Some different veneers can be used to cover up teeth that have dental imperfections. Many people don’t realise it, but it is more than just a cosmetic procedure for some. This type of dental service can help restore confidence and improve your appearance in both social situations and work-related encounters. The most common reason for needing these services is damage from tooth decay, gum disease, or injury. Still, some people also choose them if they want to change the colour, shape, size or spacing between their actual teeth.
The type of veneer chosen usually depends on the severity of the condition and whether or not it can be fixed with other means, such as braces or clear aligners.
What type of treatment will work best for you? Read on to find out more about each type and what they can do for your teeth!
What Are Dental Veneers?
One option for many people who are unhappy with their teeth is dental veneers. These are custom-made thin shells used to cover the front surfaces of teeth so that they look better and brighter. They are made from porcelain or resin composite materials, and they can be customised to match the colour and shape of your existing teeth’s surface to have more natural-looking teeth. They’re bonded permanently, so they last for years. These will appear as if they’re just what used to be there in place of those dingy whites before.
Veneers can mask all of your cosmetic dental issues, such as chips and cracks, discolouration, and slightly crooked teeth. They are often applied as a single tooth veneer, but it is always best to cover the entire mouth for optimal results. Furthermore, they can last for 5 to 20 years with proper maintenance without any problems or discomfort.
Porcelain veneers are a popular choice for cosmetic treatment because they provide the benefits of durability and natural-looking teeth but at a high price. However, composite materials offer a more affordable alternative to improving the appearance of teeth in some cases rather than fixing damage from tooth decay or trauma.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are the preferred permanent solution for dental patients. They come in a range of shades to match their natural tooth appearance, and offer more stain resistance than composites and can last up to 10 to 15 years. These are custom-made at a dental laboratory, and the dentist should get them back in 1-3 weeks.
Before an attractive smile can be achieved, your dentist will first have to check the state of any remaining healthy teeth. Your natural teeth will be sculpted and prepared before placing the porcelain veneer. Opaques can be used for those who need to fix those very dark stains on their real teeth.
Advantages of Porcelain Veneers
- They are made of sturdy materials, which could last as long as 15 years if properly maintained.
- Custom-made and fabricated in a dental laboratory
- Traditional veneers offer a natural look that blends well with the rest of your original teeth. Moreover, there are 15 shades to choose from, and you are assured that one will match your natural teeth.
- They are more effective at fixing darker discolouration on teeth than composite veneers.
- The surface is smooth and non-porous, so stains are unlikely to adhere to it.
Disadvantages of Porcelain Veneers
- The price of porcelain veneers is higher compared to other types of veneers.
- It requires three dental visits to complete the entire treatment process.
- It can not be repaired when it gets a chip or crack; hence, the whole veneer must be replaced.
- This cosmetic dentistry treatment is irreversible since a layer of your enamel is removed as part of the procedure. Thus, there’s no turning back once treatment has started.
- An essential part of the procedure is removing a small layer of your tooth enamel. As a result, your teeth will become sensitive as they come into contact with hot or cold foods and drinks.
Composite Veneers
with composite resin veneers, you can get a beautiful smile for a fraction of what it would cost to go in and have porcelain teeth put into place. Composite resin veneers are similar to tooth-coloured cavity fillings since they are made of composite dental materials.
If you need a quick fix and money is tight, direct composite veneers are the way to go. They can be fabricated in minutes and look just as natural as your real teeth without the high price tag. These are sculpted onto the teeth rather than created in a dental laboratory, so it is an option for patients who don’t have time to wait for treatment.
A dental bonding procedure starts by roughening the tooth surface and then applying the bonding glue. Composite veneers can be applied directly without removing a layer of the tooth enamel. They usually last five to seven years.
To repair a broken composite veneer, the dentist can use composites to fill in and fix just the chipped area. This process is less expensive than replacing an entire porcelain veneer, for that matter.
Advantages of Composite Veneers
- These are cheaper than porcelain veneers, making them an excellent alternative for those looking to save money.
- It is a one-day procedure that can be completed at the dentist’s office.
- It is used to correct aesthetic problems such as unusually shaped teeth, uneven teeth, and discoloured teeth.
- Removing a thin layer of enamel is not necessary when applying composite veneers.
- If they break or chip, the dentist can quickly fix them.
Disadvantages of Composite Veneers
- It’s not as natural-looking as porcelain veneers.
- This material has a shorter lifespan than porcelain and often chips when pressure is applied. It will help if you consider replacing them about five to seven years after they are first installed.
- Composite veneers are more porous, which means they stain easily, and you must adjust your eating habits to combat this issue.
