineers and Emax veneers are a type of porcelain veneer that are made from a much tougher ceramic and boast an even longer lifespan than typical porcelain veneers, they are also removable because they are so thin that the natural teeth don’t have to be filed down as much to incorporate them.
For most people, price will dictate the course of treatment they chose. Discuss with your dentist what you’re expectations of the surgery are and how you visualise the results, they may be able to offer a simpler procedure or perhaps some financing solutions to help you budget for top-end products.
How long do they last?
Typically, a set of normal porcelain veneers will last up to ten years, but you can extend this period with proper care and regular check-ups. Composite veneers are far less reliable, lasting only a year or two, so it’s worth weighing up the long-term costs before you go for the cheaper alternative. More exclusive veneers like Lumineers can last upwards of twenty years, and their less invasive nature means you might not have to replace them after this time if you don’t have the money or the inclination to do so – this is by far the biggest advantage of thinner, stronger veneers, and what makes them so popular.