Veneers
In the Veneer Future
Veneers can drastically enhance the quality of your smile. These custom-designed shells fit perfectly over the surface of your teeth, covering up cracks, chips, stains, and other imperfections.
Essentially, veneers act as a shield covering the front of your teeth and are constructed from composite or porcelain materials.
Enhance the Look of Your Smile
If you want to improve your teeth’s overall appearance, then veneers could be right for you. Working as cosmetic dental restoration, they can help cover up issues like:
- Gaps or spaces between teeth
- Stains that show no improvement with whitening
- Any teeth that may be too small or not fully grown
- Teeth that are misshapen or out of place
If you have cavities, symptoms of gum disease, or significant oral health issues, you must fix them before getting veneers, as placing them with these conditions will result in significant damage and complications.
There Are 2 Different Types
There are two options if you’re looking at getting veneers for your teeth:
- Composite: will cover mild cosmetic problems with tooth-coloured composite resin, which is made from the same material as dental bonding.
- Porcelain: will camouflage several different aesthetic issues and are custom-made to perfectly fit your teeth.
Veneers Can Last Up To 15 Years
The lifespan of your veneers depends on the material used and how well you care for them. With proper care, porcelain veneers can last 10 to 15 years or longer, while composite veneers typically last four to eight years. Regular dental checkups, good oral hygiene, and avoiding habits such as biting hard objects can help extend the lifespan of your veneers.
Most traditional veneers are permanent and irreversible, as placing them usually involves removing some tooth enamel. Over time, your veneers may require repair or replacement due to chipping, wear, discoloration, or other damage.
Placement is Pain Free
During the preparation of your teeth and the placement of your veneers, you should experience.little to no pain, as local anesthesia can be used when needed. However, your teeth may feel sensitive, and your gums may experience some tenderness for a few days after the procedure. It can take one to two weeks to fully adjust to the feel of your new veneers.
Depending on your bite and how the veneers fit, your dentist may need to make minor adjustments. Your teeth may initially feel slightly different or bulky as you get used to your new smile. These sensations are normal and temporary.
Veneers are Perfectly Safe
Your natural teeth remain healthy with properly placed and maintained dental veneers. However, traditional porcelain veneers usually require some tooth enamel to be removed before placement. Minimal-prep and no-prep veneers require little or no enamel removal, depending on your teeth’s position, size, and shape, your bite, and your desired results. Your dentist can assess whether these options are suitable for you.
That said, it’s still possible for the natural tooth underneath your veneers to decay if not properly taken care of.Regular brushing and flossing, along with routine dental checkups, can help protect your teeth and keep your smile healthy for years to come.
What Are the Steps?
So, how are veneers put in? Before we get to the placement steps, a few things must happen in the prepping stages.
Before Placement:
- Your dentist will examine your teeth and gums for cavities or signs of gum disease to determine whether you are a suitable candidate for dental veneers.
- If significant changes to the shape or appearance of your teeth are planned, your dentist may create a dental wax-up to preview the proposed results and help ensure you are happy with the shape of your new smile.
- Then your dentist will prepare your teeth by removing the necessary amount of tooth enamel, depending on the type of veneers and your individual needs. Some minimal-prep and no-prep veneers may require little or no enamel removal.
- For porcelain veneers, your dentist will take dental impressions or digital scans to create custom veneers that fit your teeth.
- A dental laboratory typically takes 1-2 weeks to fabricate your custom porcelain veneers. Your placement appointment will be scheduled once they are ready.
- If needed, your dentist may place temporary veneers to protect your prepared teeth while your permanent veneers are being made.
Placement of Veneers
- Once your custom-made veneers arrive, your dentist will check their shape, colour, and fit to ensure they complement your natural teeth and meet your expectations.
- Once you and your dentist are satified with the fit and appearnce, , dental cement permanently bonds your veneers to your natural teeth.
- After placing them, your dentist will check your bite and make any necessary adjustments for a better fit.
- There is no recovery time after placement. Once the anesthesia has worn off, you can return to regular activity, including eating and drinking.
Aren’t Veneers the Same as Crowns?
Well, the answer is no, they’re much different. a porcelain veneer only covers the front side of your tooth, whereas a crown will cover most or all of the visible portion of the tooth.
The main difference is their purpose. Veneers are primarily a cosmetic treatment designed to improve the appearance of your teeth by changing their colour, shape, or size. While they can provide some support to the tooth surface, they are not intended to restore significantly weakened or damaged teeth. In contrast, a dental crown covers and protects a damaged or weakened tooth, helping restore its strength, function, and stability.
Think of veneers as a makeover for your smile, while a crown is more like a protective covering that restores a tooth’s appearance and function.
Veneers Could Cost Over $900 per Tooth
In Alberta, porcelain veneers typically cost around $1,200 to $1,600 per tooth, including the dental laboratory fee. Porcelain veneers are a popular choice for their natural appearance, stain resistance, and durability. Composite veneers are another option for enhancing your smile, with costs varying depending on the technique used and the extent of changes needed to improve the shape, size, or appearance of your teeth.
The total cost will depend on your individual treatment plan and the number of veneers you need. Your dentist can provide a personalized estimate and help you explore the options best suited to your smile and budget.
There’s No Extra Care Involved
Unlike some other dental procedures, your veneers do not require extra care. You should simply brush, floss, and visit your dentist regularly as you would without them, and everything should be fine.
Just like caring for your natural teeth, you should use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste
Porcelain veneers are durable and designed to withstand normal chewing forces. You can generally enjoy your usual foods. However, avoid biting down on extremely hard foods or objects, such as ice, hard candy, and nutshells, and never use your teeth to open bottles. These habits can place excessive stress on your veneers and increase the risk of chipping or damage.
Top 5 Benefits of Veneers
If you’re on the fence about getting veneers, here are the top 5 benefits:
- They can drastically improve the look of your smile
- They blend in exceptionally well with your natural teeth
- Veneers resist staining at a better rate than your natural enamel
- There is no added maintenance required
- Veneers can last up to 10-15 years
Some Things to Consider
Similar to thinking about the benefits of veneers, there are a few things worth considering before getting them:
- They do require some enamel to be removed from your natural teeth
- Most types aren’t reversible
- Although very rare, your veneers can fall off or become dislodged
If you’re considering enhancing the overall look of your smile with veneers, ensure you have all the information you need. The Edmonton team at ThirtyTwo Dental are experts in all types of veneer placements and can assist you in discovering the best option for you.
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