A dental veneer is a cosmetic dental procedure where a cover is placed over the tooth to create the preferred appearance. They are created with porcelain or composite; and can cover things like a cracked or chipped tooth, staining, and can help the teeth to appear straight and white. Dental veneers can hide many dental imperfections and create a beautiful smile you have always dreamt of. As a Vancouver cosmetic dentist says, dental veneers can function for more than ten years if they are appropriately cared for.
Types of Veneers
The two main kinds of dental veneers are composite and porcelain. A composite veneer is built either separately and then applied to the tooth or can be applied directly to the tooth and hardened in place. These veneers are most often used for younger patients who are still having growth in their jaw and teeth and will require something more permanent to replace this veneer later.
A porcelain veneer is used to create a cover over the tooth using porcelain that has been created to match the shade of the surrounding teeth, or in the case of covering many teeth, they are created to be the shade that is chosen by the patient and their dental care provider. These are built offsite from a mold of the tooth and are installed with a bonding material.
Veneers may also be created to cover the front of the tooth and improve the appearance of the tooth, or they may be created to cover the top and the front, with increases surface coverage and increased ability to adapt shape and alignment of the teeth.
Lifespan of Veneers
A composite veneer is not a permanent solution and will require replacement in approximately four years. They are susceptible to the regular wear that occurs with use and are often used in situations where they anticipate requiring a replacement in coming years. When a patient is younger, teen or even preteen, they are more likely to have a composite veneer put in place for a few years and then replaced when they are done growing and their teeth have matured. Composite veneers are also more cost friendly, and covered by insurance, while a porcelain veneer will last longer.
While a porcelain veneer will last many years longer than a composite, it also will require replacement. Porcelain veneers can last between 10 and 12 years but will wear and can also take on staining from some foods or smoking.
Veneer Results
A well made veneer will help to protect the tooth from staining and can be used to cover any staining that has already occurred. They can make teeth appear nearly identical in colour, shape, and size. As they cover the front of the tooth, and often other areas of the teeth as well, they can change the appearance of either one or two teeth or the entire smile. By creating the shade of white that is preferred by the patient, they are the shade and size that will fit the ideal appearance of teeth for that individual.
As the tooth is prepared for the installation of a veneer the enamel will be thinned. There are increased risks of composite veneers as they will require the surface of the tooth to be prepared each time and the bond from the old one removed.
