Q. What is a veneer?
A. Veneers are wafer-thin laminates made of porcelain, ceramic, or composite bonding material. They are bonded to the visible portion of the tooth in order to improve the cosmetic appearance.
Q. Why would I need veneers?
A. Veneers can cover your teeth and improve any imperfections, including gaps, chips, and staining. A single discoloured tooth or tooth that is out of position can often be improved by the fitting of a veneer. When braces are not an option, veneers can be used to improve the position and spacing of your teeth.
Q. What are some of the advantages of veneers?
A. Veneers are long lasting. Unlike some other cosmetic dental procedures, veneers require very little preparation of the tooth. Veneers also result in a healthy, natural looking smile.
Q. How long can dental veneers last?
A. Dental veneers can provide you with a brighter, more aesthetically pleasing smile for an average of 10 to 15 years, although some types may last even longer. Dental veneers will eventually need to be replaced, but with proper care, they will provide you with many years of service.
Q. What kind of preparation is involved?
A. In order to ensure a strong bond between the veneer and the tooth, some of the enamel of the tooth will usually need to be removed. The amount of enamel removed is about the same thickness as the veneer itself, so the tooth is no larger or smaller once the veneer is fitted. After the tooth is prepared, the dentist will take a mould or impression of the teeth, so that the lab can create the veneer. The color of the surrounding teeth will be matched so that the veneer looks as natural as possible.
Q. How long do veneers usually take to apply?
A. You will need a series of visits. Your first visit will include a consultation with your dentist where he or she will perform an examination, discuss the procedure, and the estimated costs. Your dentist will then need to prepare your teeth. This may include a local anaesthetic to ease any discomfort you may experience. After your teeth are prepared, your dentist will take a mould or impression of your teeth using a special putty or dental wax.
This mould is then sent to a laboratory to create your new veneers, which can take between 1 to 3 weeks. On your next appointment, your dentist will fit your veneers to your teeth. Your dentist will adjust them as needed and clean your teeth. Now, it is time to bond the veneers to your teeth using a special light to activate the cement. Your dentist will complete the process by polishing your teeth.
Q. Will I receive a temporary veneer while I’m waiting?
A. Because there is usually such minimal preparation of the tooth, it is unlikely you will need a temporary. Your tooth will probably look much as it did before your dentist prepared it for the veneer, but it may feel slightly less smooth.
Q. What will happen after my veneer is fitted?
A. Your dentist may need to make minor adjustments once your veneer has been fitted. About a week after your veneers have been placed, you will need to return for another visit so that your dentist can evaluate your adjustment to your new veneers, the gum tissue response, and answer any questions you may have. Your dentist will also take the opportunity to polish your veneers at this visit.
Q. Will the veneer affect my ability to talk or eat?
A. They might, but not negatively. Because the veneers are capable of filling gaps and evening up misalignments, they can make it easier for you to bite and chew food. And they are so thin, they will feel just like your natural teeth. Your speech should be normal, and if you struggled with whistling before due to misalignments or gaps, the veneers may very well correct that!
Q. What will my veneer cost?
A. Costs for veneers vary from practice to practice, ranging from £300 – £500 per veneer. Some veneers may costs more, depending on the brand. Concerns about prices and payment options should be discussed with your cosmetic dentist prior to beginning your treatment.
Q. Are veneers difficult to care for?
A. Not at all. Although the veneers themselves do not decay, your natural teeth are still susceptible to plaque and bacteria, so it is important that you maintain excellent dental hygiene practices. You should be diligent about brushing with nonabrasive toothpaste and flossing regularly to maintain your investment and keep your veneers in their best condition.
You will also need to continue regular dental checkups to monitor the health of your mouth, but it is important that you ensure your dental hygienist is experienced in the maintenance of veneers. Some cosmetic dentists will recommend maintenance visits for polishing a few times a year as well.
Although porcelain veneers are very strong, they can fracture, so avoid biting metal or hard objects. If you engage in contact sports or grind your teeth at night, you will need to use a mouth guard when you play or sleep.
Q. I have gingivitis or weak teeth. Are veneers still an option for me?
A. You will need to discuss your dental health with your cosmetic dentist at your initial consultation. He or she will perform an examination and make the determination as to whether or not you a good candidate for veneers. Your dentist will also discuss with you appropriate aftercare to help you avoid any infections or complications that can stem from your preexisting conditions.
Q. I have some bad dental habits. Will this be a problem?
A. It could be. If you chew on ice, your fingernails, pencils, or other similar objects, you may risk putting too much stress on your veneers. While they are made of very strong porcelain, they can crack and break, just like real teeth. It is important to take care of them just like you would your natural teeth.
