What Are Veneers ?
Dental veneers (sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates) are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve your appearance. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their color, shape, size, or length.
If you have noticeably chipped, broken, or worn teeth, or stains on your teeth that cannot be fixed by bleaching or whitening treatments, then veneers might be a good choice for you.
Veneers can also mask grayness or other discolourations caused by root canals and drug treatments like tetracycline or excessive fluoride, or even cover over an old tooth filling that has discoloured or are more obvious than you’d like.
Many people choose to only veneer their front teeth (top or bottom or both) since those are the most visible.
Veneers are a great option for someone who doesn’t have extensive damage to their teeth, but wants to perfect their natural smile in a relatively non-invasive way.
When Can You Get Veneers ?
If a patient has enough enamel to have veneers fitted, has good gum and bone health, and their teeth are not too misaligned, crooked or crowded, we can fit veneers to correct any aesthetic problem that the patient may have. When patients come to me, they often come with problems related to the colour of their teeth.
Patients who have tried teeth whitening. It didn't give them the colour they wanted. So we can mask their natural tooth colour with a lighter veneer of their choice.
Patients who have had tetracycline staining. For example, they were exposed to tetracycline antibiotics when their teeth were forming, resulting in grey and white streaks on their teeth, which are very resistant to tooth whitening. This can be concealed with veneers.
Patients who have suffered an injury or fall. This can lead to discolouration or what in theory we call pulp canal obliteration in the teeth. This leads to tooth discolouration that needs to be masked and we can do this with veneers.
Patients who have had chips, previous fillings or some restorative work that has caused them to lose some of their tooth structure. We can fix this with veneers, especially ceramic veneers, so that the tooth becomes whole and beautiful again.
One thing to be aware of is that if you’ve recently had an injury to your mouth like a broken tooth or dental surgery for a root canal or similar problem, you will likely need to wait for everything to heal before you can begin the process of getting veneers placed.
What are the Advantages Of Dental Veneers ?
If you choose to remove your veneers later, your underlying teeth should still be healthy and functional afterwards, provided there were no complications with the veneers while they were in place in your mouth.
They are also not totally permanent so they can be adjusted as your face changes as you age (a set lasts around ten years), and they are totally customizable so you can likely achieve your ideal natural looking smile.
Dental veneers provide stronger, aesthetic alternatives to dental crowns.
What are the Disadvantages Of Veneers ?
Veneer is not recommended for individuals with unhealthy teeth. If you have decaying teeth or active gum disease, do not go for dental veneers. Veneer is also not recommended for weakened teeth (which can be a result of fracture or large dental fillings). Also if you have inadequate amount of existing enamel on the tooth surface, do not go for veneer.
Habits such as grinding the teeth, clenching harm the teeth, more so if you have porcelain veneers. These can cause the veneer to crack or chip.
Not suitable if prior health conditions: If you suffer from or your dentist thinks you may be vulnerable to gum disease, weak enamel or other dental problems they may recommend an alternative treatment or at least a treatment to fix your dental problems first.
How Long Does the Veneer Procedure Take?
- Consultation
During this appointment, a dental professional examines the teeth to ensure veneers are the right choice.
- Tooth preparation
The purpose of the second appointment is to prepare the teeth for veneer placement. During this appointment, the dentist often scrapes a small amount of enamel off the teeth and makes a solid impression to send to the laboratory making the veneers. Most patients experience little to no discomfort during this process and it is not invasive. Temporary veneers are then placed on the teeth to protect them until the permanent ones can be applied.
- Veneer placement
At the final appointment, the veneers are bonded to the teeth. During this process, the dental professional will use a bonding cement to secure the veneers, and then use tools to remove any excess cement. Most patients then require a few minor adjustments, which can be done quickly and on-site.
