If you want to improve your smile, dental veneers may be a good choice for you.
Veneers are thin materials that sit in front of your existing teeth to improve their appearance. Veneers are just one of several ways to change the appearance of your teeth. Tooth bonding and enameloplasty are other options besides crowns.
There are 2 main types of veneers: porcelain and composite.
.Porcelain veneers, as the name suggests, are made of porcelain specifically to fit your teeth.
.Composite veneers are usually made of tooth-colored resin, the same type of material used in tooth bonding.
Both types of coatings have their pros and cons, so it’s important to consider the level of problem you hope to solve with the coatings and your budget.
Who can get a coating?
Dental veneers can cover tooth imperfections and give you an even, bright smile. Imperfections may include teeth that are crooked or misshapen, chipped, stained or discolored, or the enamel on your teeth may be eroded.
Veneers cover some of your teeth, but they differ from crowns, which are actually thicker and cover the entire back and front tooth. Crowns also tend to require more cutting of the tooth, which you may or may not need in veneers.
Veneers can be a good choice if your teeth are in relatively good condition and you just want to change their appearance, including shape or color.
Crowns are usually only used for more damaged teeth. For example, if you have a broken tooth or need root canal treatment, a crown may be a better solution.
Coating types
A dentist can offer you a choice between 3 types of veneers: direct composite veneers, indirect composite veneers and porcelain veneers.
Direct composite coatings
Direct composite veneers are veneers made of composite resin material that are applied directly to your teeth. It doesn’t take long for a dentist to prepare your teeth for veneer application, and the application process is considered minimally invasive.
Indirect composite coatings
The main difference between direct and indirect composite coatings is the application process, not the actual material used. Your teeth are prepared directly in the same way as composite veneers, but veneers are custom made “indirectly” outside the mouth, either in your dentist’s office or in a dental laboratory. You will receive a number of temporary overlays until the indirect overlays are done. In the next appointment, indirect composite veneers are applied to your teeth with a layer of adhesive.
Indirect composite coatings can withstand more wear and breakage than the direct version. However, they tend to cost more than direct composite veneers.
porcelain veneers
Porcelain veneers are made of porcelain specifically for your teeth. A dentist will take impressions of your teeth so veneers can be made from mold in the dental lab, a process that can take a week or more. While you wait, you will receive a series of temporary overlays, just as with indirect composite veneers. When ready, the dentist will stick thin porcelain shells to the front of your teeth and shape them to look as natural as possible.
Composite coating procedure
Your dentist will start the process by thoroughly cleaning your teeth and preparing them for the application. Your dentist may have to remove a thin layer of enamel to help the material adhere to your teeth. Sometimes, your teeth don’t need to be cut if minor changes in shape or color are required. Then the process will be slightly different depending on whether you get direct or indirect overlays.
Before directly applying veneers, a dentist abrades the tooth enamel to aid adhesion.
They will then apply a tacky adhesive to help the composite resin material adhere to your teeth. Finally, very thin layers of composite material are added to the surface of your teeth.
The dentist will cure the layers of the composite resin with a light. You and your dentist can choose the color or color you want for your veneers. Your dentist can mix composite resin colors to make your veneers look natural.
In indirect veneers, the dentist takes a mold of your teeth after preparing your teeth. Indirect veneers are produced outside of your mouth. Once the indirect veneers are ready, the dentist will apply them by abrading your teeth and then applying some type of adhesive material to your teeth. This adhesive or bonding agent will help the coatings stay in place.
They then place the composite veneers on your teeth. They will use a light to cure the adhesive and adhere the veneers to the teeth. The dentist will then clean up any stray edges and polish everything.
Many people do not need anesthesia during the procedure. However, if you do, you can return to work or other normal activities after the anesthetic wears off.
How long do composite coatings last?
Composite coatings are considered more durable today than in the past. On average, they can last 5 to 7 years. After that, you will need a replacement set of skins. That’s a much shorter lifespan than a set of porcelain veneers that can last at least 10 or 15 years. You can extend the life of your composite veneers by taking good care of them.
Adopt a regular brushing routine with a non-abrasive toothpaste and resist the urge to chew on ice and other hard objects with your front teeth.
Some dentists also recommend watching out for drinks like coffee or tea, which can stain your new veneers.
Can composite veneers be removed?
Composite coatings can be easily removed and repaired or replaced by adding new composite material.
