Veneers: An Introduction
A dental veneer is a thin, tooth-colored shell that is bonded to the front surface of a tooth to enhance its aesthetic appeal. Commonly, veneers are made from porcelain or resin composite materials and can be used to treat a wide range of dental problems.
Veneers can be used to correct a variety of aesthetic issues, such as chipped, fractured, discolored, or smaller-than-average teeth. Some people may only need one veneer to repair a cracked or chipped tooth, but many people require six to eight veneers to achieve an equal, symmetrical smile. The eight teeth from the upper front are the most often veneered.
Veneers can be of many types. Let’s have a look at the different types of veneers done by people.
Dental veneers are typically constructed of porcelain or composite resin and need significant research ahead of time. However, “no-prep” veneers are available and are put in a different manner.
Dental veneers are often applied by pulverizing the tooth structure and, in some cases, removing a portion of the tooth – even through the enamel. This enables correct installation, but it is also a permanent technique that can be unpleasant and frequently necessitates the use of a local anesthetic.
Tooth reduction is determined by your dental difficulties as well as the number of teeth affected. When many teeth are concerned, a dentist might arrange a wax model to demonstrate how the veneers will appear to post the process.
No-prep veneers, on the other hand, may influence some tooth prepping or modification, although these modifications are minor.
Porcelain Veneers
Some dentists will start by pulverizing your teeth and then taking an imprint of them to create a mold. The mold will then be sent to a facility where the porcelain veneer will be created. When the veneer is complete, your dentist will bond it to your prepared tooth. Temporary veneers can be utilized till the permanent veneers are returned from the lab. However, some dentists may employ CAD/CAM technology, which allows a computer to build the veneer. Your dentist can create the veneer directly in the clinic.
Veneers made of composite resin
If you opt for composite resin veneers, your dentist will start by scraping the surface of your prepared tooth before putting a thin coating on the composite material. Successive layers of the composite may be required to create the desired appearance. Your dentist will then use a special light to cure or solidify, the composite veneer.
No-prep veneers
These include alternatives such as Lumineers and Vivaneers which are porcelain veneer brands. They are less time-consuming and less intrusive to apply. No-prep veneers simply impact the enamel and do not remove layers of the tooth beneath the enamel. In many circumstances, no-prep veneers do not necessitate the use of local anesthetics or temporary veneers.
Placing veneers
Typically, the procedure requires one to two sessions. If the veneer is premade, it normally takes one visit; if the veneer is created in a laboratory, it usually takes two sessions. Let us concentrate on the installation of the laboratory-created porcelain veneer:
When putting veneers, no local anesthetic is normally necessary. However, keeping in mind the sensitivity of the patient, it can be utilized if necessary. The dentist will cleanse the tooth and choose the best color of veneer for it. The dentist will eliminate a very little bit of the tooth’s enamel to make space for the veneer to be placed on the tooth.
An image of the tooth will be taken for the laboratory, and a temporary veneer with spot etching in the middle of the tooth away from the edges will be put on the tooth.
After the porcelain veneer has been supplied to your dentist by the laboratory, the temporary veneer is withdrawn and the tooth is washed with pumice and water. The veneer is then engraved, carefully cleaned with water, and air-dried. For precise fit and shape, the adhesive is applied to the preparation, followed by the cement and the veneer.
The veneer is then laser cured for 60 seconds on all surfaces to ensure that it adheres to the tooth structure.
Your dentist will extract any excess material and polish the veneer’s edges.
Many dentists may arrange a follow-up consultation to ensure that the veneer is comfortable; a pleasant veneer is the durable one.
How to take care of your Veneer?
Porcelain veneers enable many people to get the perfect, pearly white smile they have always desired. Needless to say, anything which is maintained properly and preserved can have a longer life than usual. And although porcelain veneers are quite resilient, if you wish them to last longer, you must take adequate care of them. If properly taken care of, they have the ability to survive for 10-15 years. Here are some pointers to help you preserve and maintain your porcelain veneers appropriately.