Because veneers can alter the shape of the teeth, it takes many patients a few weeks to adjust to the feel of the restorations. In some cases, a new chewing pattern can disrupt the bite or cause issues for the gums. It is a good idea to go back to the dentist for a follow-up appointment to make sure there are no complications after the mouth has had time to get used to the treatment.
How long do veneers last for?
The lifespan of dental veneers depends on whether you have porcelain or composite veneers, and how well you care for them. Porcelain laminate veneers can last from 10 to 12 years. Composite resin veneers need to be replaced sooner, since they last for around 4 to 8 years.
Do veneers hurt your teeth?
Porcelain veneers don't harm your teeth in any way as long as you see a qualified cosmetic dentist. The first step to providing our patients with veneers includes taking x-rays to make sure your teeth are healthy and free of tooth decay.
Do veneers stay white?
With proper care, your porcelain veneers will stay pearly white for as long as ten years, and by then, it will be time for the recommend repair or replacement of your veneer.
Do veneers make your breath stink?
No, veneers do not cause bad smells in your mouth. Foul smells can develop around the edges of veneers if you neglect your oral hygiene.
Can veneers be removed?
Veneers can be removed and leave the tooth somewhat intact depending on the skill of the dentist, but there should not be any reason to do this. If the consultation with your dentist was comprehensive and your veneers were high quality and properly fitted to begin with, they shouldn't need to be removed anytime soon.
Do veneers have a taste?
There is a possibility it is an issue with the dental bonding on the porcelain veneers. Since you mention the foul taste starting happening right after you got them, it is definitely worth investigating.
How often do veneers fail?
By examining 50 scientific articles, the study determines that only 5 percent of veneers failed in under five years, and less than 10 percent failed in a 10-year period. The length of time veneers last depends entirely on the individual.
Do you brush your teeth with veneers?
Veneers and their supporting teeth need proper care! It's crucial to brush your veneers — and teeth — twice a day. We recommend reaching for a non-abrasive toothpaste that's free from gritty ingredients like baking soda and charcoal.
Who should not get veneers?
Placing veneers on a patient with gingivitis could end up with two undesirable results: Bleeding or swollen gums will interfere with the impression process, resulting in veneers that don't fit very well. If the gingivitis goes untreated, the gums will continue to recede and reveal the margin of the veneer.
Can I get veneers on 2 teeth?
While some people get veneers on all their teeth, that is not always necessary. In some cases, veneers are only needed for one or two teeth.
Do veneers pop off easily?
Porcelain veneers and crowns can come off due to over-preparation and incorrect bonding techniques. Over-preparation for veneers – Only a fraction of a millimeter of tooth enamel must be removed to ensure veneers fit well on the tooth and at the gumline. Too much preparation causes loose veneers that fall off.
What happens to veneers after 20 years?
The average lifespan of a dental veneer is about 10 years. With proper care and treatment, that time frame can be lengthened, to up to 20 years. If one of the following occurs, you may have to replace your veneers early: Your dental veneers are chipped or cracked, or they are simply worn down.
Are veneers or Invisalign better?
Perhaps the most significant difference between veneers and Invisalign is the goal of the treatment. If you want to whiten your teeth or correct a chip or crack, you would choose veneers. If you want to correct an overbite or underbite, Invisalign is the more appropriate choice.
Can veneers feel loose?
Though they are made of strong material, veneers have the possibility of becoming loose and even falling off. It is possible to notice signs of loosening before they completely fall off, so it is important to always be vigilant.
Will veneers keep my teeth straight?
Porcelain veneers hide orthodontic problems but do not change the position of teeth. While they do make your teeth and smile look straight, the teeth underneath them are still crooked. This is why our dentists recommend veneers only for aesthetic concerns and not for function.
How much does a Dental Veneers cost?
It can vary significantly depending on multiple factors, including:
Country
Experience of the dentist
Type of implants
Location of the procedure (office, surgery center, hospital)
Type of anesthesia used
*A low-cost Dental Veneers procedure performed by an inexperienced surgeon who delivers poor results is not a good combination.
