Porcelain Veneers

*According to a OnePoll survey conducted for Bupa Dental Services.

In the past, veneers could appear unnatural, too perfect, or bulky. But with today's state-of-the-art materials, they are indistinguishable from natural teeth to all except the most highly trained eye.

Although every patient's results will vary depending on their goals, you can generally expect a brighter, more balanced, and more youthful-looking smile.

Veneers can simply be cared for like your natural teeth. Although everyone should refrain from certain habits, veneers patients especially should also avoid:

• Eating ice
• Biting your fingernails
• Opening packages with your teeth
• Chewing on pens or other objects

If you grind your teeth from time to time or play contact sports, speak with your doctor about receiving a customized mouthguard. 

Porcelain veneers are a versatile treatment which can offer benefits for a range of patients. More conservative than dental crowns, porcelain veneers can conceal a range of issues, including gaps, overlaps, stains, and minor damage. Whether you want to enhance the appearance of a single tooth or transform your entire smile, your dentist can customize treatment with veneers to suit your needs. With only a few visits to the office, you can experience the benefits of porcelain veneers for years to come. In addition, veneers combine well with other procedures, such as teeth whitening. Often, porcelain veneers are included as part of a comprehensive smile makeover plan for a complete transformation.

Dramatic Effects

For many patients, porcelain veneers offer the same results as dental crowns, teeth whitening, and orthodontics all in a single treatment. Since veneers are placed over the top of teeth, your dentist can customize them to conceal a range of concerns. Porcelain veneers can enhance teeth affected by a variety of issues, including:

• Cracks
• Chips
• Discoloration
• Spacing and gaps
• Overlaps and misalignments
• Worn or disproportionate teeth

Veneers are made from a mold of your teeth and then sized to provide the exact amount of coverage you need. Based on your specific needs, porcelain veneers can make teeth appear larger or more symmetrical. In addition, you can choose to match the current color of your smile or combine veneers with whitening and choose a brighter, more brilliant shade.

Veneers and Light Reflection

Natural dental enamel is translucent. Light shines through this layer and bounces off the underlying dentin, giving smiles their healthy sheen. Dental porcelain is also semi-translucent, meaning that light reflects off of the restorations just as it does off of dental enamel. Thanks to the highly customized fabrication process described above and the way light interacts with the restorations, porcelain veneers are virtually indistinguishable from enamel. Patients can enjoy a thoroughly enhanced but completely natural smile.

Advantages over Other Procedures

In addition to the comprehensive nature of veneers, this treatment offers a number of advantages over similar alternatives:

• Veneers are stain resistant and last for years at a time. When patients choose teeth whitening treatment, they often receive less dramatic results and must undergo touchup treatments approximately twice a year. 
• Veneers look more lifelike than similar enhancements. Cosmetic dental bonding can correct similar flaws, but the material is opaque, meaning it does not reflect light the way porcelain does. 
• Veneers are stronger than composite resin. 
• Although veneers typically cost more than bonding or teeth whitening, they usually have a smaller price tag than dental crowns. 

A Lasting Solution

With proper care and maintenance, dental veneers can last 10 to 15 years or longer. The material used for veneers is very stain-resistant. In contrast with teeth whitening, which requires frequent touch-ups, veneers can maintain their color for years. In addition, dental porcelain is strong enough that you can continue to enjoy many of your favorite foods without worry.

See Results Quickly

Veneer placement is a quick and simple procedure which typically only requires two visits. During one appointment, your dentist prepares your teeth and takes impressions to fabricate your veneers. In the second, they place the veneers and ensure you are satisfied with the results. Porcelain veneers require no recovery time. After your second visit, you will see immediate improvement in the appearance of your smile.

Increased Confidence and Happiness

One of the biggest advantages of porcelain veneers is the effect they can have on a patient's self-assurance and emotional wellness. When patients feel good about the appearance of their teeth, they are more likely to smile. In turn, this can increase their mood, social life, and even professional success. Multiple studies have proven that smiling directly impacts emotion; a landmark study conducted by Dr. Robert Zajonc in 1989 found that even a forced smile could actually make people feel happier. Zajonc theorized that the when people activate the muscles needed for smiling, it actually raises the temperature of blood travelling to the brain. In turn, these higher temperatures stimulate the parts of the brain that control emotion.4 Not only are veneers a great investment in a patient's appearance, they could also be an investment in their overall wellbeing.

Oral Health Benefits

The primary benefits of veneers are cosmetic; however, there are several ways that they can boost overall dental health. First, they can lend some strength to damaged teeth. Patients should note, however, that veneers cannot restore a severely damaged or weakened tooth. In these cases, a dental crown will provide better protection for a patient's oral health.

