What is Dental Veneer?
Dental veneers are slim, tooth-colored covers that are affixed to the front of teeth to enhance their look. They can address aesthetic issues such as chipped, cracked, stained, or smaller-than-normal teeth.Typically crafted from porcelain or resin composites, dental veneers are securely bonded to your teeth, with one veneer placed on a damaged tooth and six to eight veneers employed to achieve a balanced, symmetrical smile. They function by concealing cosmetic imperfections.
These dental restorations can camouflage:
- Diastema (gaps or spaces in your smile).
- Teeth that are too small.
- Chipped or broken teeth.
- Misshapen teeth.
- Stains that don’t improve with teeth whitening.
They enhance your smile but do not necessarily strengthen or restore your teeth. Veneers are classified into four types: composite veneers, porcelain veneers, no-prep veneers, and detachable veneers.
How to Get Ready for Your Appointment?
You will have an initial consultation with your dentist to explore the suitable options for you and decide how many veneers you would like to have applied. During this appointment, your dentist will usually take X-rays to assess the condition of your teeth. They will check for indications of tooth decay, gum disease, or the necessity for root canals. If any of these issues are present, you may not qualify for veneers. To obtain the correct measurements for your veneers, your dentist will reduce about half a millimeter of your tooth. They will also take an impression of your teeth, which is then sent to the lab to produce your veneers.
How Are Veneers Applied to Teeth?
Your dentist checks the fit, shape, and color of the veneers to ensure they are ideal for you. Following this, your dentist gives your teeth a thorough cleaning. This step is critical, as it prevents bacteria from getting trapped beneath the veneer, which could lead to decay. A rougher surface is created on each tooth where a veneer will be placed. This texture helps the veneer adhere to the tooth, with the dental cement quickly hardened using ultraviolet light.
What Distinguishes Veneers, Crowns, and Implants?
Veneers are different from dental implants and crowns. Veneers only cover the front part of the tooth, whereas crowns encase the whole tooth. Besides, veneers are thinner than crowns, measuring about 1 mm compared to 2 mm for crowns. Veneers are also less invasive.
How to Maintain Your Veneers After They Are Placed?
The recovery process is relatively quick. Once the veneers are bonded and any anesthetics have dissipated, you can eat and chew just like you usually do. While the anesthetic is fading, be careful not to bite your cheeks or tongue. Right after the veneers are placed, you may feel a rough texture. Over the course of a few days of regular eating and brushing, these rough spots should smooth out. If they don’t, your dentist can help refine them.
Precautions include:
- Avoid biting down on hard items like pens, ice, or your nails.
- Refrain from using your front teeth for chewing. Instead, use your back teeth for tougher foods; chop hard items to make this easier.
- If you're involved in sports, it's important to wear a mouthguard.
- Do not use your teeth to open any packaging.
- If you grind or clench your teeth during the night, consider getting a splint or retainer to safeguard your veneers.
- If you grind or clench your teeth, it’s advisable to obtain a mouthguard or retainer.