Dental veneers, sometimes referred as porcelain or ceramic veneers are an ultra-thin, custom-made shell of a tooth colored material designed to cover the front surface of each tooth. Veneers will repair teeth that are discolored, worn down, chipped or broken, misaligned or irregularly shaped teeth, and teeth with caps.

What Dental Veneers Can Do

Veneers will provide you with a natural tooth appearance that will not affect or irritate your gum issue. Porcelain veneers are stain resistant, and can make dark teeth appear whiter. It offers a conservative approach to changing a tooth's color and shape. Extensive shaping prior to the procedure that crowns need are not required for veneers and are actually stronger and more esthetic than crowns or bonding.

Best Candidates for Dental Veneers

Veneers, porcelain or plastic, are placed over the front teeth to change color shape of the teeth. Veneers are ideal for teeth that are too small, too big, or have uneven surfaces. It is very common for people to have imperfect teeth, either oddly shaped teeth, chipped teeth, crooked teeth, teeth with small holes in them, or an inappropriate sized tooth or teeth that have an odd appearance. Veneers solve such irregularities and create a durable and pleasing smile.
About Dental Tooth Veneers

Often an alternative to crowns, veneers are very thin pieces of specially-shaped porcelain or plastic that are glued over the front of your teeth with little or no anesthesia needed. They are the cure for teeth that are severely discolored, chipped, have small holes or pits, misshapen or crooked, or for the correction of unwanted or uneven spaces.

Unlike crowns, veneers won't require the dentist to remove much of the tooth itself in most cases. It is important to ask your cosmetic dentist how much tooth will be removed. In some cases more tooth will need to be removed, which may increase the risk of trauma to the tooth. Veneers are created from an impression taken in your cosmetic dentist's office.

Your custom veneer is then glued directly onto your tooth. Typically costing less than crowns, veneers won't stain, making veneers a very popular solution for many people seeking that perfect smile. Strong and very durable, veneers last from ten to fifteen years, and come in colors that will brighten dark teeth without the worry of them changing color.

Dental Veneer Overview

In your first appointment, it is important to initially discuss with your cosmetic dentist that you will want to "try in" your veneers with temporary cement that is the same color cement as will be used for the permanent attachment. During this "try-in" phase, be sure to look at your veneers in natural light in addition to the office light. Teeth are prepared for veneers by lightly buffing to allow for the small added thickness of the veneer. Veneers are thin like contact lenses, and will usually only need tooth reduction of 0.5mm to 1.0mm. If a drastic change is being made for the result you want, reduction may be 1.0mm to 2.0mm. A mold is taken of the teeth, from which the veneers are modeled after. Temporary veneers will be placed and worn until your permanent veneers are ready. While wearing the temporary veneers, advise your cosmetic dentist of any adjustments or changes you would like made, such as in shape or size. These changes will be translated into your permanent veneers, so good communication between you and your dentist is important in achieving your new smile.

Your dentist places the veneers with water or glycerin on the teeth to verify their perfect fit and the shade or color. The color cannot be changed after the veneers are adhered to your teeth. The tooth is then cleansed with chemicals to achieve a durable bond. Once the glue is between the veneer and your tooth, a light beam is used to harden the glue/cement.

The procedure for Lumineers is different than the above traditional porcelain veneers. Still two visits, but there is little to no preparation of the tooth and no need for temporary veneers.

Types of Dental Veneers

There are two tooth veneers procedures available that correct discoloration of the teeth by removing the brown and yellow staining. While each work effectively, there are advantages and disadvantages to each procedure dependent upon your objectives and commitment to the processes. The type of procedures available should be discussed with your cosmetic dentist, and a they will recommend the most appropriate tooth veneers procedure for you.

Composite Veneers

Composite (direct) veneers are usually performed in a single visit to your cosmetic dentist. The procedure is an application of a bond and enamel directly to the tooth's surface.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain (indirect) veneers are a very thin porcelain material. Usually porcelain veneers require two visits and also require a dental laboratory to create the final tooth restoration piece.

Lumineers Porcelain Veneers

Made of Cerinate porcelain, Lumineers are a new type of porcelain veneers. They are contact lens-thin, roughly .2 mm thick. Little to no tooth reduction in most cases is necessary with this type of veneer and anesthetics or numbing shots are not needed.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Tooth Veneers

The right veneer for your case and budget is best disucessed directly with the cosmetic dentist during your consultation. There the dentist can perform a check-up and discuss with you each of your options and the pro/cons of each of those options.

Advantages of Traditional Procelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are common in creating new smiles and smile makeovers. With porcelain veneers, you can have the smile of your dreams in a very short period of time. Typically veneers are difficult to stain, making veneers a very popular solution for many people seeking that perfect smile. Strong and very durable, veneers last from ten to fifteen years, and come in colors that will brighten dark teeth without the worry of them changing color. Veneers are typically done in only two one and a half hour long appointments, and can actually strengthen your tooth.

There is no additional maintenance, other than a follow-up visit to your cosmetic dentist and proper brushing and flossing on a daily basis.

Finally, a whiter smile gives people to whom you are speaking a place to focus on and gives you a friendlier appearance.

Disadvantages or Traditional Porcelain Veneers

It takes roughly a week or two of a period of adjustment to get used to your teeth that have been changed in color, size, spacing and shape. While very little tooth is removed in most cases, there are situations where more tooth must be removed which increases the risk of trauma to the tooth. The amount of tooth to be removed for the veneers should be discussed with your cosmetic dentist beforehand.

