Dental Veneers

One of the dental implements that can be used to improve the appearance of your smile is dental veneers.  These are custom-made shells or casings that fit over the teeth. Some are made of porcelain while others are made of a composite resin.

Among the persons who can benefit from veneers are those that have chipped teeth stains, on the teeth or teeth that are badly shaped. For the most part, veneers serve a cosmetic role in dental care. They may however be used to complement gum disease treatment. When they are used for this purpose they are often fitted during or after a gum disease treatment protocol.

One of the decisions that the dental expert and patients must make is between composite and porcelain veneers. One of the chief points of comparison is the fact that porcelain made veneers are better at resisting stain than composite ones. They also resemble the natural teeth more closely. Composite veneers though, have the advantage of being able to preserve more tooth surface since they are thinner and require less surface removal before installation. The decision is best arrived at through consultation between the dentists and patients.

It typically takes one appointment to install composite veneers. Porcelain veneers however, require more than one visit. The steps taken for the installation of porcelain veneers are outlined below.

1. The preliminary visit during which the dentist takes X-ray images of your teeth

2.  Pre-installation Preparation during which the dentist trims your teeth. During this phase about one millimeter of the enamel is removed. A mold (outlining the exact shape f your teeth) is prepared and delivered to a laboratory. The laboratory uses this mold to make the veneers. This process typically takes one to two weeks.

3. Fitting which occurs after the veneers have been delivered to your dentist. Your dentist will carry out some assessment to ensure that the veneers are perfect for your teeth in terms of fit and cover.  Your dentist’s next step will be to meticulously clean the teeth or tooth and roughen the surface so that adhesion can occur. A special type of dental cement is then used to attach the veneer to the tooth or teeth.  In order to ensure that it hardens quickly, an ultraviolet light is applied to the area.

4. Maintenance, which is essentially a follow up visit. This visit usually occurs a few weeks after installation. During this appointment, your dentist will evaluate the teeth to determine whether the veneers were properly installed.

Veneers are similar to your natural teeth and other cosmetic dental implements in the sense that they are not indestructible.  In order to gain maximum benefits from your veneers you must ensure that you follow good hygiene practices. This includes, daily flossing, thorough and frequent teeth brushing.  Frequent dental visits also play a critical role in veneer maintenance. With proper care, veneers can remain beautiful and intact for five to ten years.  After this period, replacement is generally advised