In 1928, a man named Charles Pincus developed acrylic veneers to reshape or redesign teeth. Since the film industry is reliant on aesthetic perfections, it was a no-brainer.
Over time, dental veneers have been refined, corrected, and perfected to help patients from all walks of life regain confidence. It helps maximize one’s smile and customize it down to the last detail.
Let’s take a look at what dental veneers incorporate and why they’re an ideal solution for modern-day patients.
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain placed on top of one’s tooth. These are used to recreate or redesign one’s smile. The material is meticulously applied to the surface of one’s teeth after it’s shaved down.
Veneers are custom made based on the tooth’s shape, size, and appearance. These not only offer immediate correction to one’s smile but also offer extra protection to one’s natural teeth. The most common type of veneer used is made from porcelain as it offers strength, consistency, and quality.
Depending on the veneer’s quality and how good one’s oral hygiene is, it can last between 10-25 years before needing to be replaced.
Uses of Dental Veneers
Why would a patient consider dental veneers?
In general, a patient will be presented with a range of options based on their underlying condition. This is determined by a thorough examination to see what’s wrong. Once the examination is complete, a patient will receive additional information related to treatment options.
Here are some of the uses for dental veneers.
- Discoloration of Teeth
- Chipped/Broken Teeth
- Misaligned Teeth
- Worn Down Teeth
- Gaps
Please note, each case requires a wide-ranging assessment before the treatment begins.
Procedure
Duration: 1-3 Appointments
Type of Procedure: Dental Veneers (Porcelain)
Completed By: Cosmetic Dentist
1) Examination of Teeth
Before beginning, the dentist will sit down and understand the patient’s goals. What are they looking for? What are their “problem” areas? The examination will be tailored to these requirements and will include a robust x-ray.
This will ensure a suitable plan is conceived.
2) Removal of Enamel
The process starts with the shallow preparation of the enamel surface to make room for the thickness of the veneer. In most cases, this can be done without the application of local anesthetic, but it will vary from patient to patient.
3) Impression of Tooth
To create the veneers, a dentist will take a detailed impression of one’s tooth. These impressions are sent to the lab to fabricate the porcelain veneer. A temporary veneer is placed on the tooth to cover the tooth between the appointments.
4) Placement of Veneer
This occurs during the second appointment. The porcelain veneer(s) will have arrived, and it’s time to put them into place. Before doing so, the patient’s temporary veneers are removed. This stage includes cleaning the tooth surface using pumice, etch and water. After the teeth are dried, an adhesive is applied to the surface. This adhesive is used to hold the new veneers into place.
A special light is used to bond the veneer onto the tooth.
After this, a final assessment is done of one’s teeth along with the potential removal of excess material.
Benefits of Veneers
1) Enhance Smile
Veneers are used to enhance one’s smile. Those gaps, chips, or stains can be distressing and cause one to hide their smile. Instead of doing this, dental veneers offer a safe and personalized solution.
The smile can be tailor-made to suit one’s requirements.
2) Natural Appearance
No one wishes to stand out after getting cosmetic work done on his/her teeth. A certified cosmetic dentist with years of expertise can ensure the finishing is natural looking and undetectable.
The color is matched with the remaining set of teeth to ensure everything remains balanced and aesthetically pleasing.
3) Don’t Stain Easily
For coffee or red wine drinkers, stains can become part and parcel of life. However, dental veneers are resistant to these stains due to the porcelain’s quality. It can resist stains and remain the same in appearance for as long as it’s in place. This is ideal for those who wish to maintain the appearance of their teeth.
With simple maintenance, the teeth will look the same as they were on day one.
4) Don’t Require Special Maintenance
Do dental veneers require additional maintenance on a day-to-day basis?
No, dental veneers don’t require additional maintenance and a good oral hygiene regimen will suffice. This includes regular dental cleanings, examinations, brushing, and flossing. As long as these are maintained, the veneers will look brand new for years or decades to come.
Patients are always recommended to maintain routine visits to their dentist for continuous assessments. This ensures any underlying issues are nipped in the bud and eradicated as soon as possible.