It is common to have minor sensitivity after your teeth have been prepared for your veneers while wearing the temporary veneers. Some people can experience a difference in speech, usually pronouncing "s" and "f" sounds. This is corrected through minor adjustments your cosmetic dentist can make to your veneers. Veneers are very reasonable facsimiles of natural teeth, but not perfect replacements for natural teeth. It's common to see slight variations in the color of veneers upon very close inspection, as with natural teeth. It can take up to a month or two before your new smile feels a part of you.

If you suffer from bruxism, clenching or grinding of your teeth, veneers can be damaged, chipped or cracked from this. If you suffer from bruxism, speak with your cosmetic dentist about wearing a mouth guard at night to protect your new smile.

Advantages of Porcelain Dental Venners

Made of Cerinate porcelain, Lumineers are a new type of porcelain veneers. They are contact lens-thin, roughly .2 mm thick. Little to no tooth reduction in most cases is necessary with this type of veneer and anesthetics or numbing shots are not needed. It is claimed that Lumineers resist micro-leakage and micro-cracking more so than traditional porcelain veneers. Unlike other porcelain veneers, you won't need to wear temporary veneers until the Lumineers are created. Lumineers are expected to last just as long as traditional porcelain veneers. Lumineers are reversible if no tooth reduction was necessary when they were first done. Cost is less than traditional porcelain veneers.

Disadvantages of Porcelain Dental Veneers

As there is little to no tooth reduction needed for Lumineers porcelain veneers, there is a limit to how much smile correction can be accomplished. This can also lead to bulky appearing and feeling veneers in some cases. Cosmetic Dentists offering Lumineers are specially trained specifically for this type of veneer which means for the time being there are fewer Cosmetic Dentists offering Lumineers.

Possible Risks of Dental Veneers

Because of their numerous benefits, veneers are considered today a first-class cosmetic dentistry solution. However, any dental treatment has its potential risks and side-effects. Make sure you find an experienced dentist who can determine your candidacy for cosmetic veneers. If you qualify as a candidate, you still have to be sure the benefits of cosmetic veneers outweigh the risks, before you decide to go with the treatment. Let's take a look at some of the risks associated with porcelain veneers. This will help prospective patients to better understand how this treatment works.

Sometimes increased risk of trauma to the teeth can occur following the procedure. Your teeth may become slightly sensitive after you have the cosmetic veneers done.

Dental veneers may eventually break off or become worn down. While this is considered a long-lasting treatment, patients should know that dental veneers may need to be replaced at some point in the future.

You will not be able to remove your veneers once the dentist has placed them on your teeth. Patients should be aware of the fact that this is an irreversible process before committing to cosmetic veneers.

Keep in mind that cosmetic veneers will not make your teeth immune from cavities. It's highly recommended to maintain proper oral hygiene and visit your dentist every six months for routine cleaning and exams. Any procedure carries risks so make sure you discuss this with your cosmetic dentist prior to having the procedure!

Risks and complications can be further reduced by visiting an experienced cosmetic dentist.

Uncomfortable Fit

One of the greatest risks of veneers is an uncomfortable fit. This means that either the tooth doesn't look as attractive as you'd hoped or that the new surface interferes with your chewing and biting. However, unless you get the no-preparation kind which is bonded instantly, you will most like have a trial period of a few weeks before the appliances are permanently bonded in which you should be able to discover any such complication.

Tell your dentist or cosmetic specialist before the appliances are permanently bonded if you experience any discomfort during your trial period. Adjustments can still be made after the trial period, but it is a more complicated procedure that will cost you more money.

Uneven Color

Veneers are typically made of resin, porcelain or other ceramic materials to appear natural. However, they are more difficult to stain than real teeth, which is a benefit, except that the surrounding real teeth may become stained and discolored and the veneer will stand out. The appliance may not even initially match your surrounding teeth and you may need to get teeth whitening in order to have a more attractive, similarly-colored smile.

A veneer itself is also not entirely immune to discoloration, so to be on the safe side, avoid excess coffee, red wine and smoking to decrease your risk of discoloration problems.

Increased Sensitivity

Because a few layers of enamel must be removed on your real teeth in order for the veneers to be able to fit over them, your teeth may become more sensitive to excessively hot and cold beverages and food. Use a toothpaste made for sensitive teeth and be careful ingesting drinks and food of extreme temperatures.

Chipped and Loose Veneer

The most problematic veneer problem may be when the appliances become chipped or loose. While cracks in a veneer are not overly common, you can take precautions to avoid this by avoiding chewing crunchy and sharp foods, particularly in the areas of the appliances.

A veneer won't often become loose if bonded properly. You may want to consult a different dentist or cosmetic specialist if you experience this problem, as it's possible the original medical professional did not prepare your teeth properly for the procedure.

Allergic Reaction

A veneer itself is usually made of porcelain or other ceramic materials, which are highly non-allergenic. However, the material used to bond the veneer to the tooth may pose problems for the rare person who is allergic to epoxy resin. If you experience allergies, you will notice the area around the veneer becomes swollen, inflamed, itchy, burning or blistering. Contact your medical professional immediately should you notice any of these symptoms.

The greatest type of risk with veneers is the appliances themselves cracking or chipping. However, if this happens, make an appointment to see your dentist or cosmetic specialist as soon as possible and you will avoid greater risks of tooth decay and damage.