What are veneers? Veneers refer to thin layers of restorative materials usually bonded over the surface of the teeth with an aim of providing protection for the damaged teeth or improving the appearance of the teeth. What are veneers types? Veneers are categorized into two major groups based on the type of material used i.e. composite veneers and porcelain veneers.
What are porcelain veneers? Porcelain veneers also referred to as dental porcelain laminates or dental veneers are thin porcelain wafers normally having a thickness of half a millimeter being fixed onto the teeth front with an aim of creating a smile makeover hence creating a beautiful outcome. Generally, these veneers mimic teeth structures better as compared to other restorative materials due to being hard, capable of resisting wear and capable of lasting for quite a long period of time. Mostly, porcelain veneers are utilized by dentist as a method of making cosmetic changes for various teeth problems.
Composite veneers also referred to as dental composite resins are forms of synthetic resins used as restorative adhesives or materials. These types of veneers are characterized by being: cheap, easy to manipulate, insoluble, insensitive to dehydration and aesthetic.
What can be accomplished with veneers?
Veneers are used to cater for numerous teeth defects such as restoration of chipped or worn teeth. They can as well be used for discolored teeth especially if an individual has tetracycline teeth stains as the dentist is capable of altering the teeth shapes as well as controlling their exact shades. Porcelain veneers can also be used in covering up of the gaps existing between the teeth, increasing the length of the teeth or can also serve as substitutes to braces.
STEPS TAKEN WHEN MAKING VENEERS FOR A TOOTH
Tooth trimming: this is the first process involving trimming back of the enamel found on the tooth’s front side where bonding of the veneer will take place. In most cases, this is meant to achieve the same thickness as that of the veneer to be fixed hence changing overall size of the tooth dramatically.
Taking an impression of the trimmed tooth: This process involves making the copy of a trimmed tooth hence, using it for fabrication of the veneer. The impression procedure can usually takes two scenarios i.e. creation of dental molds of the tooth via impression putty, then sending the copy of the tooth to a dental laboratory where porcelain or composite veneer is to be made. Fabrication of veneer usually takes between two -three weeks. The second scenario is whereby the impression is taken using a special machine consisting of camera known as dental milling machine. This machine then creates the tooth veneer by simply grinding the image obtained from dental ceramic block. This procedure is much advantageous as both trimming and veneer bonding can actually take place at once.
After the tooth has been prepared for the veneer: There are two options here i.e. a placement of temporally veneer or not. In a condition where no temporary porcelain veneer is placed: the front side of the tooth may appear a bit rough, some prominent tooth angles or corners may be irresistible to investigate continuously by the tongue, however, the patient will get used to the tooth shape within a short duration. The second case is where temporary veneer is placed especially during the fabrication of the porcelain veneer.
TAKING CARE OF VENEERS
The life span of veneers heavily depends on: how they are being used or taken care of. Taking care of them encompasses: good oral hygiene i.e. flossing and brushing them on daily basis using a non abrasive toothpaste containing fluoride. This helps in minimizing in decay especially in those parts of the tooth not covered by the veneers. In addition, removal of plaque ensures that the level of the tooth’s gum line does not act in response to inflammation of the gum i.e. periodontitis or gingivitis resulting from dental plaque.
Avoiding exposure of veneers to excessive forces especially porcelain veneers is highly recommended, as they are incapable of withstanding sharp impacts or strong forces. Activities likely to cause excess force include: biting hard objects e.g. hair pins, ice, bottles or fingernails.
Teeth grinding and clenching should be avoided as this can lead to chipping and breaking of the veneers due to heavy forces produced by these actions.