Q. What other alternatives to veneers exist?
A. Tooth-colored filling may be used to repair minor damage to the front of your teeth, but this procedure may not work well on the chips that can occur on the corners of your teeth. Crowns can be used for teeth that have been broken, have had root canals, or that contain large fillings. Orthodontics can be helpful for treating misaligned, crooked, or over-crowded teeth. Cosmetic contouring may be used to even out small grooves or wear in the surface of the enamel.
Q. How can I find the right cosmetic dentist for me?
A. Ask for referrals from friends, family members, or your general dentist. Learn about your cosmetic dentist’s experience, look at his or her smile book for examples of past work, notice whether or not the staff is courteous and friendly, and pay attention to the office surroundings and equipment. If you have any doubts, ask questions!
<b> Lumineers </b>
Lumineers is a brand name for a special type of veneers made by Cerinate. Lumineers are made from a special patented cerinate porcelain with leucite crystals for a strong and durable veneer. Lumineers are made by a single laboratory in the United States. They are no thicker than a contact lens, and they can be placed over both your natural teeth as well as over bridge work and crowns. Lumineers are only available from Lumineers-certified dentists.
<i> The Application of Lumineers </i>
Unlike more traditional veneers, Lumineers can be placed painlessly, without altering the original tooth structure. Lumineers takes just two visits to place. In the first visit, your dentist will create a mould and determine the correct shade of white for your teeth. The mould will then be sent to the Lumineers Smile Design Studio where your Lumineers will be created.
At your second visit, your dentist will fit your new Lumineers and check them for the right fit and colour. They may then be applied with no shots, drilling, or pain. And unlike traditional veneers, because there is no preparation of the tooth, no drilling, or filing of the enamel, Lumineers are considered to be reversible.
With Lumineers, you can eat, drink, and chew gum as you like, because they are very durable. Lumineers are clinically proven to last more than 20 years and come with a limited lifetime warranty that includes replacement at no charge with certain restrictions.
<i> Pros and Cons of Lumineers </i>
Even though Lumineers are micro-thin, an estimated .2 to .3 millimetres thick, adding that thickness to your teeth with no extra preparation can create an uncomfortable sensation or bulky appearance. In addition, the preparation of the tooth enhances the bonding of the veneer. Of course, simply because Lumineers can be fitted without bonding does not mean they must be. You and your dentist can discuss whether or not tooth preparation should be a part of your Lumineers experience if you decide that Lumineers Veneers are right for you.
<i> Who is the ideal Lumineers patient? </i>
Lumineers may not be right for everyone. However, for those who have missing tooth structure, worn or fractured edges, or gaps between their teeth, Lumineers may be the ideal solution. The veneer can add bulk to their teeth and create a fuller effect that can have an aesthetically pleasing quality.
<b> da Vinci Veneers </b>
da Vinci Veneers are a brand of porcelain veneers made in the da Vinci laboratory in California. da Vinci Veneers has been on the cosmetic dentistry market for over 25 years and is one of the best-known and most trusted brands of veneers available today. da Vinci Veneers have been featured on television programs such as Fox’s The Swan and ABC’s Extreme Makeover.
da Vinci veneers are wafer thin, requiring minimal tooth preparation. They are highly durable, retaining their bright color and are resistant to staining for many years. Because they are made of translucent ceramic, they are also extremely natural looking, making them an attractive alternative to traditional veneers.
<i> The Application of da Vinci Veneers </i>
Patients require an average of three appointments in order for their da Vinvi Veneers to be fitted.
The first appointment will include diagnosis and planning. Your dentist will discuss with you your goals and desires for your smile. He or she may offer a digital smile preview. It is important that you understand that there are limitations as to what any veneer procedure can accomplish. The costs and payment options may also be discussed at this appointment.
At your second appointment, your teeth will be prepared for your new veneers. They will be buffed, and approximately a half-millimeter of enamel will be removed to allow for the application of your new da Vinci Veneers. Your dentist will then take a mould, or impression, of your teeth and send it off to the da Vinci laboratory in California in order for them to fabricate your new veneers. This may take about two weeks, and you may be given temporary veneers to wear in the interim.
At your final appointment, your da Vinci Veneers will be bonded to your teeth. Your dentist will first check your veneers for fit and colour to ensure that you are satisfied with your new smile. The colour can be adjusted as needed and minor adjustments can be made before your Da Vinci Veneers are cemented.
<i> Pros and Cons of da Vinci Veneers </i>
daVinci Veneers require preparation of the tooth surface, in that about .5 millimetre of the tooth enamel will need to be removed. This means that when your veneers eventually wear out, which can happen in 10 to 20 years depending on how you care for them, they will need to be replaced. These veneers are a work of art, however, each one created to closely match your dentist’s vision for your new smile.
<i> Who is the ideal da Vinci candidate? </i>
Not every dental procedure is right for every person. Because da Vinci veneers involve the removal of enamel, they are not considered reversible. If you are unsure about whether or not you want to have permanent veneers, da Vinci veneers may not be the right choice for you.