Veneers
If you are going for the Hollywood smile, veneers might be the better choice for you. Veneers tend be the solution for several cosmetic problems: crooked teeth, gaps between the teeth, or cracked and damaged tooth enamel. Dental veneers are medical-grade ceramic and crafted to match your natural teeth. The process is relatively simple: the dentist uses dental adhesive to apply the veneer to each tooth.
A dentist may offer dental veneers to correct a wide range of dental issues, such as:
- Discolored teeth that can’t be corrected by whitening (root canal treatment, tetracycline or other drugs, excessive fluoride causes the discoloration of the tooth)
- Worn teeth
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Misaligned or crooked teeth
- Irregularly shaped teeth, which can be restored by veneers
- Veneers used to close the gaps between the frontal teeth
The dentist will help with the choice of veneer material:
- Porcelain veneers are strong and lasts long, more resistant than composite resin veneers. They look like natural teeth and mimic the light reflecting properties, resistant to the stains.
- Composite resin veneers can be repaired easily and quickly, although they are less resistant than porcelain veneers. Composite resin veneers cost less and a few visits to the dentist are needed.
Compared to the crowns, less enamel is removed when veneers are placed. The veneers are a good option for patients, who want to change a little the shape of the tooth. If the crookedness is too much, crowns may be required.
During the first appointment the dentist decides whether veneers are appropriate choice for a patient. The teeth and gums must be healthy; any diseases and decays will be treated before placing veneers. If a patient clenches or grinds the teeth, veneers may chip or break easily. Special plastic guards may be suggested to wear while sleeping. The dentist takes X-Ray to detect any issues.
If the teeth are healthy, the dentist prepares teeth for veneers. A local injection is made to numb the area. After the anesthetics work, the dentist removes a thin layer of frontal surface (the amount is nearly equal to the thickness of the veneer). He or she makes impressions of the tooth or teeth and sends them to the laboratory, where the veneers will be prepared in 2-4 weeks. During that period, the patient may wear temporary veneers. With the help of the dentist the patient chooses the appropriate shade for the future veneers.
At the next appointment the dentist fixes the prepared veneers to check the size and the color. After he or she achieves the proper fit, the veneers are finally placed on the tooth. Regular dental visits are a must for keeping the teeth healthy. It is possible for veneers to come loose over time (7-15 years depend on the patient). The dentist will offer to place the new one or maybe even choose the new way of treatment.
What about Dental Veneers?
Dental Veneers, sometimes referred to as Porcelain Veneers, are a brilliant option if you want a fantastic looking smile quickly. They can easily cover up stains, chips, breaks and gaps on a tooth and perform similarly to dental crowns.
Both of these treatments are applied to the bottom and top teeth and their appearance is extremely similar if not exactly the same as natural teeth.
Are there any problems with veneers?
If they aren’t bonded to your teeth properly, they can begin to shift and move. This can lead to tooth decay and gum problems. Veneers also have a shelf life of about 10 years, and replacements will need to be considered at some point. Implants, however, are a life-long solution and can last for up to 25 years.