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What Are Veneers?
For many, veneers are the best option to achieve that perfect smile you’ve always wanted. Even if you’ve heard of veneers before (and many have) you may not know exactly what they are —and may not have realized that there are in fact different types of veneers to choose from.
Veneers can change the shape, size and color of teeth – literally your entire smile – in a conservative, healthy way.
This chapter discusses every veneer type, how they work, and which might be the best choice for you.
What Are Dental Veneers?
Let’s start with a definition from WebMD:“veneers are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve your appearance. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their color, shape, size, or length”
To summarize, veneers are contact-lens thin customized covers made specifically for your teeth, smile, and bite. This allows veneers to give you your personalized dream smile!
Traditional porcelain veneers require removing about 1- 1.5 mm of tooth enamel on the front of the tooth to make space for the porcelain material. This may not seem like much, but it’s nearly all the enamel on the surface of the tooth. That’s why we provide natural veneers instead.
What Are Natural Dental Veneers?
Natural veneers are more conservative.
The procedure minimizes (or even eliminates) the need to remove any natural tooth structure in order to make room for the veneer.
Minimizing the amount of tooth that is removed helps minimize sensitivity, and protects and preserves the health of the tooth. long term. It also makes the procedure reversible at times. These ultra-thin veneers look like enamel, and are durable and look beautiful.
In many cases, we can achieve a very natural look without any removal of the underlying tooth at all!
Actual Patient of Total Care Dental With Natural Veneers
What is the Process for Getting Veneers?
The system we have developed for designing and creating a new smile is exactly the same every time. That’s how we ensure consistent, safe, and satisfying results. There are essentially three steps completed in 3 easy appointments: design, preparation, and cementation.
Appointment 1, Design – During this first appointment, we will take digital scans of the teeth, take photographs, take x-rays of the teeth, make measurements, and discuss your vision for your new smile. We then work with our master ceramist to pre-design your perfect smile.
Appointment 2, Preparation – The second step involves preparing the teeth and placing the temporary veneers. We remove any old filling material, existing veneers, or tooth decay that may be present. We also make room for the veneers themselves. The temporary veneers, which are based on the design, are then placed on the teeth. These temporary veneers will be worn for about three weeks while the porcelain veneers are being custom crafted. This allows time to “test drive” your new smile. Any changes or tweaks can be made in these temporary veneers.
Appointment 3, Cementation – The final step is the cementation of the porcelain veneers. During this third appointment, the temporary veneers are removed, the custom natural veneers are tried in and you get to check them out, they are then bonded into place using biocompatible dental cement. A special ultraviolet light is used to harden this cement quickly.
As you can see, the final results that can come from well-planned, natural cosmetic veneers are life changing!
Actual patient with natural cosmetic veneers at Total Care Dental
What About Composite Veneers?
Composite veneers are similar to porcelain veneers, but instead of bonding thin layers of porcelain to the teeth, we bond tooth-colored filling material directly to the teeth. This helps create the ideal shape and color of the teeth in one appointment.
Composite resin veneers have several advantages and some drawbacks compared to porcelain veneers. They are a very conservative option, can easily be repaired over time, and can look very natural. The downsides? They may not last as long as porcelain veneers and can pick up stain.
Best of all, the process is often done without any needed adjustment of the underlying tooth.
Composite veneers are a very conservative option, can easily be repaired over time, and end up looking very natural. They do, however, require significant skill on the part of the dentist…
Make sure you ask to see examples of composite veneer cases done by the dentist if you’re considering this option.
Patient at Total Care Dental who had composite veneers
What is Composite Bonding?
There are cases where small amounts of tooth-colored filling material can be bonded onto the teeth to repair a chipped tooth, replace discolored fillings, idealize contours, close gaps between the teeth, or improve color.
For those looking for a fast veneer solution, composite bonding is usually done in one appointment.
What Are My Alternatives to Veneers?
Veneers can be a great solution in many areas, but there are still other options that may be better suited to your situation, like:
Orthodontics (braces or Invisalign)
Teeth whitening
Composite Bonding
White Spot Removal
Perhaps you have pretty teeth that are in good condition—they’re just in the wrong position. In this case, moving the teeth into the proper position with braces or clear aligner trays may be a better (and more conservative) option. Braces or clear aligner trays will keep the most natural look throughout and minimize maintenance in the future.
Teeth whitening can also make an otherwise dull smile appear clean, fresh, and beautiful. Seemingly small changes can have a dramatic effect on how you feel about your smile.
No-prep veneers are a less invasive alternative to traditional veneers, requiring less enamel removal. However, they still require some enamel removal and are not suitable for everyone.
HELPFUL HINT: White spots can also be eliminated by utilizing a technique that involves no drilling or filling material at all!
When it comes to achieving that perfect smile, there are so many non-invasive and natural possibilities out there…
Patient at Total Care Dental who had white spot removal and some minor cosmetic bonding procedures
Now that we’ve discussed veneers and other cosmetic dental procedures, you’re probably wondering “How much is this all going to cost me?”
In Chapter 3, we’ll answer that question by giving you a strong idea of how much natural cosmetic dentistry costs depending on your particular situation. Click below to learn more.
Schedule Your New Patient Exam With Total Care Dental & Wellness
With a comprehensive exam, you’ll receive:
- A low dose cone beam 3d Dental Xray (CBCT)
- Tooth Xrays
- Dental photographs
- A comprehensive gum exam with an intraoral scan
- A comprehensive oral exam by a Total Care Doctor
- Jaw joint exam
- Oxygen, Sleep, and Airway Evaluation
You will leave the appointment with a report of findings and treatment recommendations from your doctor and care coordinator. Finances, scheduling, and other instructions will also be provided.
