A bright and attractive smile creates an unbeatable first impression. Without saying a single word, your smile can convey self-confidence and optimism.

Fortunately, advances in cosmetic dentistry now allow the vast majority of people to benefit from different procedures. All of these treatments’ objective is to help make your teeth and smile look better.

Having a beautiful denture with a perfect smile is anyone’s fantasy, and making it happen is possible with dental veneers, a painless aesthetic treatment that guarantees a luminous smile. Dental veneers are a viable solution to help you achieve the look you wish.

Veneers are thin, custom-made covers that adhere to the front surface of teeth to improve aesthetics. Dental veneers help you obtain a natural look, change in tooth color, size, or length.

When are Dental Veneers Required?

• Presence of stained or darkened teeth that may be caused by fluorosis, tetracycline, or root canal treatment.
• Fractured teeth
• Chipped or misaligned teeth
• Modify teeth shape, size, or color.
• Diastema closure (gaps between teeth)
• Enamel loss by erosion

Before you get veneers, teeth and gums must be healthy. You must be aware that the dental preparation is irreversible, and in some cases, veneers are not the right option for patients who grind their teeth because they would chip or break.

Types Of Materials For Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are either composed of porcelain or resin composite material. The dental professional is the one who will determine which is the best material for you.

• Porcelain: They are strong and long-lasting, have a natural-looking surface, and the material doesn’t stain.

• Resin composite: These restorations may need fewer visits to the dentist; they cost less than porcelain veneers and are easy to fix if damaged. Resin composite is not as strong and wear-resistant as porcelain.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both types of veneer materials. It is essential to consider your budget and the severity of your case when it comes to material selection.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are thin laminate shells that cover the frontal view of teeth. It is an aesthetic technique that allows you to have perfect teeth with a non-invasive procedure. Porcelain veneers are custom-made, the color of the original tooth is analyzed and checked so that porcelain veneers are as identical as possible.

Once the dentist cements the veneers in the oral cavity, they will hide any defect of the original teeth.

Procedure For Porcelain Veneers

Phase 1: Diagnosis and Smile Design

In this phase, the dental professional will take a dental impression to perform a Smile Design and make a treatment plan based on the patient’s expectations and needs.

Phase 2: Mock-up

The dental impression will be sent to the dental laboratory to custom-make the teeth with the desired shape. The dentist will later perform an aesthetic test called Mock-Up, which will be the prototype of the future restorations. Its objective is to show and evaluate the result before completing the treatment.

Phase 3: Procedure

If the patient agrees with the Mock-up, the dentist will proceed to remove a small amount of enamel from the teeth (if necessary). The dentist will take a new dental impression, and he/she will send it to the dental laboratory for the custom-made elaboration of the final restorations.

The dentist may place temporary veneers; these are usually made of a resinous material.

Phase 4: Cementation

Once the final veneers are ready, the dentist will try the veneers in the patient’s teeth to check fit and shape.

After making sure everything is perfect, the dental professional will bond the veneers to the dental structure with a highly resistant cement.

Advantages of Veneers Treatment

• Porcelain veneers offer the most natural tooth-like results.
• Minimally invasive treatment
• Highly resistant material
• Excellent durability
• Can last between 10-15 years
• Stain-resistant

Disadvantages of Veneers Treatment

• More expensive than composite veneers
• Tooth preparation can be a little more invasive than that with composite veneers.
• Sometimes they will require several visits before cementation.

Composite Veneers

Composite veneers are a dental aesthetic treatment; they are a thin layer of resin composite that adheres to the dental surface. They are made directly on the teeth themselves, applying the material on its front surface and shaping it until the desired results are fulfilled.

It is a cost-efficient treatment compared to porcelain veneers. It is necessary to visit the dental office every 6 to 12 months for regular checkups and professional dental cleanings.

The procedure lasts approximately one to two appointments.

Procedure For Composite Veneers

Phase 1: Diagnosis and Smile Design

In this phase, the dentist will take a dental impression to perform a Smile Design and make a treatment plan based on the patient’s expectations and needs.

Phase 2: Mock-up

The dental impression is sent to the laboratory to make the teeth with the desired shape, to perform an aesthetic test called Mock-Up which will be the prototype of the future restorations, its objective is to show and evaluate the result before treatment completion.

Phase 3: Procedure

The dentist will perform a minimal preparation of the teeth (sometimes this is not necessary). He/she will build the veneers directly on each tooth by applying the resin composite and shaping it until the desired results.

This material allows us to correct the dental structure, achieving a natural appearance, and improving the aesthetics of the smile.

You can suggest changes until you achieve the result that best suits your needs.

Advantages of Veneers Treatment

• Less expensive than porcelain veneers
• Immediate results
• Reversibility, they can be easily removed or reshaped if necessary
• Minimally invasive treatment

Disadvantages of Treatment

• Composite veneers last only half as long as porcelain, from 5-7 years.
• More susceptible to staining and discoloration
• Not as strong and wear-resistant as porcelain

The only way to determine which is the best treatment option for you is to speak with your dental professional. If you are looking for the most cost-effective solution, then composite veneers would probably be a good option. But if you are looking for the most natural and durable aesthetic treatment, porcelain veneers would be the best option.

