Our patients often ask us about dental veneers and their use to improve the appearance of the smile. Indeed, it's a popular treatment in cosmetic dentistry. To educate you on the subject, the Prisma Dentistes team has prepared this article.
What are dental veneers?
Dental veneers are thin shells, made of porcelain or composite. They are placed on the outer surface of the teeth to improve the appearance of the dentition. They can be used to even out smiles, correct tooth color or mask discolored or stained teeth. Veneers can also cover teeth that have deteriorated slightly through wear.
In short, veneers can correct a number of aesthetic defects in the smile, for teeth that look uniform, whiter and brighter.
Can anyone receive veneers?
The answer to this question, unfortunately, is no... Indeed, to be able to receive veneers, a person's dentition must be in very good health. Veneers cannot be placed on teeth affected by decay or gum disease. In such cases, these pathologies must be treated with the appropriate therapy before aesthetic veneers can be considered. The general rule is that the dentition must be free of any oral problems before veneers can be fitted. In addition, you should be aware that other treatments can improve the appearance of the smile and could be considered instead of veneers. These include teeth whitening to correct tooth color, or orthodontic care to correct alignment.
What are the different options available in clinic?
There are two types of dental veneers we offer at Prisma Dentistes, porcelain veneers and composite veneers.
Porcelain veneers
First, here's what you need to know about porcelain veneers. Approximately 0.3 mm thick, porcelain veneers are placed on the outer surface of the dentition. To do this, a thin layer of tooth enamel must be removed to create sufficient space for the veneers. The veneers are fabricated in a laboratory and installed on the teeth during a second appointment. Here's what sets porcelain veneers apart:
- Porcelain veneers imitate natural teeth very well in their whiteness and brilliance;
- They retain their initial whiteness well and are resistant to stains caused by food;
- They are durable and have a lifespan of several years, which is higher than composite veneers.
Let's stress that porcelain veneers are an irreversible treatment, since part of the enamel of the teeth on which they are installed must be removed. In this sense, they absolutely must be repaired or replaced if they break.
Composite veneers
Composite veneers instead take the form of a thin layer of composite resin, which is applied and shaped directly onto the patient's teeth during a single appointment. Composite veneers are very thin, so there's no need to prepare the teeth as is the case with porcelain veneers. Here are the advantages of composite veneers:
- They're made and installed in just one appointment;
- They're more economical than porcelain veneers;
- They're not as strong, but they can be easily repaired if they wear out or break;
- They can be removed without consequence, so it's a reversible treatment.
Composite veneers are more economical than porcelain veneers. It may therefore be a good idea to start with composite veneers, before considering their porcelain counterpart, to see if this treatment is suitable and can satisfactorily improve the appearance of the smile.
If you have more questions about dental veneers, ask for a consultation with the Prisma Dentistes team to find out if this aesthetic treatment can meet your expectations!
