What are Veneers?
Dental veneers are ultra-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-coloured materials designed to cover the front surface of the patient’s teeth. Veneers are bonded to the front of the teeth with the aim of changing their colour, shape, size, or length.
Veneers can be made from porcelain or from resin composite materials. Porcelain veneers resist stains better than resin veneers and better mimic the light reflecting properties of natural teeth. You will need to discuss the best choice of veneer material for you with your dentist.
Types of Veneers
There are two types of veneers: porcelain or composite. Porcelain veneers are very popular due to their strength and durability. They are usually custom-made to fit the tooth. Composite veneers are made of resin composite materials which are sculpted onto the tooth by your dentist. The composite resin is applied one layer at a time to slowly cover the existing tooth and are cured with light to harden each layer.
The Benefits of Veneers
There are many reasons why patients opt to get dental veneers including:
- Dental veneers can be used to enhance the appearance of your teeth, making it possible for dentists to fix issues such as minor twists, overlaps and small gaps in your teeth
- Veneers can make even the darkest teeth appear bright and white
- Custom-made veneers resist coffee and tea stains and cigarette smoke because of the materials of which they are made
- It is almost impossible to tell the difference between a veneer and a natural tooth
- Compared to crowns, veneers offer a more conservative approach to changing a tooth’s appearance; your natural teeth remain much more intact with only a minimal amount of shaping required in order to fit the veneers
What to expect when getting a dental veneer
Getting a dental veneer generally involves three visits to the dentist. The first visit is a preliminary consultation during which your dentist takes x-rays and conducts diagnosis and treatment planning. During the other two visits the dentist makes and apply the veneers. However, your dentist may schedule a follow-up visit a few weeks after the procedure has been completed to ensure that the veneers have been placed.
Following the procedure you simply carry out your regular oral hygiene routine of brushing twice a day and flossing daily as you normally would, and you can expect your veneers to last for five to fifteen years before needing replacement.
If you are looking for a dentist in Berwick or the surrounding suburbs, you’ll be happy to know that Eden Rise Dental offer a comprehensive range of dental services including cosmetic dentistry (such as veneers, crowns and bridges) children’s dentistry, endodontic treatments, orthodontic treatments, restorative services and more.