Are you feeling self-conscious about the look of your teeth? If that’s the case, cosmetic veneers could be an option to resolve your problem. If you are looking for a solution to your crooked teeth or misaligned teeth, veneers can give patients more confidence to show off their smiles.
Veneers are custom-made thin shells that can conceal flaws in your teeth. They’re made of porcelain or composite resin, and they instantly improve smiles.
Contents Navigation
- What Are Dental Veneers?
- Different Types of Dental Veneers
- Common Problems That Dental Veneers Can Address
- Are Dental Veneers for You?
- What to Expect During Dental Veneer Procedure
- The Benefits of Dental Veneers
- What Are the Pros and Cons of Getting Dental Veneers?
- How Should You Take Care of Your Dental Veneers?
- Are There Alternatives to Dental Veneers?
- Are Veneers Stain-Resistant?
- How Long Do Veneers Last on Your Teeth?
- Estimated Cost of Dental Veneers
- Does Insurance Cover the Cost of Dental Veneer Treatment?
- Final Thoughts
What Are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are tooth-colored shells that can be bonded to the front surfaces of teeth to improve their appearance. They’re frequently made of porcelain or resin composite materials, which can enhance the look of your teeth instantly.
Veneers are a simple and effective way to hide the imperfections of our teeth. They can be used to fix teeth that are chipped, broken, or discoloured.
Different Types of Dental Veneers
- Porcelain: A porcelain veneer is a popular option for those who want their teeth to look and feel great. The porcelain surface has a much longer lifespan than other materials, making it a good choice.
- Lumineers: Lumineers are a type of porcelain veneers that are used to improve the appearance of teeth. They are very thin and can be applied directly to the surface of the teeth without having to remove any existing tooth structure. It is less invasive and can be used for minor cases.
- Composite veneers: Composite resin veneers may be perfect if you're looking for a low-cost option. However, composite materials may discolour and become less durable with time.
- Removable veneers: Removable veneers, often known as "temporary" or "removable dental restorations," cover up flaws in the teeth, such as gaps. Instant veneers and custom-made clip-on veneers are the two forms of removable veneers.
Common Problems That Dental Veneers Can Address
Veneers are used to address the following dental issues:
- Teeth discolouration
- Stained teeth due to smoking or teeth-staining foods
- A chipped tooth
- Fractured tooth
- Crooked teeth
- Misaligned teeth
- Uneven or malformed teeth
- Gaps in teeth
Are Dental Veneers for You?
Veneers are often used to treat minor aesthetic dental concerns. If you have gum disease, tooth decay, or poor oral health, your dentist will likely recommend treating your other dental problems first before getting dental veneers.
If you want to have long-term success with dental veneers, you must have realistic expectations and goals. It would be best to practise good oral hygiene to avoid causing significant damage to your teeth. If your oral health is already in good condition, our dentist may now apply dental veneers to your crooked teeth or chipped teeth.
What to Expect During Dental Veneer Procedure
A consultation with your dentist is the initial step in acquiring dental veneers. During your first consultation, they will perform an oral exam and take dental x-rays and impressions of your teeth, if necessary. They will also give you an estimate of the cost of your necessary dental treatments.
During the initial consultation, your dentist will remove up to 0.05 mm of enamel from the outermost layer of your tooth to prepare it for veneers. It can be done without local anesthesia.
Our dentist will take an impression of your teeth and send it to our laboratory professionals, who will prepare your dental veneers. You’ll have to wait around two weeks until your next visit to get them. During this time, you will be using temporary veneers to protect the prepared teeth.
Before adding a protective coating of adhesive, your dentist will measure your teeth to confirm the proper size and form. The dentist will clean the surrounding area of the teeth to remove any impurities that can contaminate the area. These impurities can weaken the bonding of veneers on the tooth if not removed. Then, we will put dental dams on both sides to keep saliva from getting into your teeth. Our dentist will then apply a gel-based foundation to the treated tooth before cementing the dental veneers.
The Benefits of Dental Veneers
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Protect your chipped teeth: People with chipped or cracked teeth might consider dental veneers. They're made of porcelain pieces that may be cemented into the fronts of natural teeth, giving you a beautiful smile without any painful procedures.
If you have a dental issue, this is the ideal treatment. Veneers are not only quick and easy to put together, but they also don't stain or damage easily. - Can be customised based on your preferences: During your first appointment, your dentist will take impressions of your teeth so custom-made veneers can be made to match the enamel and contours of your teeth. Each veneer is created to provide natural-looking results that blend in with the natural look of your teeth.
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Quick-fix cosmetic procedure: Dental veneers are a quick and efficient way to improve the appearance of your teeth. They can immediately address the following dental issues such as gaps between the teeth, broken teeth, and tooth discolouration.
Since veneers do not require anesthetics, our patients frequently have a pleasurable experience during the procedure. Once your teeth are cemented with veneers, you'll see immediate and stunning results. - Minimally invasive procedure: The dentist will just take impressions of your teeth and prepare your new veneers based on your budget and preferences. This procedure only entails removing some tooth enamel before applying an adhesive that secures them. There are no invasive procedures required.