Both treatments offer excellent results, and you will have the smile of your dreams!

Postoperative Instructions

After cementation of porcelain veneers or resin composite veneers, it may take a few days to get used to your new smile. You must take special care for the first three days after the procedure:

1. Brush three times a day
2. Floss at least once a day
3. Avoid any extremely hot or cold beverages
4. Rinse with mouthwash or saltwater at least once a day
5. Avoid eating any hard food or biting on hard objects
6. If discomfort or pain arises, please inform your dentist
7. It would be best if you visited the dental office twice a year

Post-Treatment Care

1. Maintain a good oral hygiene
2. Avoid biting and chewing on hard objects.
3. Inform your dentist if you feel any interference when you bite or eat.
4. If you grind or clench your teeth, it is necessary to use a dental guard.
5. It is essential to visit your dental professional for regular follow-up checkups.

Do’s and Don’ts for veneers

Do’s

1. Do maintain good oral hygiene
2. Do wear your occlusal mouthguard every night, in case you clench or grind your teeth.
3. Do have a certified dentist install the veneers
4. Do visit your dentist regularly

Don’ts

1. Don’t eat any hard foods
2. Don’t drink anything that may stain your teeth
3. Don’t chew on hard objects like pencils, fingernails, ice, etc.
4. Don’t smoke excessively.

Myths About Veneers Treatment

Myth #1: Veneers look too white

False. Many patients worry that others may notice that their smile is artificial. Today, this is not a problem as veneers are made of unique materials that make them look like natural teeth. In this way, veneers fit perfectly with the rest of the teeth, and a uniform and beautiful smile remains.

The patient can choose what shade he/she wants in their veneers so that veneers have the same appearance as the rest of the teeth.

Myth #2: Veneers can easily fall off from teeth

False. As long as the protocols are satisfactorily followed, veneers won’t fall off easily. It would be best if you looked for a certified specialist in aesthetic dentistry since skill and knowledge are essential for the procedure’s success.

Myth #3: Treatment with dental veneers is only for young people.

False. Cosmetic interventions can be performed at any age, as long as the patient’s teeth are in excellent condition.

Myth #4: I will feel pain and dental sensitivity, veneers may also cause infections

It is not common to experience dental sensitivity or other pain before, during, or after the process of dental veneers. Dental veneers won’t generate infection, although it is essential to have an excellent dental hygiene routine to maintain a healthy and prettier smile.

Myth #5: Veneers wear the dental enamel

Dental veneers are very conservative with the original tooth structure. In some cases, it is necessary to carry out minimal preparation on the enamel, but it is not always needed and does not carry significant risks for the patient. It is best to assess with a dentist specialist if dental preparation is required, and if it will have any other consequences on the patient’s oral health.

Myth #6: Any dentist can place dental veneers

Absolutely no. It must always be a specialist in Cosmetic or Aesthetic dentistry who performs this treatment. Only a specialist in dental veneers can master all of the factors that come into play to accomplish a perfect result.

Myth #7: Porcelain veneers are fragile and break

False. Although porcelain veneers can be ultra-thin, they are made of a very resistant material, which is ceramic; in fact, its resistance is almost equal or even superior to that of the natural tooth.

Myth #8: Veneers change color

Porcelain dental veneers do NOT change color because this type of material is non-porous and resembles glass. On the other hand, resin composite veneers, whose characteristics are entirely different from porcelain, can change their tone over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can anyone get dental veneers?

Not everyone is the right candidate for the treatment with dental veneers. In patients who clench their teeth at night, dental veneers are not an option because they can detach or fracture. In people with worn or little enamel, veneers may not adhere well, and they will eventually fall off. In some other cases, it is necessary to place orthodontics before any prosthetic treatment, for example, in patients with crowded teeth. Dental veneers are also not recommended in patients with gum disease and dental mobility because they won’t look right.

In cases of patients with poor oral hygiene, veneers can increase plaque retention.

Either way, the professional will study each patient’s specific case.

How long do veneers last?

It will depend on the material, restorative process, and patient’s compliance. The average duration of porcelain veneers is usually between 10 to 15 years and with reasonable care, even longer. The average duration of composite veneers is from 5 to 7 years. After this period, you may need to replace your veneers.

What is the difference between a porcelain veneer and a composite veneer?

1. Porcelain veneers are costlier than composite veneers
2. Porcelain veneers require less maintenance and last longer.
3. Porcelain veneers do not stain; composite veneers may stain with dark drinks and foods.
4. Composite veneers require fewer visits to the dentist.
5. Porcelain veneers last longer than composite veneers.
6. Composite veneers are easy to replace.
7. Composite veneers cost-effective, but they have a higher risk of fracture.

Is it necessary to prepare the teeth for placing porcelain or composite veneers?

Dental preparation is necessary in some cases. These preparations are minimally invasive and will also depend on the dental condition. Sometimes it is possible to cement veneers without preparing the dental structure. The dental professional is the one who will evaluate the possibility of prep or no-prep veneers.