Dental veneers are a cosmetic dentistry treatment that modifies the look of the smile by changing the color, shape, and size of the teeth. It’s a highly requested treatment nowadays due to its simplicity and immediate results.
However, there are some aspects that you should take into account before undergoing a dental veneer treatment, we will tell you in detail everything you need to know.
What is a dental veneer?
It is a very thin layer of resin or porcelain that adheres to the surface of the teeth and can change their color, shape, and size, making them look more symmetrical.
Types of dental veneers
Veneers are classified according to the material they are made of, they are currently made of 2 different materials:
- Resin or composite veneers.
- Porcelain veneers: Ultra-thin ceramic veneers, zirconium veneers, and lithium disilicate veneers.
Composite veneers
Composite veneers offer great aesthetic and very natural results, however, this material can stain over the years, so it is usually recommended for children and teenagers who have not yet finished growing.
In this way, in a few years, the dentist can make the change to permanent veneers made of more resistant materials such as porcelain or ceramic.
Porcelain veneers
Porcelain veneers are preferred by dentists and patients as they offer many improvements compared to composite resin.
They are just as aesthetic as the resin ones, but in addition, they are resistant to stains, are less likely to fracture or detach from the teeth, and can last between 15 and 20 years.
Within the veneers made of porcelain or ceramic, there are different options, the most popular due to their aesthetic results are:
- Laminate veneers.
- Lithium disilicate veneers.
- Zirconia veneers.
Laminate veneers
Also known as ultra-thin veneers, they are the most aesthetic and durable option.
Because its thickness is usually 1 mm, it is not necessary to carve the teeth to put the veneers, therefore the treatment is reversible. This type of porcelain veneer can last more than 15 years.
The most famous ultra-thin dental veneers due to their quality, duration, and high aesthetics are the Lumineers veneers.
Lithium disilicate veneers
Lithium disilicate is a relatively new material that is obtained by mixing ceramics and glass. Aesthetically, it offers the same advantages as laminate veneers.
With this material, veneers’ resistance can be up to 3 times greater than other materials, that’s why this is the ideal option for people who grind their teeth.
Zirconia veneers
Zirconia is a highly aesthetic and resistant material, it is used in different dental treatments such as in the manufacture of dental crowns and bridges.
However, when it comes to manufacturing dental veneers, zirconia is not the most popular material due to its thickness since it requires more extensive carving of natural tooth enamel.
Zirconia veneers are only used in very specific cases that require a more resistant material, e.g. Damaged teeth that need a strong cover in order to protect the natural tooth.
Pros and cons of dental veneers
Among the main benefits are the following:
- They improve the aesthetics of the smile.
- It is a non-invasive procedure (when done with ultra-thin veneers).
- They improve the self-esteem of patients and their quality of life.
- They can last for decades.
- They fit perfectly into the patient’s anatomy and do not cause any discomfort.
- They offer immediate results.
- Most of the newer materials used are stain-resistant.
Among the disadvantages we have:
- The best options are expensive.
- In some cases, it is necessary to carve the teeth to attach the veneers, making it an irreversible treatment.
- Sometimes they can cause dental sensitivity.
Placement of composite dental veneers step-by-step
- General checkup of the mouth.
- Preparation of the dental surface to attach the composite.
- The dentist molds the composite directly on the patient’s teeth (direct technique) and then uses a photocuring light to harden the material.
Composite veneers require fewer visits to the dentist and the procedure is almost immediate, however, they are not the best long-term option in terms of aesthetics and durability.
Placement of porcelain veneers step-by-step
- General checkup of the mouth.
- Digital design where the shape, size, and color of the veneers are chosen to later send the design to a dental lab where they will be manufactured.
- Preparation of the teeth consists of polishing and in some cases, carving the surface of the teeth, in the case of laminate veneers it is not necessary to carve the tooth enamel.
- Taking impressions of the teeth to obtain the mold on which the veneers will be manufactured.
- Placement of temporary veneers while the definitive ones are manufactured.
- The temporary veneers are removed and the ones made of porcelain are placed.
Porcelain veneers do not stain or wear over time, they adhere very well to the teeth and can last between 15 and 20 years.
Alternative to dental veneers
- Orthodontics: Orthodontics can help you correct the position of your teeth, although it will take longer than dental veneers.
- Tooth whitening: After orthodontics, tooth whitening is ideal to improve the color and brightness of the smile.
