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Porcelain veneers

The veneer is a very thin layer of dental materials applied to the visible surface of the teeth. Veneers are often applied to incisors, canines and sometimes upper, lower or both premolars. The natural tooth may or may not have been prepared to receive the veneer.

The veneers can be made of two materials:

  • Dental porcelain;
  • Composite resin.

Advantages

In general terms:

  • Restoration of the original size of a decayed, stained, cracked or broken tooth;
  • Improvement of the aesthetic appearance of a smile by standardizing the color, shape, angle or size of the teeth;
  • Reduction or camouflage of unwanted interdental spaces (diastems);
  • Hiding enamel defects (hypoplasia).

Porcelain veneers:

  • Biocompatible: healthy material in harmony with the body;
  • Resistant to stains caused by the absorption of dark liquids, such as coffee and wine, or by the consumption of tobacco products;
  • Does not change colour over time;
  • Generally longer durability than composite veneers.

Disadvantages

In general terms:

  • Veneers remain an expensive treatment, as several teeth are often involved;
  • Dental problems, such as cavities, can occur if the veneers are poorly maintained or detached from the teeth;
  • A tooth whitening may be necessary before considering a treatment involving veneers, since the color of the veneers is chosen according to the natural color of the adjacent teeth;
  • Aesthetic results depend very much on the artistic skills of the dentist or prosthetist who makes the veneers and the complexity of the case to be treated;
  • If a breakage occurs or if the veneer comes off, the treatment must be repeated;
  • Veneers are not covered by all dental insurance since their function is mainly aesthetic.

Porcelain veneers:

  • They require more time to manufacture than composite veneers;
  • They are more expensive because of the need for laboratory work, among other things;
  • The treatment is irreversible because part of the enamel must be removed to attach them to the teeth;
  • When they break, they can hardly be touched up.

Risks and consequences of not treating

  • Progressive deterioration of the appearance of teeth;
  • Possibility of fracture of a weakened tooth not reinforced by a veneer.

Processing steps and times

First appointment:

  • Preparation of the teeth;
  • Removal of a thin layer of enamel (sometimes performed under local anesthesia);
  • Dental impressions for the manufacture of veneers in the laboratory;
  • Installation of temporary veneers. These require special attention, as they are fragile (changes in eating and oral habits).

Second appointment:

  • Removal of temporary facets;
  • Preparation of the teeth;
  • Installation of permanent veneers with composite resin cement;
  • Adjustment of the occlusion and polishing of the veneer.

Cost

  • Varies according to the number of facets to be performed.

Maintenance

  • Veneers require the same type of care as natural teeth (brushing at least twice a day and daily flossing);
  • It is recommended to floss where the veneers have been applied;
  • The patient must be careful not to bite into objects that are too hard not to break the veneers;
  • The patient should avoid biting his nails, the skin around the nails or using his teeth as tools (to open sachets for example);
  • Patients with grinding or clenching habits should wear a protective device such as an occlusal plate or rigid protective shell;
  • To ensure optimal results, it is essential to visit your dentist every six months for a routine cleaning and examination.

Restrictions

  • Teeth that are too decayed or fragile and require the installation of a dental crown;
  • Problem of clenching or grinding of untreated teeth, which can damage and even break veneers.

Alternative solutions

  • Composite veneers;
  • CEREC type crown;
  • Laboratory crown.
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