Dental veneers: Porcelain and composite veneer
Dental veneers are a possible solution to help you achieve the look you desire. They are a popular choice for those with chipped teeth, a gap between teeth, or misshaped teeth.
Dental veneers are thin covers that adhere to teeth to give teeth a more classically shaped look. There are a variety of dental veneer options in Aliso Viejo to choose from. Talk to your dentist about what’s best for you.
Candidates
You might be interested in dental veneers if:
- You have chipped or broken teeth.
- Your teeth are discoloured.
- You have gaps between your teeth.
- Your teeth have become worn down.
- You have misaligned or irregularly shaped teeth.
Before you get veneers
- Your teeth and gums must be healthy before you get veneers. Your dentist can treat any disease or decay before your veneers are placed.
- Veneers are not always a good choice for patients who clench or grind their teeth, because the thin veneers may chip or break. If you clench or grind your teeth, your dentist may suggest you wear a plastic dental night guard while sleeping.
- Although your dentist removes as little tooth enamel as possible for veneers, the process cannot be undone once the enamel is removed.
- It is possible for veneers to come loose over time. In that case, new ones might be needed.
- As with all your dental care, discuss all your expectations and treatment options with your dentist. Regular dental visits are a must for keeping your teeth and gums healthy.
Types of dental veneers in Aliso Viejo
Veneers are made of either porcelain or composite resin material. Your dentist will help you choose the material that is best for you. Each type of veneer has its own benefits.
Porcelain Veneers
A porcelain veneer is a thin shell that is custom-made to fit on the tooth.
Benefits of porcelain veneers:
- they are strong and long-lasting
- they have a natural-looking surface
- less tooth enamel needs to be removed than with a crown or cap
- they don’t stain easily
Steps to place porcelain veneers
- To prepare the teeth, the dentist usually removes a small amount of enamel from the front and sides of the teeth. This makes room for the veneers so that your teeth look natural.
- The dentist makes an impression, or mold, of the prepared teeth. The dentist also decides on the veneer shade that will be best for your smile.
- The impression is sent to a dental lab that custom-makes the porcelain veneers to fit your teeth. This may take several days. The dentist may give you temporary veneers to wear in the meantime.
- At the next visit, the dentist places the veneers on the teeth to check the fit and shape. After any adjustments, the teeth are cleaned and the veneers are bonded to the tooth.
- Further changes may be made at a later appointment.
Composite resin veneers
A composite resin veneer is made from a tooth-colored filling material bonded to the tooth.
Benefits of composite resin veneers:
- usually less tooth enamel needs to be removed than for crowns or porcelain veneers
- may mean fewer visits to the dentist—sometimes these veneers take just one visit
- cost less than porcelain veneers
- are easy to fix if they get damaged; although composite veneers are generally not as strong or wear-resistant as porcelain veneers, composite veneers can be repaired easily and quickly
Steps to place composite resin veneers
- After the teeth are prepared or reshaped, the dentist carefully bonds and sculpts the composite material using a color that is best for you.
- A special light is used to harden the composite and bond it to your teeth.
- The veneers are smoothed and polished to look like natural teeth.
Maintenance of Your New Dental Veneers
The maintenance of your veneers is relatively simple. Here are some recommendations:
- Brush and floss as you normally would to prevent dental problems. Porcelain veneers are one of the kindest restorations to gum tissues that we currently have in dentistry. Don’t be afraid of damaging your laminates by either flossing or brushing. Any non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste is acceptable. A good home care regimen will insure the esthetic success of your laminate restorations for years to come.
- If you are known to be a bruxer or clencher, i.e. you have a habit of grinding your teeth, please let your dentist know. He or she will fabricate a protective “occlusal” or bite guard for you to wear to minimize the stresses placed upon your teeth while you sleep.
- Approximately one week after the placement of your laminates you will be asked to return to the office for a treatment evaluation. This visit is extremely important. It gives your dentist the opportunity to evaluate the placement of the laminates, the gum tissue response and to answer any questions you might have regarding your new smile. Regular maintenance and dental check ups are recommended so that your veneers and oral health can be reviewed periodically.
How long do dental veneers last?
Dental veneers are a durable way to improve your smile. The lifetime of your veneers is subject to your dental care routine, your lifestyle and the kind of veneer you have had fitted. Well-cared for porcelain veneers will last between 10-20 years, while composite veneers should last between four to eight years. Make sure that you continue to see your dentist regularly. Good communication between you and your dentist will ensure that your veneers last as long as possible and that your natural teeth and gums remain healthy.
How much do Veneers cost in Aliso Viejo?
