Veneers are a well-known type of cosmetic dentistry restoration. They are thin shells of ceramic or porcelain that are bonded to the front surface of your teeth.
Veneers can be used to improve the appearance of your smile and protect your natural teeth from further damage. How do veneers protect your teeth? Here’s what you need to know about the benefits of veneers.
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are an incredibly popular choice amongst dentists and patients alike due to their ability to reshape a person’s smile with a minimally invasive procedure. Veneers are thin layers of porcelain that are custom-made to fit each individual tooth and then placed directly over the front tooth surface.
This helps restore the colour, size, shape, and overall appearance of your teeth in order to provide you with a natural-looking and lasting, beautiful smile.
With veneers, it’s possible to address minor concerns, such as colour discrepancies or chipping, while also avoiding more expansive treatments like crowns or braces.
Whether you want to make minor adjustments or dramatically alter the aesthetic of your smile, veneers may be the answer for you!
What Are The Different Types of Veneers?
Teeth Veneers are categorised into two main types – porcelain and composite resin. These kinds of veneers require heavy prep work.
Applying traditional dental veneers typically involves grinding down the tooth structure. However, tooth reduction depends on your dental concerns and the number of teeth involved.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are the most popular choice, as they provide a brighter, more natural-looking smile and tend to last longer than composite resin veneers.
However, porcelain veneers require more tooth enamel removal during placement.
Composite Veneers
Composite resin veneers are an excellent alternative for those who want to make minor adjustments or don’t want to remove too much enamel from their teeth.
Composite resin is also more affordable than porcelain and can typically be applied in a single office visit.
Do Veneers Protect Your Teeth?
Veneers offer many benefits beyond improving the aesthetics of your smile. The porcelain material used to make veneers is highly durable and resistant to discolouration from coffee, tea, and other types of staining. This means that with proper care, your smile will remain bright and vibrant for many years.
A dental veneer also serves as a protective thin layer for your teeth. This can help prevent further damage or decay in the future, as veneers cover up any chipped or broken teeth, support damaged or weakened teeth, and reduce tooth sensitivity.
Plus, porcelain veneers are highly stain-resistant and easy to clean, which helps keep the surface of your teeth free of plaque buildup
By protecting the front surface of your teeth while providing a beautiful aesthetic appearance, veneers can help you maintain a healthy and attractive smile for years to come.
How Long Do Veneers Last?
Veneers are one of the most popular treatments in both cosmetic and general dentistry today. With proper care, veneers can last up to 10 years or more. However, this may vary depending on the patient’s lifestyle and dental hygiene habits.
In general, good oral health is essential to increase the longevity of veneers; this means brushing twice daily and flossing once a day, as well as extending preventive care visits with your dentist or hygienist.
Additionally, avoiding habits such as nail-biting or using your teeth to open packages can help your veneers remain in top condition for much longer.
How to Prepare For Your Veneers?
If you’re considering veneers for your teeth, the first step is to meet with your dentist. During this initial consultation, they’ll evaluate the condition of your teeth and discuss options for the best plan of care.
At this stage, your dentist will commonly take an X-ray to evaluate the health of your teeth. They will be searching for indications of tooth decay, gum disease, or the necessity for root canal treatment. If any of these conditions are present, you may not qualify for veneers until these concerns are addressed.
Your dentist will also explain what types of veneers are available, as well as how much tooth enamel needs to be removed during the procedure. Once that’s established, a mould or impression of your teeth will be taken to get ready for the custom-made veneer work.
Veneers Procedure
Veneers are typically completed in two visits – during the first appointment, the dentist will take an impression of the patient’s teeth and prepare them for veneers by removing a minimal amount of enamel. The patient will wear temporaries while the lab fabricates their final restorations.
During the second appointment, your dentist will then bond the veneer permanently to each individual tooth using bonding materials and a special light beam. With proper care and maintenance, these customised veneers can last many years for healthier, brighter-looking teeth!
Conclusion
Veneers are an excellent way to improve the appearance of your teeth. They are also durable and long-lasting, which means that you can enjoy your beautiful smile for many years to come.
If you think that veneers might be right for you, be sure to contact Sydney Dental Group on (02) 9158 6135 for more information. We would be happy to answer any questions that you have about this treatment option and help you achieve the smile of your dreams.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
Veneers
https://www.dentalhealth.org/veneers
Veneers
http://www.americancosmeticdentistry.org/veneers/
Improving Your Smile With Dental Veneers
https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(14)65062-5/fulltext
The Success of Dental Veneers According To Preparation Design and Material Type
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6311473/
Porcelain veneers: An update
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30152626/
Composite veneers: The direct-indirect technique revisited
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33336852/