Lumineers Veneers
Lumineers are an innovative new brand that provides a more natural-looking alternative to porcelain veneers. They are ultra-thin translucent materials that mimic the look and feel of tooth enamel, providing patients with teeth that have improved in appearance while still being very strong.
Unlike many other dental options, Lumineers do not require any tooth reduction or recontouring to be applied. A common misconception is that Lumineers are delicate because they’re thin. However, this isn’t true as they’re made of a sturdy material, which means they are pretty durable.
Lumineers last twice as long as traditional porcelain veneers. With proper care and maintenance, they should last for 20 years.
Advantages of Lumineers Veneers
- Unlike porcelain veneers, they can be applied thinly in a single step without any tooth preparation or trimming.
- The process is reversible because it did not change the tooth structure during the procedure.
- With proper upkeep, the manufacturer claimed that it would last up to 20 years.
- Due to the materials used, they are durable and stain-resistant.
Disadvantages of Lumineers Veneers
- They are more costly than conventional veneers.
- This option does not address all cosmetic dental problems, especially if there are heavily stained teeth.
- If you grind your teeth at night, it is best to wear a mouthguard to protect them.
Removable or Snap-on Veneers
One of the most important aspects to consider when deciding whether or not you are ready for permanent veneers is how they will look and feel. Removable snap-on veneers can allow patients to experience what it would be like before committing to dental treatment.
They are a less invasive option than the traditional approach. As the name implies, they’re temporary; hence they are cheaper than their counterparts. The upper and lower moulds are made similar to how clear aligners are done. Moreover, they could be removed as needed.
Removable veneers are much easier to apply than permanent ones since there’s no need to remove the enamel layer. However, their temporary nature means that you have to deal with them being uncomfortable and not quite fitting in your mouth. Plus, they need frequent replacement because of the discomfort factor.
Advantages of Removable Veneers
- more affordable than conventional veneers
- Through this, the dentist can assess how you speak and laugh when you have your permanent veneers.
- With the help of temporary veneers, your dentist can determine which size you require.
- With the help of temporary veneers, dentists can measure the appropriate length of your teeth for your permanent veneers.
Disadvantages of Removable Veneers
- It is thicker, and you may feel uneasy while eating and speaking for the first couple of days.
- Temporary veneers should only be used for a maximum of 10 days. Going past the ten days might lead to discomfort and loss of teeth. That’s because if you wear them for more than that, they may become loose or fall out.
- Snap-ons are not resistant to stains, so food and beverages that can stain them should be avoided.
- Temporary veneers typically do not have gaps between teeth, so it is best if you avoid flossing with them in place, or you may risk popping them off.
Palatal Veneers
Palatal onlays are also called palatal veneers, and they’re used to restore worn down or broken teeth. Dentists may use a type of dental restoration made specifically for anterior tooth damage caused by deep bites, teeth grinding, and even dental erosion.
Tooth erosion is one of the problems that can happen if you suffer from an eating disorder such as bulimia or acid reflux. A Palatal Onlay procedure solves this problem, so all areas are repaired appropriately and healthily.
Advantages of Palatal Veneers
- Palatal veneers come in two types of materials (porcelain and resin), both durable and lasting longer than dental crowns or fillings.
- The dentist will remove the damaged portion of the tooth and reshape it. They will then bind the onlay to the tooth to preserve its structure.
- The teeth become more susceptible to tooth decay and other oral health problems over time. These can be protected with onlay treatments, which reduce the need for various treatments in the future.
- Onlays provide a tight, secure fit that allows patients to talk and eat more comfortably and decreases the risk of bacteria seeping into teeth.
- Some people may be concerned about the aesthetic aspect of dental restoration. For this reason, onlays can be a good choice. They will match your natural teeth, and they’re also stain-resistant.
Disadvantages of Palatal Veneers
- A dental filling is more convenient than a crown or palatal onlays since the process takes place in a single visit. On the other hand, an onlay entails two appointments. In the first appointment, your dentist prepares and takes impressions of your teeth. A temporary restoration option is available at this time as well. The dentist will remove this temporary work at the second appointment and place an onlay in its place. It is then polished before you leave their dental office.
- The process of making onlay restorations is more costly than that of traditional fillings because the dental restoration appliance needs to be crafted in a lab. However, they will cost less in the long run because the restoration stays in place longer.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are looking for a low-cost option that will give you a dazzling smile or want to invest in veneers as part of the procedure, there is something out there for everyone.
With so many treatment options available, you might be wondering which type of veneer is best for you. Whether you are considering porcelain or composite material for your teeth will depend on several factors, such as cost and durability.
We hope this article has helped you to better understand the different types of veneers available and has given you some ideas for choosing what is best for your needs. If you have any additional questions or need help with anything else, please don’t hesitate to contact us or visit us at our clinic, and we will gladly assist you.