Do you have teeth that are chipped or discolored, but are otherwise in good shape? Then you should consider enhancing your smile with dental veneers. These are thin coverings for the front surface of teeth to correct minor cosmetic complaints. Veneer dentistry is growing in popularity, largely due to its relative lack of expense in comparison to other restorative options.
What are dental veneers?
The origin of ‘veneer’ is the French word ‘fournir’, which means “to furnish.” In the same way that you can improve your home by making it look nicer, your teeth can be furnished with dental veneers to enhance their appearance and improve your smile.
In dental terms, a veneer is simply a porcelain or composite covering that is bonded to one or more aesthetically imperfect teeth.
Benefits of Dental Veneers:
- Improve tooth color: As you grow older, it is normal to develop some degree of staining, often due to lifestyle choices like drinking coffee and wine, or smoking.
- Enhance tooth shape: You may feel that some of your teeth are too short or small, leading to feelings of self-consciousness when you want to smile.
- Repair chips: When you have some small chips in your teeth, veneers can help.
Porcelain Veneers
Although porcelain veneers are more durable and natural looking, they take a bit longer to place. The reason is that they are individually crafted in a dental lab, which can take up to three weeks.
Some of your tooth enamel must be removed before placement of porcelain veneers. We will use putty to create an impression, allowing for the creation of your permanent veneers. When we receive them from the lab, we will etch your teeth with an acid to improve adhesion. Your veneers will then be permanently bonded to your teeth at your final appointment.
Composite Veneers
Composite veneers are normally placed in only one appointment. We will apply a bonding agent onto your treated teeth. Next, we will build up a composite material in layers until creating the desired shape. At each stage of the process, the paste will be hardened using a special lamp.
If everything looks right, we will then carefully polish your composite veneers so that they both look and feel like natural teeth.
Porcelain vs. Composite: Pros and Cons
The only real drawback to porcelain veneers is their expense and the fact that some tooth enamel must be removed prior to placement, making this a permanent procedure.
The main advantages of composite veneers is that they typically only require one dental appointment for placement. They are also less expensive than porcelain.
One drawback of composite veneers is that they are not as durable as porcelain. And they can become stained in time.
Porcelain veneers can last for 10 years or more. It is not unheard of for them to last as long as 20 years.
Composite veneers can be expected to last for a minimum of five years, although they may last longer than that if you care for them properly.
Cost of Veneers
The cost of dental veneers varies widely, depending upon factors like where you have the procedure performed, how many veneers you require, and materials used. The best way to determine how much veneers will cost you is to take part in a consultation with your dentist.
Please contact us today if you would like to schedule a convenient consultation regarding dental veneers or any type of oral care services that we provide.
Thanks for your support!
– Dr. Houlik
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