Veneers: A Short Overview
Dental veneers (sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates) are thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to change your appearance.
These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth, changing their color, shape, size, or length. They actually are shells that cover the front of your teeth to make them look different.
They can cover cracks, chipped marks, and can make the teeth look bigger, or remove space between teeth.
Veneers near me Redwood City is made from porcelain or from resin composite materials. These are the types of veneer types that you can discuss with your dentist and have the best type that suits you.
Lumineers
Lumineers are a type of porcelain veneer that are much thinner than standard veneers and less durable.
They are the type of veneers that you may need to replace more often than other veneers. Unlike other types, lumineers don’t require much (if any) prep work. To apply other types of veneers, the dentist has to remove some of the enamel on the front of your teeth.
Pop-on veneers
Pop-on veneers (also known as removable or Snap-On veneers) cover your natural teeth to hide any issues. They can instantly change the look of your smile. They are one of the least expensive veneer options and they can be taken out at any time
On the downside, pop-on veneers can make it hard to eat, and they can change the way you talk.
Composite veneers
Composite veneers can help fix small issues. They can help fix a cracked tooth or a small gap in your teeth. Your dentist applies a composite resin (they are made of plastic or resin) directly onto your teeth. The entire treatment can be finished in just one visit.
Composite veneers are one of the most common treatment options.
No-prep veneers
These no-prep veneers are much less involved than other types. However, they still require the removal of some enamel.
This treatment is great for fixing small gaps in your teeth. Your dentist can see whether the no-prep is right for you.
Porcelain veneers
Porcelain veneers resist stains better than resin veneers. They have more of the light-reflecting features of natural teeth. Y
Your dentist will remove some enamel from your teeth and custom-fit the veneers to them. The enamel removal makes the surface of your teeth rough and helps keep the veneers in place.
Uses
Veneers are often used on teeth that are discolored because of root canal treatment, stains from tetracycline or other drugs, excessive fluoride used in toothpastes, and large resin fillings.
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Veneers are used to cover teeth that are worn down, are chipped of broken, are crooked, uneven, oddly shaped or having gaps between them.
Process
It usually needs a trip to the dentist if you want to have your dental veneer. For you need to consult with your dentist, and the next visits would be o make and put on your veneers.
Veneers can be had on one tooth ot on many teeth at the same time
Diagnosis/treatment
The first step is to talk to your dentist on the result that you would want. During the appointment, your dentist will look at your teeth to make sure dental veneers are right for you.
You’ll discuss the procedure and some of its limits. Sometimes, they may take X-rays and possibly make impressions of your mouth and teeth.
Preparation
When getting your tooth ready for a veneer, your dentist will reshape the tooth surface. They’ll take off an amount roughly equal to the thickness of the veneer that will be added to the tooth surface.
You and your dentist will decide whether they numb the area before trimming off the enamel. Next, your dentist will make a model, or impression, of your tooth.
This model is sent out to a dental laboratory, which makes your veneer. It usually takes 2-4 weeks for the veneers to come back from the lab. Temporary dental veneers can be used in the meantime.
Bonding
Your dentist will install the veneer on your tooth to check its fit and checking its color. They’ll remove and trim the veneer – probably a few times – to get the proper fit before they cement it to your tooth.
Next, to prepare your tooth to receive the veneer, it will be cleaned, polished, and etched. Etching roughens the tooth to allow for a strong bonding process. A special cement is applied to the veneer, and it is then placed on your tooth.
The veneer color can be adjusted with the shade of cement used. Once the veneer is properly positioned, your dentist will shine a special light beam on it to activate chemicals in the cement, which cause it to harden very quickly.
The final steps involve removing any excess cement, checking your bite, and making any needed adjustments, if needed. Your dentist may ask you to come back for a follow-up visit in a couple of weeks to check your gums and the veneer’s placement.
Veneer Benefits
The advantages of veneer is that they look like a natural tooth. The gums are usually aren’t sensitive to porcelain. These porcelain veneers are not easily stained.
A color can be selected to make darker teeth appear brighter. They generally don’t require as much shaping as crowns do, and they are stronger and look better.
Veneer Risks
Veneers are known to be very sturdy and long-lasting. But they do have some
disadvantages to porcelain veneers.
These include the fact that the process cannot be undone. Also, veneers cost more than composite resin bonding and veneers usually cannot be repaired if they chip or crack.
Since the enamel had been removed, your tooth may become more sensitive to hot and cold foods and drinks.
If you only get one or a few veneers, they may not exactly match the color of your other teeth. Also, the veneer’s color cannot be changed once it’s in place. If you plan on whitening your teeth, you need to do so before getting veneers.
It may be unlikely, but veneers can come loose and fall off. To reduce the chance of this happening, do not bite your nails, chew on hard things (like pencils, ice or other objects), or otherwise put too much pressure on your teeth.
Veneers are not good for people with unhealthy teeth (those with decay or active gum disease), weakened teeth (as a result of decay, fracture, large dental fillings), or for those who don’t have enough existing enamel on the tooth surface.