Dental veneers have been used for many years to improve the esthetics of teeth.
They can be used to hide discoloured teeth, restore fractured and worn teeth, or correct minor issues with tooth shape or position. Dental veneers are usually made out of a glass-like material called porcelain and are made in conjunction with a dental laboratory. Porcelain veneers create excellent esthetic results and are also quite durable. They are usually completed in two steps to allow the dental lab to make models of our teeth, which are then used to make veneers customized to your mouth. If considering veneer treatment, a consultation with your dentist ahead of time is recommended to discuss options and the type of veneer that will be right for you.
Veneers can also, as an alternative, be done with composite resin material. When using this method the veneers can often be completed in one visit because the dental lab is not involved, as is the case with porcelain veneers.
Instead, the material is incrementally layered onto the teeth by hand. When brightly polished, the composite veneers can still achieve a nice esthetic result but may not be as durable as the porcelain kind. They are usually completed in two steps to allow the dental lab to make models of your teeth, which are then used to make veneers customized to your mouth. If considering veneer treatment, a consultation with your dentist ahead of time is recommended to discuss options and the type of veneer that will be right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Veneers typically last between 8-10 years as long as the patient maintains good oral hygiene. With good home care, and regular dental check ups, a veneer can last even longer. It is also important for the patient to not bite improperly on the veneer, such as opening wrappers or biting finger nails, to ensure good longevity.
The difference between a veneer and crown, is that a veneer is a very thin layer of porcelain material that is essentially glued (bonded) onto the front face of a tooth. It is done for esthetic enhancements to a tooth. A crown, on the other hand, fully encircles a tooth and is usually done for reinforcing the structural aspects of a tooth.
Veneer colour is done using special shade (colour) tabs that look like real tooth enamel. Customized shade selection can also be arranged through a dental lab.