The cost of dental veneers depends on many factors, including:
- The fees of the cosmetic dentist who performs the procedure.
- The artistic and technical skill of the ceramist making the veneers and the cosmetic dentist who is applying the veneers.
- The location where it is performed. Costs for dental veneers and all cosmetic dentistry procedures vary widely by region of the country, specifically from large metropolitan areas to smaller towns.
- The material used.
- The number of teeth requiring veneers.
Faq
What’s the difference between veneers and crowns?
Crowns cover your teeth like a cap. A veneer is a thin shell that is applied to the front of your tooth with less damage to the tooth tissues.
How do I know if Veneers are right for me?
If you desire a more beautiful and attractive smile and want to look younger and feel better about yourself, veneers maybe right for you. In the instance where porcelain veneers cannot be used, such as on very weak or unhealthy teeth, dentist can recommend different options such as crowns or dental implants.
How long does the fitting take?
Usually you will have to meet with Cosmetic Dentist, he on at least two occasions; once for a complimentary initial consultation and once to have the procedure performed. The time spent varies widely depending on your unique needs.
What happens to my teeth after veneers, and will I ever get cavities?
The integrity of veneered teeth is only marginally compromised, and the veneer is bonded to the existing teeth. There is no higher incidence of decay provided the veneers are properly cared for as previously mentioned with regular flossing and brushing with toothpaste. In general, it is good dental advice to keep your sugar consumption low and confined to meal times to prevent decay.
What are dental veneers made from?
Porcelain is a type of glass, which means that this method of teeth coating is not as susceptible to stains as composite veneers, and their overall appearance is also brighter and shinier.
Composite veneers are made from a tooth coloured resin (similar to that used for tooth fillings) and are close to plastic in nature. As resin is porous, it is sensitive to stains. If you have composite veneers fitted is advised that you regularly have them professionally polished at your local Sheffield practice.
If I have my upper teeth treated with porcelain veneers, will my lower teeth still be a different color, or more yellow?
This is certainly a factor that will be discussed during your evaluation and smile design so that everything matches and blends well. Most patients usually whiten the lower teeth with whitening (bleaching) procedures to ensure a good match.
Do porcelain veneers stain with normal things like tea, coffee?
Porcelain veneers should never stain; however; if your teeth have a propensity to stain you should try to avoid or minimize the behaviors that lead to staining and look after them as recommended above with normal hygiene and maintenance procedures.
How do I get my new veneers to match my other teeth?
This aesthetic issue will be addressed in your cosmetic treatment planning by utilising digital smile design helping to foresee any concern, prior to reshaping your teeth. Most individuals whiten their natural teeth prior to veneers preparations, in order to be able to have their veneers in a whiter shade.
Will my veneer teeth be sensitive to hot and cold?
There will likely be some sensitivity to hot and cold food and beverages for a short time due to having a thin layer of enamel removed. This should disappear in a few days. Avoiding hot and cold foods is recommended for the first few days to allow the veneers to settle.
How strong are veneers? Are there restrictions on what I can eat?
Porcelain veneers are very strong. Nevertheless, porcelain is a glass and can crack if very strong forces are applied. It is advised to avoid chewing ice, hard nuts, candy apples, popcorn. The natural teeth are often damaged by these same foods while porcelain veneers are very resilient, they aren’t indestructible.
I grind my teeth at night. Will this damage my porcelain veneers?
Yes, this will eventually damage your veneers just as this habit will grind down natural teeth. dentist will provide you with a protective bite guard to wear at night to reduce the stress on your teeth while you sleep.
Is the procedure reversible?
Because a very thin layer of tooth enamel must be removed to accommodate the thickness of the veneer, the process isn’t considered reversible.
What are the Disadvantages of Dental Veneers?
Once you have had your tooth prepared for the veneer, the process is not reversible. In the case that a veneer cracks, it is difficult to repair without having to replace the entire veneer. With people who have poor gum health, veneers are not a good option. It is important not to have habits like pen-chewing or nail-biting as these can crack the veneer. In addition, people who grind or clench their teeth are at risk for chipping or cracking their veneers. Lastly, veneers are still susceptible to decay so it is important that you maintain optimal oral health and visit your dentist regularly.
What will My teeth look Like, when they Are Reshaped for Porcelain Veneers?
Generally, bonded veneers require two visits: one to shape the teeth and one to cement these natural looking restorations to the teeth. Between visits, your dentist can place attractive provisional veneers to help prevent sensitivity, allow function, and provide a nice smile. These temporaries are designed to be in your mouth for a limited time but should be comfortable until your new veneers / smile is completed.
