Dental veneers

Dental veneers are ceramic veneers applied to the outer surface of a tooth to enhance the aesthetics of your smile. Thus, defects in the shape, color or position of the teeth are hidden due to the intervention of veneers, which can be considered real dentures. These are thin plates, cemented on the surface of the teeth, which have defects.

Usually, dental veneers are applied to hide defects in the teeth in order to get a smile without defects. The use of ceramics is also given in the presence of crooked teeth and can serve primarily for the benefits that it can bring when chewing. Simple solution to the problem. Also, a veneer can whiten teeth and make them shine like never before, correcting and lengthening them if they've been bruxed for years.

But how are dental veneers applied?

First of all, the installation must be scheduled, which is usually done in several sessions by the dentist chosen for the task.

• In the first session, the dentist registers the size of the teeth, measures them, takes an impression and selects the appropriate color. First, it is necessary to remove a dose of enamel so that the plate is fixed on the tooth. The operation can be performed under local anesthesia or without it. Then a dental impression is taken to obtain the correct plate size. Finally, the doctor chooses the most appropriate color for the patient's particular dentition.
• In subsequent sessions, aesthetic tests are performed and an aesthetic plate is applied to the tooth. If the veneer is suitable for the patient's dentition, it is cemented, isolating the affected tooth. Then the tooth is treated with hydrofluoric acid and covered with glue, which improves the adhesion of the ceramic to the enamel.

Ceramic or composite? Here are the main types of dental veneers

Dental veneers are not all the same. There are different thickness tables, compiled from specific materials and created depending on the type of problem being solved. The materials are typically ceramic and porcelain due to the degree of resistance they can offer. Each veneer is made according to the size of the tooth.

Most used veneers? Of course, ceramic

Ceramic veneers are most commonly used due to the optimal material resistance and the fact that they are minimally invasive adhesive restorations. Their average thickness is 0.5 mm. The reduced thickness of these veneers preserves the enamel and protects the teeth from devitalization. As mentioned above in relation to the role of dental veneers, ceramic veneers can correct anomalies in shape and volume, dyschromias such as coffee stains, enamel defects, in order to restore a harmonious smile.

How long do dental veneers last on average?

In most cases, three factors are agreed upon when determining the duration of use of dental veneers: the skill of the dentist, the quality of the materials used, and the care that the patient must always perform. If all three of these details are in agreement, dental veneers can stay in place for over 10 years.

What are the contraindications for veneers?

Cost is usually considered a contraindication.This is the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to dental veneers. In addition, some patients complained about the excessive duration of the veneers, which, as we recall, is about 10 years. Another contraindication to bear in mind is the fact that the dentist must remove part of the tooth surface during the operation, which can vary from 3% to a maximum of 30%, in order to obtain an effective application of the veneer.

Inexpensive veneers? There are risks:

Clearly, the prospect of spending little money leads many patients to rely on inexpensive veneers. The savings can actually damage the patient's oral health. Lower costs involve the use of materials of lower quality than those that should be guaranteed by dental veneers, and one of the greatest risks of surgery performed with materials with poor physical qualities is loss of veneers in the short term.

Conclusions

As we have already seen, there are no particular contraindications for the use of dental veneers, and the final results significantly compensate for possible disadvantages, mainly due to improper patient care rather than other reasons. Costs can be low, but care must always be taken.