- Dental crowns: Crowns or caps are a tooth-shaped prosthesis that fits over a deteriorated tooth to restore its aesthetics and functionality, however, this option is not ideal if you want to improve the general appearance of the smile since it is used in very specific cases.
Prepless dental veneers
Previously, dental veneers required the tooth to be “carved”, which consisted of removing a portion of the natural enamel of the teeth to fit the veneers on them.
However, there are currently many non-invasive techniques that do not require prior dental carving, for example, laminate porcelain veneers for which the tooth enamel only needs to be polished without the need to alter its natural shape.
“Prepless” means the teeth require less preparation before getting veneers attached.
Removable veneers
Removable veneers, also known as snap-on veneers, are simply an accessory that has recently gained popularity.
These types of veneers are NOT professional, you can buy them online without the assistance of a health professional and, although the idea may seem tempting, the reality is that it is not a real treatment and it is not effective.
These types of veneers can temporarily improve the appearance of your smile and you can put them on and take them off at will, but you will probably begin to notice difficulties when it comes to speaking and eating.
In addition, the material from which they are made is usually of low quality, therefore they stain easily and even impair the functionality of natural teeth.
Teeth veneers price
The cost of veneers per tooth depends on the material they are made of:
- Composite veneers cost around $200 – $1.500 per tooth.
- Porcelain veneers cost around $800 – $2.500 per tooth.
- Zirconia costs around $1.000 – $2.000 per tooth.
- Lumineers and laminate veneers cost around $800 – $2.500 per tooth.
A full mouth treatment will require from 12 to 20 veneers.
Dental veneers Q&A
Do dental veneers look natural?
Yes, porcelain veneers stand out for their naturality and aesthetic results, especially the laminate veneers, but in general, all porcelain veneers look exactly like a natural tooth.
How many dental veneers do I need?
Typically, dental veneers are placed from canine to canine, which equates to 6 veneers in the upper arch and 6 in the lower arch, for a total of 12 veneers.
But in some cases, more dental veneers can be placed to cover all the teeth that are visible when you smile, for example, to cover the premolars, in this case, you will need a total of 20 veneers.
What material are dental veneers made of?
They can be made of resin (composite) or porcelain (laminate ceramic, lithium disilicate, zirconium).
How long can dental veneers last?
This depends on the material they are made of, composite veneers last approximately 5 years, while porcelain veneers last between 15 and 20 years and do not stain over time.
How to clean dental veneers?
People with dental veneers should follow the same hygiene routine as people with natural teeth, no additional care is required.
Can dental veneers be whitened?
The materials from which dental veneers are made cannot be whitened with chemical processes such as tooth whitening.
In the case of porcelain, the material does not stain; In the case of composite veneers, the dentist can remove superficial stains with a deep cleaning, but if the veneers are highly pigmented, the most appropriate thing is to replace them with new veneers.
How to remove a veneer?
Only your dentist should remove them, under no circumstances try to do it at home since you could injure your tooth enamel or your gums, go to a dental clinic where a professional can take care of it.
Do dental veneers stain?
Composite veneers stain, but porcelain ones are stain-resistant.
Is a dental veneer the same as a crown?
No, veneers are thin layers that adhere to the front face of the teeth, a crown is a thick cover that replaces the whole natural crown of the teeth and is required when a tooth is severely damaged.
Can dental veneers be replaced?
Yes, if one of them falls down or deteriorates, the cosmetic dentist can replace it with a new one, or you can even get a full mouth veneer replacement if you are not satisfied with the look of your smile.
Can dental insurance cover veneers?
In most cases, insurance companies don’t cover dental veneers since it is considered a cosmetic procedure, yet, if your dentist claims it is a required treatment for preserving your mouth’s health, then, the insurance company might cover it.
In fact, even when insurance doesn’t cover veneers, most of them cover veneers replacements.
Do dental veneers damage your teeth?
Some techniques require previously carving the natural teeth to attach the veneers, but there are many options that don’t require carving natural tooth enamel such as laminate veneers or lumineers, these noninvasive options don’t affect the teeth’s health.
References
- Pini, N. P., Baggio Aguiar, F. H., Nunes Leite Lima, D. A., Lovadino, J. R., Suga Terada, R. S., & Pascotto, R. C. (2012). Advances in dental veneers: Materials, applications, and techniques. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dentistry, 4, 9-16. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCIDEN.S7837
- Alothman, Y., & Bamasoud, M. S. (2018). The Success of Dental Veneers According To Preparation Design and Material Type. Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences, 6(12), 2402-2408. https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2018.353