Everything you need to know about veneers!

Veneers have become a real discovery in the world of cosmetic dentistry in recent years, they quickly won the love of fans of the Hollywood smile and still don’t lose their popularity. Let's figure out what veneers are, and what advantages and disadvantages they have.

What are veneers?

Veneers are thin plates, usually made of ceramic or composite material, which are placed on the front surface of the teeth. They are intended to improve the appearance of teeth, hide defects and give them a more attractive appearance. 

Veneers are made individually for a specific patient and are attached to the teeth with the help of a special glue. They are very thin, but durable and natural, which allows you to achieve a perfect smile without significant dental procedures.

How do you put veneers on your teeth?

The procedure for installing veneers on teeth is minimally invasive and allows you to quickly and relatively easily improve the appearance of your smile. It all starts with a consultation with a dentist, who will tell you in detail everything that interests you and answer the question "how are veneers placed?". You discuss all the details and wishes regarding the result. After that the veneers are selected and impressions are taken for their individual production. When the veneers are ready, they are attached to natural teeth with the help of dental glue and fixed with a special light. Compared to other dental procedures, this process takes relatively little time and allows you to enjoy an excellent result immediately after completion. 

Indications for installing veneers on teeth

Installation of veneers is an aesthetic procedure that is usually carried out at the patient's own request. However, there are several cases when the doctor can offer it independently, in order to preserve a good and natural smile: 

• deformed teeth (unevenness of the tooth row, irregular shape of teeth);
• interdental spaces;
• enamel damage (minor chips);
• change in the color of the enamel (stains on the teeth that can’t be dealt with by professional cleaning).

Contraindications to installing veneers on teeth

If you have already decided that you want to install veneers yourself, it's time to ask yourself "can I install veneers?", because there is a whole list of weights that are contraindicated for this procedure:

• significant loss of teeth (veneers will not be effective in restoring the bite in the absence of a large number of teeth);
• widespread caries and gum disease (before installing veneers, it is necessary to ensure the general health of the oral cavity);
• abrasion of teeth of the second level or higher;
• bruxism (involuntary grinding of teeth);
• incorrect bite.

Even indications for the installation of veneers in the neglected state can become contraindications, so it is necessary to monitor the health of the oral cavity in any case

Types of veneers

Today, there are several types of veneers that differ in materials, physical characteristics (thickness, light permeability), manufacturing methods (therapeutic "direct" and orthopedic "indirect" veneers), availability, and cost. Let's analyze the differences and features of the two main types of veneers - composite and ceramic.

Composite veneers

Such veneers are made of composite resins and fillers, which gives them stability and a natural look. They can be extremely thin (which allows you to save a significant part of the tooth), ideal for correcting minor defects (chips, stains). Composite veneers are direct and clinical, depending on the manufacturing method. Direct veneers are formed directly on the tooth in the dental office. Clinical veneers are made in a dental laboratory using impressions of the patient's teeth. This is a more complicated process, which includes the production of veneers on special models of teeth. When choosing between these types, the dentist recommends the method that best meets your needs and the condition of your teeth.

In general, composite veneers are more affordable, but less wear-resistant than ceramic veneers and may require regular correction/replacement every few years. 

Ceramic veneers 

Thanks to the ceramic production, such veneers are more natural in appearance, have a natural color and shine, and are as similar as possible to natural teeth. They are made very thin and retain a significant part of the tooth, perfectly tolerate the load, do not burn out and do not turn yellow over time, which ensures a long-lasting and stable result. Ceramic veneers are porcelain (durable and natural in appearance), glass-ceramic (transparent, aesthetic and durable) and made of zirconium dioxide (maximum strength, withstand large loads). 

In general, ceramic veneers are more aesthetic, but they can be more expensive than composite ones.

Pros and cons of veneers

Both ceramic and composite veneers have their advantages and disadvantages.

The main advantages of veneers

• Excellent aesthetics (teeth acquire a natural and healthy look);
• Minimal loss of tooth tissue (installation of veneers requires less loss of natural teeth compared to crowns);
• Durability (they serve for several years or more under the condition of proper care);
• A wide range of uses (solve different insignificant problems of aesthetics);
• Fast result (established on average in two visits, the result is visible immediately).

The main cons of veneers

• High cost.
• Can’t be installed in case of serious damage to the teeth.
• Vulnerable to mechanical damage, may break or peel off.
• They require constant care.
• It is forbidden to use hard food or drinks that can damage the materials.

How to replace veneers?

If you want to restore the beauty of your smile without significant loss of tooth tissue, you should opt for such a structure as luminaries. According to the principle of action, they are almost the same as veneers: the main function of luminers is to restore the aesthetics of the dentition, however, there are certain differences. The thickness of veneers is usually 2-3 mm, while the thickness of luminers is up to 2 mm, and they aren’t inferior to the first in strength. Thanks to the amazing thinness, the luminaries almost do not require cutting down the tooth tissue for installation. They are also more transparent and shinier than veneers, so they can look less natural and create the effect of a snow-white "Hollywood" smile. Numerous advantages of luminaries cause their high cost.

Shelf life and proper care of veneers

In order to preserve functional veneers as long as possible, it is recommended to adhere to daily hygiene (brushing, flossing), avoid traumatic situations (hard food, grinding teeth), regularly visit the dentist and undergo professional cleaning.

With proper care for veneers and following all the dentist's recommendations, they can last a long time (on average 10-20 years), giving you an excellent and stable result. However, it is important to visit the dentist regularly to assess the condition of the veneers and their functionality.