Veneers
What are veneers?
Veneers fall under the category of cosmetic dentistry although their use can be indicated in certain situations involving extensive decay or trauma. Veneers are a thin outer shell of porcelain or composite materials that is bonded to the teeth to cover the outer surface of the teeth. They are meant to cosmetically correct the shape and color of teeth to improve esthetics. The most common requests for a veneer procedure are congenitally malformed teeth, fractured teeth from trauma, spacing (diastemas) between teeth, or just a stained/dark appearance of the teeth.
What are they made of?
The most common materials for veneers are porcelain and composite resin.
What is the procedure?
There are two methods for veneer therapy: Indirect and Direct.
An indirect veneer procedure involves the use of a dental laboratory to fabricate the final prosthesis or veneer(s). Records such as digital photographs and preliminary models are used to design a “blueprint” or esthetic mock up which will guide the clinician during the preparation and provisional stage of treatment. Once the esthetic mock up and a desired shade is approved by the patient, the teeth are prepared using a guide to minimize the amount of tooth structure that has to be removed to make room for the porcelain veneer. Often this may amount to as little as ½ mm or more depending on the original tooth position and the desired tooth position. In some cases, the procedure is purely additive and no preparation is involved. The preparations are completed, an impression is taken, provisionals are fabricated and the final records are sent to the dental laboratory. Typical time for laboratory turnaround is about 2-3 weeks. The patient is then scheduled for the delivery (insertion, approval, and bonding) appointment which can generally be about 1 hour in duration. Many times a hard acrylic night guard is fabricated to protect the veneers from fracturing at night from potential parafunctional habits such as nocturnal clinching and grinding.
Another method of veneer therapy involves a direct technique. The material used to accomplish this is composite resin. Many times the “work up” is very similar as well as the preparation of the teeth. However, once prepared, the teeth are restored immediately by bonding composite resin to the prepared teeth, finished and polished. There is no provisional (temporary) stage, impression or dental laboratory component.
How long do they last?
The life of veneers depends on the conditions in the mouth and the habits of the patient. Under the best conditions, veneers can last 10 years or more. Veneers do NOT protect teeth from decay.
Are there alternatives?
If the patient is happy with the shape and position of the teeth, but would like to have whiter teeth, teeth whitening is a better option. If the position of the teeth or spacing is an issue, Orthodontics (I.e. conventional braces or Invisalign) can be a better alternative to veneers.
Veneers fall under the category of cosmetic dentistry although their use can be indicated in certain situations involving extensive decay or trauma. Veneers are a thin outer shell of porcelain or composite materials that is bonded to the teeth to cover the outer surface of the teeth. They are meant to cosmetically correct the shape and color of teeth to improve esthetics. The most common requests for a veneer procedure are congenitally malformed teeth, fractured teeth from trauma, spacing (diastemas) between teeth, or just a stained/dark appearance of the teeth.
The most common materials for veneers are porcelain and composite resin.
What is the procedure?
There are two methods for veneer therapy: Indirect and Direct.
An indirect veneer procedure involves the use of a dental laboratory to fabricate the final prosthesis or veneer(s). Records such as digital photographs and preliminary models are used to design a “blueprint” or esthetic mock up which will guide the clinician during the preparation and provisional stage of treatment. Once the esthetic mock up and a desired shade is approved by the patient, the teeth are prepared using a guide to minimize the amount of tooth structure that has to be removed to make room for the porcelain veneer. Often this may amount to as little as ½ mm or more depending on the original tooth position and the desired tooth position. In some cases, the procedure is purely additive and no preparation is involved. The preparations are completed, an impression is taken, provisionals are fabricated and the final records are sent to the dental laboratory. Typical time for laboratory turnaround is about 2-3 weeks. The patient is then scheduled for the delivery (insertion, approval, and bonding) appointment which can generally be about 1 hour in duration. Many times a hard acrylic night guard is fabricated to protect the veneers from fracturing at night from potential parafunctional habits such as nocturnal clinching and grinding.
Another method of veneer therapy involves a direct technique. The material used to accomplish this is composite resin. Many times the “work up” is very similar as well as the preparation of the teeth. However, once prepared, the teeth are restored immediately by bonding composite resin to the prepared teeth, finished and polished. There is no provisional (temporary) stage, impression or dental laboratory component.
How long do they last?
The life of veneers depends on the conditions in the mouth and the habits of the patient. Under the best conditions, veneers can last 10 years or more. Veneers do NOT protect teeth from decay.
Are there alternatives?
If the patient is happy with the shape and position of the teeth, but would like to have whiter teeth, teeth whitening is a better option. If the position of the teeth or spacing is an issue, Orthodontics (I.e. conventional braces or Invisalign) can be a better alternative to veneers.
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Veneers in Greenwood SC - Secrets to long-lasting veneers in Greenwood SC
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Greenwood, South Carolina 29646
Greenwood, South Carolina 29646
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