Dental veneers?

Dental veneers are minimally-invasive prosthetic constructions that are mainly used to correct the appearance of teeth. The use of dental veneers is not limited to correcting imperfections, but goes further and excels on the aesthetic line where ceramic dental veneers are successfully used for the 'build & design' of Hollywood Smile type smiles - absolutely perfect and remarkable.

Thanks to the accelerated technological advances of recent years, the techniques and materials used for veneering teeth have come a long way. Ceramic dental veneers are the most natural and delicate restorations made from materials that look exactly like your tooth enamel. Veneer treatment is minimally invasive, meaning only a small amount of tooth tissue is affected and removed.

Although veneers are thin constructions, their increased dental strength is well known and has been ensured by the evolution of technology in recent years both in terms of materials used and application techniques. Dental veneers application procedures are minimally invasive and the results come instantly. You will be able to enjoy a remarkable smile immediately, and small imperfections in your teeth will become unnoticeable. The role of a dental veneer is not only to correct small flaws, but also to integrate harmoniously with your natural teeth.

Dental veneers are the newest dental solution that allows anyone to achieve a perfect, bright smile that will add beauty and attractiveness. However, oral problems often become an impediment with aesthetic as well as emotional consequences, affecting self-confidence. But with the help of cosmetic dental procedures, the transformation of teeth is amazing.

When do we recommend dental veneers?

  • in cases where the patient wants aesthetic restoration of the teeth
  • in case of tooth shape anomalies
  • in the case of dental fissures or fractures
  • in case of changing old and unsightly fillings
  • in the case of chromatic changes in dental structures
  • in clinical cases where we want to close certain spaces between teeth.

The main advantages of dental veneers?

  • provides an instant flawless smile
  • improve dental aesthetics in a short time
  • the colour of dental veneers is not affected over time / does not stain
  • have little impact on oral hygiene habits
  • minimally invasive, low loss of dental tissue
  • long-lasting solution, being extremely resistant over time
  • addresses a wide range of dental imperfections
  • the materials used are 100% biocompatible.

What are the disadvantages?

  • in case of cracks, the dental veneer cannot be repaired and must be replaced
  • there are also contraindications to veneer treatments, as a dental veneer is not an optimal solution for every patient
  • dental veneer treatments are irreversible. After veneering, the polished teeth will wear veneers permanently.

Contraindications for veneer treatments

If you have already found out when porcelain or composite surfaces can be applied to teeth, you should know that there are contraindications for such aesthetic dental treatment. Therefore, dental veneers cannot be applied in the following situations:

  • teeth with large cavities
  • teeth with large fillings
  • extremely eroded teeth
  • teeth with large structural anomalies.

How long do dental veneers last?

Veneers don't stain as easily as natural teeth and last about 20 years if properly cared for. Also, modern dental porcelain is almost as strong as natural tooth enamel. So you won't have to worry about them breaking easily. Of course, the longevity of veneers depends a lot on dental hygiene.

Brushing and flossing can prevent the overlying material from tearing and staining. However, under some conditions, such as exposure of the dental veneer to food and drink, staining can occur. You will also need to take care when eating hard or crunchy foods. Also, if your natural teeth start to decay, they can affect the appearance of your dental veneers.

If your veneers become damaged, contact your dentist immediately to assess the damage and repair or replace them!

Tooth veneering is in most cases an irreversible process. You will not be able to remove your veneers to return to your natural teeth. It is essential to take this into consideration when deciding whether you want such a treatment in the dental aesthetic range. It is also important to choose a dentist who specialises in aesthetic dentistry. This dental procedure involves a multi-step process, in which the dentist will schedule several appointments.

Types of dental veneers

Ceramics, zirconia and composite are the materials used to make dental veneers. Manufacturing parameters look at biocompatibility, marginal fit, preparation, strength, colour, finish, repair potential, cost and aesthetics. The use of ceramic veneers has been one of the main goals of dental development in the aesthetic field. Ceramic veneers allow for better predictability and greater clinical longevity. Its aesthetic quality, fracture resistance, bioavailability and colour stability are its greatest advantages in clinical use.

In contrast, resin or composite veneers come with a lower cost, good abrasion resistance, the possibility of easy repair and less wear on the tooth structure during tooth preparation for veneering. However, they have less colour stability and limited strength over time. It is therefore clear that the decision on the choice of material used for dental veneers must be adapted to the specifics of each case.

There are 2 types of ceramic (porcelain) veneers: ultra-thin veneers - the most popular and widely used brands being e- MAX and Lumineers and zirconia veneers.

Ceramic dental veneers

Ceramic or porcelain veneers are a dental reconstruction technique with extremely good results, both for their durability and for the aesthetic result obtained. They have a success rate of about 97% for about 20 years. Ceramic veneers can be placed on several teeth at the same time, as it is easier to match the colour and shape of the teeth. They are usually superimposed on the surfaces of the upper central and lateral incisors, these being the most visible and exposed parts of the teeth. They are an effective solution to correct teeth that are slightly crooked, but also other problems such as fractures or parts that have worn or lost their shine over time. Importantly, ceramic veneers also manage to close interdental spaces.

