Your Guide to Understanding the Different Types of Veneers

What Are Dental Veneers

If you have chipped, fractured, broken, or discolored teeth that do not remain bright despite the many attempts to whiten them, you should consider using veneers. Like you, many other people spend countless hours searching for ways of transforming their smiles and improving their oral health.

Dental veneers refer to a custom-made, tooth-colored shell made of a thin wafer of porcelain to be permanently placed over the natural teeth. Cosmetic dentistry including veneers is considered to be a personal affair because for it to bond perfectly with the teeth and serve its purpose, it is important to have them personalized to suit the size, shape, and appearance of your teeth.

Dental Damages Covered by Veneers

Besides helping people to improve the appearance of their teeth and the quality of their smiles, veneers may also be useful to people in need of long-term solutions to cosmetic concerns that are persistent such as:

• Discoloration and stains on teeth
• Fractures and chips
• Gaps between teeth
• Uneven teeth
• Tooth decay

Veneers can be applied directly on the tooth to fix minor damage especially on one tooth, or indirectly to fix multiple teeth.

Types of veneers

If you are considering installing veneers, you must consult with a dentist first to evaluate your condition, budget, underlying dental conditions and advise you on the most suitable type of veneer for you. Similarly, your dentist will need to take impressions of your teeth to custom make a veneer that fits perfectly. Some of the types of veneers include:

• Porcelain Veneers: These veneers are made in the laboratory using licensed materials made of thin ceramic shells that are aesthetic and not harmful to be fitted permanently on the teeth. These veneers are considered to be expensive especially since they are highly durable and can last to ten years if taken care of well.
• Resin-based composite veneers: These veneers are made from a combination of organic and inorganic materials that complement each other, after which they are applied to the teeth. Composite veneers are less expensive even though they blend seamlessly with natural teeth.
• Lumineers: These are semi-permanent veneers made of thin sheets of porcelain that create beautifully whiter teeth.
• E-Max Veneers: These veneers are made of a thicker material that comprises lithium disilicate, hence necessitating the need for natural teeth to be shaved for the teeth to accommodate the thick material.
• Palatal veneers: These are veneers that are placed at the back surface of the teeth to facilitate strengthening from the back and prevent further wear and tear.

The Procedure for The Installation of Veneers

Depending on the type of veneer being installed, the process might require few visits to the dentist and no surgical procedure. Mostly, the installation procedure of veneers involve:

• Diagnosis: It is mandatory to first consult with your dentist regarding your condition, budget, desired results among other factors. During the consultation, your dentist should take an impression of your mouth and teeth that will guide him while custom-making your veneer.
• Preparation: During the next appointment the dentist might prepare the teeth by cleaning, polishing, or shaving to create an allowance for the veneer. Notably, some veneers are made of thick materials that require some portions of the teeth to be removed for the veneer to fit perfectly. In this case, your dentist might administer an anesthetic to numb the pain and discomfort.
• Placement: Special cement needs to be applied on the veneer after which it is photo polymerized to activate the chemicals on the cement to harden quickly on the teeth.

Cosmetic dentistry is a serious treatment that requires a person to work with certified dentists. Poor quality veneers might be costly in the long run because of frequent visits to dentists and high maintenance costs. To avoid this, you should specifically work with approved dentists.

The internet is a great research tool you can use to find qualified dentists within your area. By simply looking for “certified practitioners offering veneers near me” exposes you to contacts of hundreds of dentists. To be more specific, if you are looking for centers offering veneers in Spring, TX, you can search for “veneers near Spring, TX.”

Remember to prioritize your health and work only with exceptional medics because veneers that are placed by an expert will not damage your teeth.