However, anybody who has used traditional braces for any length of time understands how difficult it can be to care for a mix of teeth, gums, brackets, and wires. Knowing how to maintain your veneers, on the other hand, is the polar opposite. While it is important to be aware of some things, no additional maintenance is necessary to keep your veneers looking great. In reality, maintaining your veneers is as simple as following these six basic guidelines.
Regular maintenance of good oral hygiene is a must
You generally won’t need to adjust your dental hygiene regimen to look after your veneers if you already have one. All you have to do is brush, floss, and swish:
- Brushing your teeth at least twice a day using nonabrasive toothpaste and either a manual or electric toothbrush; preferably, brush after each meal.
- It’s essential to floss at least once a day to eliminate particles trapped between your teeth and to safeguard dental health, veneers, and gums. Flossing should be done after each meal.
- The last step is to rinse. To rinse your mouth, swish some antibacterial mouthwash over it once or twice a day. As excessive alcohol exposure might weaken the bonding chemical that adheres to the veneers to your teeth, it’s better to go for an alcohol-free mouthwash. While this weakening will not cause the veneers to fall off, it may make them more prone to stains and degradation.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and good fluoride toothpaste
When brushing your teeth with porcelain veneers, make sure to use a soft toothbrush. Hard-bristled toothbrushes might scratch the shine of your veneers. Try to avoid toothpaste with high abrasives, as these can potentially harm your veneers. Inquire with your dentist about a decent fluoride toothpaste to use on your veneers.
Stay away from the Grind
Bruxism is the habit of grinding or clenching your teeth while asleep, and it is not at all good for veneers since it puts them under a great deal of stress. It’s also dangerous for your teeth and jawbones, so if you believe you grind your teeth, make an appointment with your dentist as quickly as possible. Your dentist can prepare you with an overnight bite guard, often known as an occlusal guard. Wearing this gadget while sleeping will safeguard your new veneers as well as your original teeth.
Use caution while chewing
Although veneers are fairly durable, they can chip and shatter. While conventional meals should be fine, it’s recommended to avoid chewing on really hard items such as pens, nails, ice, and bones.
Keep Your Smile Safe
Physical exercise is a crucial component of living a healthy lifestyle, but basketball, football, wrestling, and other physical contact sports might jeopardize the quality of your fresh smile. Acquire a mouth guard to protect your veneers and original teeth from possible danger.
Avoid foods that cause a stain
Since veneers, like real teeth, can stain too, it’s a good idea to avoid foods that are known to promote discoloration, such as coffee, red wine, dark sodas, tea, soy sauce, and berries. Nicotine is another predominant factor that causes ugly stains, so if you are a smoker, you should think about stopping; it will not only improve your general health, but it will also help maintain your veneers white and dazzling.
Maintain Routine Visits to Your Dentist
It is crucial to see your dentist on a regular basis as advised by your dentist if you wish to preserve your dental health. Visiting your dentist every six months will always safeguard both your teeth and your veneers by making sure that any possible concerns are identified and handled before they become big problems. Furthermore, your dentist or dental hygienist will polish your veneers to keep their dazzling white shine.
Avoid gum disease or gingivitis
Gum disease is harmful to everyone. Gum disease, on the other hand, can harm your veneers in two different ways. Firstly, gum disease can cause gum recession, exposing areas of your teeth that veneers do not conceal. The looks of your teeth would be harmed by gum recession. Furthermore, gum disease can damage your teeth and make the veneer–enamel connection difficult.
Here are some preventative measures you may take to avoid gum disease:
- Maintain proper dental hygiene.
- Quit smoking.
- Maintain a healthy diet.
If you anticipate gum disease or any dental concern, see your dentist as soon as possible. With early detection, treatment is very simple.
The bottom line
Porcelain veneers may verily improve your beauty and self-belief. Taking excellent care of them will guarantee that you have had them for a long time. Remember that no matter how wonderfully you take care of your veneers, they will need to be changed at some time. However, maintaining good oral hygiene will help them last as long as possible. Visit your dentist on a frequent basis in order to ensure that your smile remains bright and attractive.