Dental veneers and laminates

Over time, your teeth can become damaged, stained, or even look unsightly as a result of improper care, lifestyle damage, or even some other dental work you’ve had in the past. Dental veneers and laminates are thin coverings that are attached to the front of the teeth to cover any imperfections in the natural teeth.

Veneers can fix the appearance of your teeth, giving you a sparkling smile that grabs the attention you want!

Problems that can be solved with dental veneers

Dental veneers are used to treat most problems that make the front of the teeth look unattractive.

These may include:

• Discoloration and stains from medications, excessive use of fluoride, fillings that have discolored, tobacco, and the like.
• Signs of wear, such as chipped, cracked, worn, and broken teeth, uneven teeth, irregularly shaped and misaligned teeth or teeth with gaps between them.
• Dental veneers or veneers are one of the most popular ways to improve the appearance of the front of your teeth.

Veneers are basically very thin coverings that are custom made to match the shape, length, and shade of the surrounding teeth. Depending on the material used, they can be quite resistant to staining as well as mimic the look of your natural teeth.

What does the procedure involve?

Getting veneers doesn’t take a lot of time, as the entire procedure is usually completed in just three visits to your dentist:

Diagnosis and Planning

Your first visit will usually be a consultation with the dentist, so he or she can closely inspect your teeth, diagnose your condition, and map out a plan of action. At this stage, you can discuss your expectations of the laminates. The doctor may need to take an impression of your teeth or an X-ray to properly determine the extent of the damage.

Preparation and Temporary Veneer

Usually, at the second visit, the dentist will prepare the teeth for possible veneers. This involves removing a small layer of enamel, usually the same thickness as the veneer, about ½ millimeter. The extraction can be done under local anesthesia if you prefer, or if the dentist deems it necessary.

Another model is made after removal, so the technicians can shape the final veneer so that it is not noticeable. In case the tooth is badly damaged or unsightly, a temporary veneer can be used until the final veneer is ready.

Bonding and placement

This is the final visit, when the custom siding is inspected and installed. The dentist will first place the veneers without any luting material, to make sure they fit well and look natural. Once they are trimmed as needed, the surface of your teeth will be thoroughly cleaned, polished to remove any surface imperfections, and then “etched”.

The etching hardens the surface that will be in contact, so the veneer adheres better. Once the tooth has been properly placed with the adhesive cement, a special light is applied to help the cement cure quickly and completely. Any excess cement or protruding surfaces are reduced to size.

Pros and cons of dental veneers

Although veneers have better cosmetic qualities, they do not prevent or stop cavities, infections, and other dental problems.

Advantage

• Laminates can look very much like your natural teeth and are not very noticeable.
• Porcelain veneers resist stains well and do not bother the gums.
• Unlike dental crowns, veneers do not require extensive reshaping of the entire tooth, just the front surface.
• Laminates are relatively non-invasive and do not carry the risks associated with major dental work.

Disadvantages

• Veneers are more expensive compared to composite resin bonding.
• They are permanent and usually cannot be repaired if they chip or crack. Also, they cannot be recolored.
• Although very rare, veneers have been known to fall off if pulled too tight.
• Aftercare and expected life.

Veneers don’t require any special attention beyond normal oral hygiene, although it’s generally a good idea to avoid getting too stressed. This includes avoiding nail biting or chewing on very hard objects. Your tooth may still have decay under the veneer, and if it gets out of control, you may need a root canal or crown.

In general, veneers can last anywhere from five years to a decade and can be replaced after that. Although they resist stains quite well, it is a good idea to avoid foods that can cause stains, such as red wine and coffee, better prevent than cure!