Ultra-thin ceramic veneers

In addition to conventional porcelain veneers, technological advances have made it possible to manufacture porcelain dental veneers with a microcrystalline structure that helps prevent the possibility of fracture and detachment. The strength of ultra-thin veneers is due to the injected porcelain used to make them. Another advantage is that the application treatment is minimally invasive. This porcelain can be fabricated up to 0, 2 mm thick and the biggest advantage is that, unlike conventional porcelain veneers, there is no need to remove healthy tissue or carve the tooth. However, depending on which side the ultra-thin veneer is placed on, minimal contouring of the veneer may be required.

Thanks to technological advances available to dental aesthetic experts, the fabrication of ultra-thin models is completed in just 72 hours. This is a quite noticeable reduction in time, considering that not so long ago the patient had to wait a month. In addition, dentists use a 3D scanner to obtain a virtual sample of the patient's teeth. Two of the most popular brands are Emax and Lumineers.

Probably the most widely used types of dental veneers, Emax is the best solution when it comes to a perfectly natural smile. These ceramic dental veneers best mimic the natural tooth. They offer the full range of translucency that the natural tooth has.  There is a wide range of shades that can be used when we want to use just one dental veneer to cover a single tooth. Emax ceramic dental veneers are the most aesthetic and natural type of dental veneers. Their resistance is very good to fracture, they adhere perfectly both physically and chemically. Emax dental veneers can be used both with preparation (PREP) and without preparation (NO PREP).

Another facet in the ultra-thin category is the Lumineers brand. It is made of Requireat porcelain, a type of feldsop porcelain with an evenly distributed microcrystalline structure. In addition, it is reinforced with leucite crystals. The combination of these materials helps prevent the possibility of breakage or discolouration. The model is produced in the United States and in laboratories in Switzerland. It comes with a manufacturer's warranty and the model is delivered with a personalized certificate, valid for 5 years. Lumineers facets are similar in size to a contact lens, with measurements ranging from 0.2 to 0.3 millimeters. The small thickness allows Lumineers dental veneers to be attached directly to the tooth surface without prior dental preparation or using anaesthesia, as they require minimal enamel repair if necessary. Lumineers are able to mimic the shade of adjacent parts very closely, which is why they are indicated to be placed on several teeth. In addition, the interface between the gum and the tooth does not create aesthetic distortions. This is why no one will notice that you are wearing dental veneers. Lumineers have the major advantage of directly overlapping the tooth enamel, which means greater adhesion than dentin bonding. They have superior strength to natural enamel and even help strengthen weakened tooth enamel. These dental veneers have excellent optical light-reflecting qualities, meaning they allow light to pass through. This is why some patients decide to combine Lumineers treatment with teeth whitening to achieve an optimal result. As for opacity levels, they can vary between 30%, 50% and 75%. The price of Lumineers is high, but the advantages of the model justify the investment. Other brands of ultra-thin dental veneers known and used by dentists are MAC, IPS and DaVinci.

Dental veneers made of feldsopathic porcelain are also used for mild dental anomalies. They have three elements in their composition: feldsal, quartz and kaolin. Feldsalt is responsible for the translucency of the porcelain. They are now obsolete because the ultrafine ones are the most sought after, having less thickness and more strength.

Zirconium dental veneers

Zirconia veneers are used to correct dental defects (stains, fractures, misaligned teeth or a fixed metal part in an already loose tooth) that cannot be removed. Zirconium is a widely used material for making dental crowns, precisely because of its natural appearance, whether opaque or not. The price of zirconium veneers is higher compared to other materials.

Composite dental veneers

Composite dental veneers, known as resin veneers, are thin sheets made of translucent composite resin. It is a fast and conservative dental technique to correct defects in a tooth. They are recommended for simple cases involving touch-ups on a single tooth or where correcting a tooth is very easy. For example, at the end of orthodontic treatment, small corrections are needed to improve the shape or size of teeth. This happens when the tooth is already in the correct position but is not properly sized. The same applies if two parts of the teeth are not symmetrical or if small gaps need to be closed. When the patient is a child or a teenager, composite is ideal.

Composite-based dental veneers are considered reversible. If the treated person, years later, wants a porcelain veneer, the old veneer will be removed and the new one placed in a simple way.

Composite resin veneers are a mixture of acrylic resin with ceramic particles which, when solidified, acquire a hardness similar to the human tooth and are very adhesive. Composite dental overlays are the end result of applying composite resin, curing and polishing it on a tooth surface, thus hiding the defect of the natural tooth.

Dental composite resin is a special material used in dentistry. It is similar to a paste, which is applied to the tooth and the dentist sculpts it as if it were a clay. Once it reaches the desired shape, light curing is applied using a certain light (halogen lamps or LEDs) in order to harden it and then polish it.

There are different types of composite resins (hybrid, flowable and condensable) with many shades to match the colour of the natural tooth and the dentist's requirement. Composites last approximately 2 to 5 years, depending on the care given. Composite veneers can be made directly in the dentist's office. The time needed to place them depends on the case and the number of dental parts to be improved.

Composite resin facings have two methods of preparation: direct (freehand) and indirect. The most commonly used technique is direct, which does not require dental sculpting. When detailing the advantages and disadvantages of composite veneers, it is necessary to compare them with a similar treatment, that of porcelain veneers.

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