What are veneers, and how do you utilize them?

A veneer is a layer of composite filling material or a porcelain shell. This layer of filling material is available in various colors so that the color of your tooth can be approximated. A veneer can change the shape or color of the tooth. This makes it possible to repair broken corners, whiten yellow or brown teeth, fill gaps between teeth or mask crooked teeth.

In most cases, a veneer lasts five to ten years. There are various aspects that make a veneer less durable. Smoking or drinking coffee causes a veneer to discolor. Grinding teeth or biting nails can cause a veneer to wear out or be damaged more quickly. It can be completely replaced or repaired if it is damaged.

Placing veneers

Together with your dentist, you choose the desired color of the veneers and determine whether you want veneers made of porcelain or composite. With bonded veneers, the dentist immediately starts working with the chosen color, but with porcelain, the process is more laborious, and the veneers must be made in the dental laboratory. In most cases, the dental technician, in consultation with you and your dentist, will determine the color that suits your teeth and personal wishes.

A small layer of the tooth often has to be ground away with both ceramic and composite veneers. This is not always necessary. However, the amount of tooth that may need to be ground down for veneers is much smaller than the amount of tooth tissue that needs to be removed for placing crowns. One of the main benefits of veneers over crowns is this.

After placing a veneer

You may have to get used to the veneer, but eventually, the veneer will feel like your own tooth. Talking can also cause some problems in the beginning; if the shape of your teeth has changed, sounds can become distorted. After a few days, this normally goes away by itself. In principle, you can eat anything with a veneer. However, not biting on hard materials such as candy or nails is advisable. This can damage the veneers.

A veneer does not require any additional maintenance. As always, cleaning with a gentle brush will be required to maintain the cleanliness of your teeth and veneers. You can use toothpicks, interdental brushes and possibly also floss to clean between your teeth properly.

The advantages and disadvantages of porcelain veneers

A major advantage of porcelain veneers is the natural appearance they give. They are baked in dental laboratories and can not be made directly in the mouth. A treatment always requires at least two sessions. They are also less sensitive to discoloration. The average lifespan is normally longer than a composite veneer.

But there are also disadvantages, such as the aforementioned fact that a second appointment is always necessary for the treatment. In addition, they are considerably more expensive than composite veneers. Although they are praised for their superior quality, they do come with a price tag. Finally, a major disadvantage, should something happen to the veneers, is that they are very difficult to repair properly and properly. It is, therefore, possible that damage or break in the veneer requires a completely new veneer.

The advantages and disadvantages of composite veneers

A composite veneer consists of synthetic resin filled with glass particles. These glass particles determine the gloss and wear resistance. They are applied and cured layer by layer, just like normal fillings. The veneers are then ground and polished to the correct shape. Composite bonding veneers have a lot of benefits, such as the fact that they are relatively inexpensive, especially compared to porcelain veneers. They also require only one treatment to install and are easy to repair if damaged or broken.

The disadvantages of composite veneers include that they discolor more easily and generally have a shorter lifespan than porcelain veneers.

Consult your dentist in Arlington, VA, to determine which veneers suit you best!

To read more useful articles, click here.