|
Veneers
What
is Veneer in Dentistry?
A Veneer is a thin wafer of tooth colored material that is permanently bonded on the front surface of the anterior teeth in order to cover and esthetically restore an unsightly
tooth. A veneer can either cover a portion of the front surface or the entire front surface of the tooth depending on the requirement.
When
are the Veneers needed?
Veneers are used to correct the following conditions:
-
Teeth with facial surface that is malformed during its growth and development.
-
Permanent discoloration of the teeth that cannot be removed by just cleaning or polishing the tooth.
-
Tooth with a discolored and a broken filling on the facial surface area.
-
Teeth which get abraded and eroded by wear and tear.
-
To cover up small gaps seen among the anterior teeth.
What
are these Veneers made up off?
Veneers are made from a thin shell of porcelain that is then bonded on a prepared tooth surface. Veneers can also be made using a type of plastic dental material called composites.
A composite resin filling may be used when only a small amount of tooth structure needs replacement. A porcelain veneer is indicated when a portion of the front surface of the tooth needs a complete aesthetic restoration.
How
are the Veneers placed on the teeth?
Veneers are bonded and cemented directly to the existing tooth structure. At the first veneer appointment the tooth surface will be reduced by about 0.5mm so as to create room for the porcelain veneer. An impression of the prepare tooth will be taken, to make an exact replica of the prepared teeth. During the second veneering appointment, the tooth will be wetted with a mild acid solution and the veneers are bonded with a tooth colored liquid resin material.
What
are the advantages of the porcelain Veneer?
The porcelain veneer can be crafted in such away so as to bear an esthetically pleasing naturalness that is unsurpassed by other restorative options. The amount of tooth substance that has to sacrificed in order to fix a porcelain veneer is very minimal.
The porcelain veneer is stain free and therefore is not easily affected by items like coffee, tea, tobacco etc, which severely stain the natural teeth or veneers made up of composites.
What
are the disadvantages of the porcelain Veneer?
One of the more significant disadvantages associated with porcelain veneers is the fact that they do have the potential for coming off or breaking, and of course this will no doubt occur at the most inopportune of times. If a porcelain veneer has broken there is no way for your dentist to repair it, their only option will be to make you a new one. This means that you will have to endure the cost of having the new veneer made, as well as endure the time it takes for the new veneer to be fabricated and ultimately bonded into place. If a porcelain veneer has simply come off there is a chance that your dentist will be able to reattach it to your tooth.
How
long will the porcelain Veneer last?
With good home care and by exercising good judgement, it seems likely that a porcelain veneer could last well in excess of ten years.
What
do I expect from the porcelain Veneer?
Have realistic expectations. Porcelain veneers are reasonable facsimiles of natural teeth, not perfect replacements. It is not uncommon to see slight variations in the color of porcelain veneers upon close inspection, as this occurs even in natural teeth. Nevertheless, this procedure can greatly enhance your smile, and can heighten inner satisfaction and self-esteem.
|
