What are dental veneers ?

 

Dental veneers are thin crusts that are attached to the teeth, to give them the cosmetic shape and color.

If you want to beautify your smile, or get a (Hollywood smile), dental veneers are one of the options. Veneers are thin layers that stick to only the front (visible) surfaces of the teeth, to give the appearance of natural teeth.

 

When can dental veneers be used?

• Pigmented teeth that cannot be removed by the well-known bleaching methods.
• Cracked and chipped teeth.
• Crooked and deformed teeth.
• Large spaces between the upper front teeth.

 

Veneers may be made of porcelain or composite. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages:

• Porcelain veneers

It requires several sessions, and the veneers are made by the laboratory (the dental technician), according to the sizes sent by the dentist.

  Steps:

• The dentist usually removes very small amounts of tooth enamel on the front and side surfaces, to create a suitable space that the veneers will fill later.
• The doctor takes an impression of the prepared teeth, and he and the patient choose the appropriate color for these veneers.
• The impression is sent to the dental laboratory, which manufactures these veneers to fit your teeth according to the impression and color sent by the doctor. Here, a few days are waited until the lab finishes preparing the veneers, and during this period, the doctor places temporary veneers on your teeth.
• On the next visit, the doctor will try these veneers on your teeth to make sure they are in place, and to check their color. Then he finally sticks it on your teeth.

Benefits of Porcelain Veneers:

• Strong and long lasting.
• It has the appearance of a natural tooth.
• Removing less enamel from the teeth compared to the crown.
• It does not change color easily.

 

• Composite Veneers

They are the crusts that the doctor makes from the dental cosmetic filling, which is based on the bonding system of the tooth.

The doctor prepares the dental surface for which a veneer is required, then gradually places layers of composite filling and sculpts them in the shape of the desired tooth surface.

After applying it correctly and in the desired color, a special light is shed on it to harden it. In the end, he polishes and smoothes them.

Benefits of composite veneers:

• It usually requires less enamel removal from the teeth than it is in the case of porcelain veneers or crowns.
• Fewer sessions than in porcelain veneers – it usually ends in one session.
• Less expensive than porcelain veneers.
• Although composite veneers are not as strong as porcelain veneers, but they are easier to repair or rebuild in the event of damage to them.