Dental Veneers - Advantages and Disadvantages
Published on Mar 07, 2017 and last reviewed on Dec 26, 2022 - 2 min read
Abstract
Dental veneers are used to improve the color, shape, and position of front teeth and make your smile beautiful. Learn more about dental veneers here.
What is a Dental Veneer?
- A veneer is a thin layer of porcelain made to fit over the front surface of the tooth, for aesthetic purpose.
- Veneer is like an artificial covering over a tooth surface.
Types of Veneer
- Porcelain veneer.
- Composite veneer.
Let's Compare Porcelain Veneer with Composite Veneer:
- Composite veneer can be built directly in the mouth whereas porcelain veneer cannot be built like that.
- Composite veneer appearance is like that of a porcelain veneer.
- Porcelain veneer is more expensive than composite veneer.
- Porcelain has comparatively higher durability and strength.
Procedure to Place Veneer Over Tooth Surface
The following are the steps involved while placing a veneer over the tooth surface.
- Cleaning of the tooth surface.
- The outer enamel surface is removed so that veneer can be placed over tooth surface.
- 1/2-1 millimetre enamel is reduced.
- Both the sides of the tooth (contact area between the tooth are also prepared.
- Once the preparation is over, impression of the prepared tooth is taken.
- Cast is prepared from the impression and sent to the laboratory for the fabrication of the veneer. The veneer is fabricated in the lab.
- Shade guide is used to select the colour of the veneer matching with the adjacent tooth.
- Veneer is then bonded over the front tooth surface using bonding agent.
What are the Uses of Veneer?
A dental veneer is needed in the following conditions:
- To improve the colour, shape and position of front teeth.
- To close small gaps between the front teeth.
- For discoloured tooth, to establish the original colour.
- For slightly fractured tooth.
- For root canal treated tooth.
- To correct mild surface erosion at the biting end of the front teeth.
- To correct slight mal-alignment of the teeth.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Wearing a Veneer
Advantages:
- Stain resistant when compared to tooth colored fillings.
- Minimal tooth preparation is required when compared to a crown.
- It is a lesser invasive procedure than other methods such as dental crowns.
- No additional maintenance necessary apart from a check-up with dentist once in every six months.
Disadvantages:
- Expensive dental procedure.
- It is an irreversible procedure.
- Fragility of the veneer.
- Teeth sensitivity may occur after placing the veneer.
- Debonding of the veneer may occur when you bite hard food stuff.
- Change in colour may occur.
- Individuals with veneer placed on their tooth cannot bite hard food using front tooth (such as apples, meat, guava, biscuits,etc.)
Alternate Options other than Veneers
Dental restorative techniques other than veneers include:
- Crowns (tooth cap).
- Composite restoration (tooth colored fillings).
Do you have a discolored front tooth? Consult a dentist online for opinion regarding dental veneer --> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/dentist
Frequently Asked Questions
1.
Do Veneers Ruin Your Teeth?
Dental veneers do not ruin your teeth. They are tooth-shaped structures that are placed over the existing teeth. It will not cause any destruction to your natural tooth. But, before choosing to go for veneers, it is necessary to discuss it with your doctor as much as possible.
2.
Is Veneer Permanent?
Dental veneers are tooth-colored materials placed on the teeth. It is made up of resin composite materials or porcelain. After the veneers are fabricated, they are bonded to your teeth permanently. The lifespan of dental veneers might range from 10-20 years, depending on the material and usage.
3.
Do Dentists Recommend Veneers?
Yes, dentists do recommend dental veneers. It is a lengthy procedure and requires a few steps to be done in the laboratory. So, it might take a few weeks to finish the procedure of dental veneers. The procedure of veneers is known to enhance your smile and improve your appearance.
4.
How Long Do Veneers Last?
The dental veneers will last depending upon the material used. If the veneers are made up of porcelain, it can last for ten years. If the patient is maintaining well, then the lifespan of porcelain veneers can be extended up to 20 years. Maintaining good oral hygiene is necessary for the longevity of the veneers.
5.
Do Veneers Fall Off?
Veneers cannot fall off. They are attached to the tooth by permanent adhesion. In rare cases, dental veneers can fall off due to a weak adhesion or poor bonding of the veneers to the tooth surface.
6.
Can You Brush Veneers?
Yes, you can brush dental veneers. After the dental procedure is complete, the dental veneers become your own teeth. You can brush them as usual. Flossing of dental veneers is also recommended. It is necessary to maintain good oral hygiene by rinsing your mouth with mouthwashes.
7.
Why Are Veneers Expensive?
After your dental check-up is over, the dentist will prepare the tooth in perfect dimensions that would match your teeth. The instruments and drills that are used for this purpose are very expensive. After the laboratory fabrication of dental veneers is over, it is the dentist's responsibility to bond the veneers to the natural tooth surface. A complete dental procedure would include laboratory charges, material charges, and the dentist's charges. This is the reason why dental veneers are so expensive.
8.
Can You Bite an Apple With Veneers?
Dental veneers are very good procedures that enhance your esthetic appearance. Though they are good, dental veneers are very delicate materials. If the porcelain is fragile there are more chances for it to crack. So, you have to be careful when you are eating hard foods like apples, carrots, and meat.
9.
What Foods Should Be Avoided With Veneers?
Below are some foods to avoid if you are having temporary veneers:
Crusty or toasted bread.
Tough meats.
Pigmented drinks, such as ketchup, coffee, red wine, berries, tomatoes, colas, tea, etc.
Sticky foods, such as taffy and caramels.
Hard foods such as candy, raw vegetables, ice, popcorn, etc.
10.
Are Veneers Painful?
Dental veneers are generally not painful. Patients who are having approximately two to four veneers do not experience any pain or have only a little pain. Patients who are having more than eight veneers are known to be affected by some degree of soreness in the jaws and gums. If there is prolonged discomfort, then you should ask your dentist to recommend a few painkillers.
11.
Can You Get Veneers If You Have Periodontal Disease?
Dental veneers require proper maintenance of oral hygiene. Periodontal disease occurs when there is excessive deposition of plaque and calculus. If it remains for a very long period, then periodontal problems might occur. It is also difficult to clean the deposits when you have dental veneers.
12.
Can Dental Veneers Smell?
If the dental veneers are not fitted properly, a few spaces could be created to accumulate food and bacteria. This would contribute to several periodontal diseases. Any decay or severe gingivitis will result in a foul smell.
13.
Can Veneers Be Done in a Day?
There are two types of dental veneers. They are traditional veneers and same-day veneers. The traditional veneers are restorations that are customized according to the needs of the patient. This would require more than one day. But, same-day dental veneers can be delivered within a day.
14.
Do Teeth Grow Back After Veneers?
After the placement of veneers, the teeth will be fine behind the veneers. It will not grow back. If the veneers fall off, then you have to replace it.
15.
Can Veneers Stay White?
Veneers are usually designed in a shade that would match the adjacent tooth color. The natural yellowish color of the veneers will provide a realistic appearance. But, you can maintain the color of the dental veneers. Avoid drinking coffee and other beverages as it can stain your teeth. Smoking should also be avoided to prevent stains of dental veneers.
Last reviewed at:
26 Dec 2022 - 2 min read
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