Encouraging Oral Hygiene

Veneers can also promote good dental hygiene. When patients have a beautifully enhanced, natural smile, they are more likely to practice outstanding care and maintenance. At their initial consultation or at any time during the placement process, patients should ask their dentist about the best way to care for their veneers and protect the underlying teeth.

Health Advantages over Other Dental Procedures

Although veneers typically require some enamel removal, this procedure leaves the majority of the tooth structure intact. In contrast, to place a crown, a dentist must reshape the entire tooth, removing a significant amount of dental material. For patients looking for a more conservative option with minimal tooth modification, veneers may be the ideal alternative.

Instant Orthodontics

For cases of minor misalignment and bite problems, porcelain veneers can serve as a sort of "instant" orthodontics, dramatically improving the appearance and function of the teeth without requiring the months or even years needed with traditional orthodontics.

Repairs for Gapped Teeth

Diastema, or gapped teeth, can occur for a number of reasons, including genetics, gum disease, an incorrect swallowing reflex and irregularly sized teeth. Many patients assume that the only way to correct gaps in their smile is to undergo several years of orthodontic treatment. While this may have been true in the past, today veneers offer an immediate solution. By creating veneers that are slightly larger than the underlying teeth, a cosmetic dentist can close in this space with porcelain restorations.

Enhancing Crooked Teeth

Patients with only slightly misaligned teeth or with a single severely crooked tooth are understandably reluctant to wear braces for several years. Fortunately, veneers are an effective and fast alternative. By placing a new façade, a cosmetic dentist can mask irregularly rotated or positioned teeth. At the same time, the restorations can mask other flaws for instant orthodontics with additional cosmetic benefits.

Veneers and Severe Orthodontic Issues

Patients who are considering veneers for instant orthodontics should note that this treatment is not considered an effective option for severely crooked teeth or malocclusion. Because veneers do not actually correct the underlying tooth structure, patients with serious orthodontic issues should address these problems to prevent complications such as dental erosion or TMJ. Additionally, when patients who have malocclusion receive veneers, the restorations often have a very short lifetime; the porcelain faces constant pressure from the dental misalignment. In a relatively short time, this can lead to structural damage, or a veneer can come off entirely.

Risks

As with any medical treatment, there are some risks associated with the placement of porcelain veneers. For the most part, these risks are minor and quite rare.

Tooth Sensitivity

Veneers are considered a very low-risk treatment. However, as with any medical or dental procedure, there is some chance of complications. Because this treatment often involves enamel removal, the biggest risk is that a patient will experience permanent tooth sensitivity, especially to hot or cold temperatures. Typically, if sensitivity lasts for more than 3 to 6 months after veneers placement, this indicates an underlying problem with the procedure. For example, the dental cement may be leaking or the nerve may have been exposed and infected during placement.

Dental Damage

There is also a slight risk that the underlying dentin may become damaged during the enamel removal process. Alternatively, a poorly fitting veneer could change the alignment of a patient's bite, leading to dental sensitivity, discomfort while eating, or, in more extreme cases, bruxism and jaw pain.

Future Replacement

Although veneers can last several decades, they must eventually be replaced, and the second placement process will involve another round of enamel removal. Those who already have some enamel erosion before their first treatment may not have enough material for a second placement. In these cases, they will require an alternative restoration such as cosmetic bonding or a dental crown. Patients should discuss their replacement options before receiving their first set of veneers. If they are not willing to consider alternative treatments in the future, they should not choose a procedure that will permanently alter their teeth.

Minimizing the Risks

As stated above, veneers are considered to be a very safe dental treatment, and there are several things that patients can do to further reduce their risks. First, they should be cautious when choosing their cosmetic dentist, following the guidelines listed above. By reading reviews from past patients, they can determine whether a particular dentist has a history of case complications. Second, if they are truly concerned about dental sensitivity or the permanent nature of veneers, patients may opt for no-prep veneers. Because they require little enamel removal, if any, the risk of sensitivity is lower. Patients should be aware, however, that some dentists believe no-prep veneers look less natural than traditional veneers.

No other dental treatment can address such a wide variety of cosmetic concerns. Bonding can treat a number of conditions but does not have the longevity of veneers. A crown can repair damaged teeth, but requires significant alterations to the natural structure of the tooth.

Porcelain veneers are designed to enhance the appearance of your smile immediately after they are placed.

Schedule an appointment to begin customizing your treatment today.