The pursuit of a perfect, brilliant smile is the dream of many people today. Dental veneers can help you achieve your ideal smile. Whether improving tooth color, shape, or size, closing gaps, or repairing minor defects, veneers offer a relatively minimally invasive and effective option. Veneers are increasingly popular among young people who are conscious of fashion. This article will explain what veneers are, and what to consider before, during, and after treatment.
Table of Contents
What are veneers?
Veneers, commonly referred to as dental veneers or porcelain veneers in dentistry, are a very popular cosmetic dental restoration. They resemble very thin, custom-made “shells” or “veneers,” typically made of porcelain or composite resin. They are applied to the front surfaces of teeth to improve color, shape, size, or alignment, resulting in a more aesthetically pleasing smile.
Before veneer treatment
Initial Consultation
Choose a reputable dental clinic or dental specialist hospital and an experienced dentist. Tell your dentist what kind of smile you’d like to achieve. You can also use celebrity smiles as inspiration. After understanding your needs, the dentist will examine your oral health. They’ll check for cavities, periodontal disease, and gingivitis. Veneer treatment must be based on a healthy oral environment. If you have any oral problems, they should be addressed before proceeding.
Discuss Treatment Goals and Options
After confirming that you are suitable for veneers, you’ll need to choose the veneer material. Common veneer materials include ceramic veneers and resin veneers. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Ceramic veneers are a high-tech material. Their main advantages are:
- Excellent aesthetics. Because their light transmittance and material are similar to natural tooth enamel, they appear natural.
- High durability. Ceramic veneers are hard and wear-resistant. With normal use, they have a lifespan of up to five years.
- High stain resistance. Ceramic veneers have a smooth surface and are not easily stained by coffee, tea, or other stains.
- They are highly biocompatible and less likely to cause gum sensitivity.
Disadvantages:
- Expensive.
- Long production time. The process is complex, typically taking 10-12 days.
- Once damaged, they require re-creation and cannot be repaired.
- Ceramic veneers are generally recommended with ample space, especially for natural teeth that have experienced significant wear. Unprepared glass-ceramic veneers are not recommended as they are prone to cracking.
Resin veneers are a high-performance composite resin. Advantages:
- Inexpensive.
- Short production time, and can even be fabricated on-site.
- Simple to repair.
Disadvantages:
- Lower light transmittance than ceramic veneers, resulting in a less aesthetically pleasing appearance.
- Less durable. Resin veneers can easily wear or crack.
- Susceptible to staining: Resin materials have micropores and may discolor after long-term use.
Digital Smile Design
After confirming the veneer material, you can ask your doctor to provide you with a design for reference. This design is generally the final result. If you are not satisfied with any of the details, you can request a new design.
Tooth Preparation
After confirming the design, your doctor will prepare your natural abutment teeth. Simply put, this involves grinding down some of your natural abutment teeth to create space for the veneers. It is important to note that this preparation can irreversibly damage your natural abutment teeth, so this should be carefully considered.
Temporary Veneers
If you are getting ceramic veneers, your doctor will wear temporary veneers for aesthetic reasons while you wait for the veneers to be completed.
Veneer Fitting and Bonding
After the veneers are fabricated, a trial fitting and adjustment process will be performed. Once the adjustments are complete, the permanent bonding will proceed.
Veneer bonding is typically performed under local anesthesia. The anesthetic effect usually lasts for 2-4 hours. You may experience some pain after the anesthesia wears off.
It is normal for teeth to be slightly sensitive to cold, heat, and pressure. This sensitivity period lasts approximately 2 weeks. Avoid eating until the anesthesia has completely worn off to avoid unknowingly biting your lips or cheeks.
Precautions after veneer bonding
Pay attention to your eating habits
Although veneers are very hard, the resin bonding agent is sensitive to sudden, extreme impact. Therefore, hard foods such as crab legs, ice cubes, and hard candies are not recommended.
Maintain good oral hygiene
Use a soft toothbrush and maintain good oral hygiene. Carefully clean the area between the gums and the veneers, as this is where food and plaque easily accumulate.
Wearing a nighttime teeth guard
High nighttime biting forces are one of the main risks of veneer chipping, wear, or loss. If you grind your teeth at night, inform your doctor, who will prescribe a nighttime teeth guard. Nighttime teeth guards can effectively protect your veneers and your natural teeth.
Summary
Veneers can enhance your smile. Choosing the right veneer for you depends on your financial situation and your doctor’s advice. If anything seems wrong after your veneers are bonded, see your dentist immediately.
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