- Prevent enamel loss: You may assume that healthy teeth can always withstand the impacts of acidic foods, but this isn't always the case. Even if you do everything you can to brush, floss, and change your diet, it may not be enough to prevent enamel loss. Fortunately, dental veneers can help you prevent enamel loss.
- Easy to maintain: Dental veneers are low-maintenance. To keep them healthy, all you have to do is brush your teeth regularly or after each meal. Also, make an appointment with your dentist every six months so they can always monitor the condition of your oral health.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Getting Dental Veneers?
- They Enhance Your Smile's Appearance. With their porcelain materials that can conceal the flaws in your teeth, veneers can turn your smile into a masterpiece. Dental veneers can give you a picture-perfect yet natural look that will amaze everyone.
- They're Not Invasive Like Other Dental Treatments: You don't need to undergo invasive procedures if you want to get dental veneers. Our dentist will just apply the veneers on top of your teeth to cover all your dental flaws.
- They're Less Prone to Staining: Veneers are less likely to stain than natural tooth enamel. Veneers made from porcelain do not discolour or stain readily, but those made from composite resin do.
- They Are Long-lasting: Once the veneers are attached to your teeth, they can not be easily removed. As a result, you can't back out once you've committed. If properly cared for, veneers can last from 16 to 20 years.
- They Have the Potential to Cause Tooth Sensitivity: After removing some tooth structure in preparation for the veneers, you may have sensitivity to hot or cold meals and beverages. Before the veneer is put on, the enamel on your teeth is a little bit exposed. This might make your teeth a little sensitive for a few days after treatment.
- They're Still Vulnerable to Harm: Dental veneers are long-lasting but not unbreakable. They might crack or chip if you eat hard foods and grind your teeth repeatedly. They should also be checked to see if there are any bite problems or TMJ problems to avoid fracturing the veneers. Ensure that you practise daily dental hygiene to protect your teeth from decay.
How Should You Take Care of Your Dental Veneers?
- Maintain good oral hygiene: The best thing you can do to keep your veneers looking perfect for many years is to maintain good oral hygiene. It will extend their lifespan and it will also keep your mouth healthy and strong. Brushing twice a day or after meals will keep your veneers in good condition.
- Floss your teeth at least once a day: Flossing is the most effective way to avoid cavities. Plaque loves to hide between those teeth, so flossing once a day is important. If you don't get rid of it, gum disease might develop, causing other dental problems.
- Sugary or caffeinated beverages should be avoided. Dental plaque is usually caused by foods that have high sugar content. These sugary foods and beverages can be exposed to your tooth enamel, where dental decay starts.
- Foods with a high acidity level should be avoided: If acidic foods are left on your teeth for too long, they can wear away tooth enamel. If you've recently eaten a lot of acidic foods for dinner or snacks, it's essential to brush them off as soon as possible to avoid further damage. Avoid high-acid foods and beverages such as coffee, juices, and other citrus-based beverages.
- Quit Smoking: Avoid smoking if you want your dental veneers to look their best. Although the veneers don't change in colour, smoking can still affect the natural teeth resulting to an obvious difference between the colour of the veneer and the tooth.
- Visit your dentist on a regular basis: It's essential to visit your dentist regularly if you want healthy teeth. Routine dental exams can help protect both your veneers and your natural teeth by catching dental problems before they become big issues. This way, you can keep your veneers and natural teeth safe.
Are There Alternatives to Dental Veneers?
- Dental bonding: Dental bonding, also known as composite bonding, is a cost-effective alternative to veneers for those who cannot afford them. Because it just takes one visit, it takes less time and requires fewer visits than other treatments.
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Crowns: Instead of using veneers to improve the appearance of teeth, dental crowns may be a better alternative. Crowns are custom-made caps that are durable and natural-looking.
When fillings fail to fix a tooth's decay, a crown protects, covers, and restores the shape of the tooth. A dental crown can be made of metal, porcelain, resin, or ceramic. - Using Invisalign, teeth can be straightened without the use of metal braces. With Invisalign, you will have custom-made, clear braces that gently align your teeth over time.
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Teeth Whitening: Teeth whitening, also known as tooth bleaching, is the process of lightening the colour of teeth. Teeth whitening can be done to change the intrinsic and extrinsic colours of a tooth's enamel when the teeth have become yellowed over time.
If your teeth are stained due to meals, drinking tea, or coffee, talk to our dentist about in-office teeth whitening procedures.
Are Veneers Stain-Resistant?
How Long Do Veneers Last on Your Teeth?
If you have mild to severe damage such as chips, cracks, stains, or cracks, composite resin veneers are an excellent choice. Composite veneers can usually be installed in one day, and the typical composite veneer can last up to five to ten years. Composite veneers have a shorter lifespan than porcelain veneers.
A porcelain veneer, on the other hand, requires time since it is custom-made. Based on your condition, your dentist might need to make an impression on your teeth and schedule multiple consultations. Yet they are more effective at repairing cosmetic damage in the long run. Veneers made of porcelain are designed to last between 10 and 20 years.