Get the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted with veneers. Learn more about the different types of veneers available and how they work to give you a dazzling grin.
Dental procedures are daunting and can be uncomfortable for some – but that does not mean that all procedures are tedious. And it certainly doesn’t mean you must live with poor dental health. Dental problems like chipped, cracked, or discolored teeth can be fixed with the help of veneers. Most people shy away from veneers because they don’t know enough about them.
Veneers are an efficient solution to improving the appearance of your teeth. The procedure is cosmetic, quick, and long-lasting. This article will discuss veneers, the different types of veneers, and their unique characteristics.
What are Veneers?
Dental veneers are custom-made coverings or shells bound to your natural teeth to protect them and improve the appearance of your smile. Applying veneers is a cosmetic procedure that helps correct aesthetic problems like chipped, broken, stained, gapped, or discolored teeth.
Your orthodontist measures your teeth to get the right size, and the veneers are customized to fit your mouth. Veneers look and function just like your natural teeth. Depending on the complexity of your case, the doctor will suggest the best type and material of veneer teeth for you. Usually, veneers are bound to the front eight teeth. And during the application procedure, the enamel on your natural teeth will be ground down to make room for placement.
Types of Veneers
Depending on your teeth, the need for veneers, and your personal preference, the orthodontist will help you choose the best type of veneers for yourself. Here is a look at the different types of veneer teeth available –
- Porcelain Veneers – Traditionally, all veneer teeth were made of porcelain. Porcelain is a strong material that can be shaped to precisely fit your mouth. The veneers are designed to last for a couple of decades, at least. But it also depends on care and maintenance. There are four sub-types of porcelain veneers –
- Stacked Ceramic – Hand poured into a customized mould. It mimics natural teeth’ colour, shape, and transparency to offer the most authentic finish.
- Pressed Ceramic – Veneers made of pressed ceramic are thick and durable. But to fit them into your mouth, the dentist must remove a deeper layer of enamel from your natural teeth.
- Lithium Disilicate – These veneers are known for their durability and are recommended to patients with an uncontrollable tendency to grind their teeth when asleep.
- Zirconia – Recommended for protecting broken or damaged teeth. Zirconia offers the greatest resistance to breakage.
- Composite Veneers – Compared to porcelain, teeth made of composite resin are an economical option. These veneers are made of composite resin, an initiator, a coupling agent, and a filler. Your dentist will perform a special preparatory procedure on your teeth before attaching composite resin veneers to your teeth.
- Lumineers – Lumineers are thin yet strong veneer teeth that offer a less invasive solution and take less time to apply. The dentist only has to remove a small section of the enamel in a process called’ etching’. They are also known as no-prep veneers, DURAthin, or Vivaneers.
- Palatal Veneers – Palatal veneers are also lingual veneers or palatal on lays. These veneer teeth are recommended to support and restore damage to anterior teeth. Usually palatal veneers are used to secure teeth that have been damaged by dental erosion or other problems.
- Temporary Veneers – Temporary or Snap-On veneers are fixed as a temporary solution until the permanent veneers are prepared for your teeth. These veneer teeth are made of flexible resin and can be removed from your teeth. Instant veneers and customized clip-on veneers are among the most popular temporary veneers.
How to Properly Take Care of Veneers
Aftercare of your veneers is very important. Just like natural teeth, veneers need to be taken care of properly in order to keep them looking their best. Here’s a quick guide to help you get the most out of your veneers
- Brush regularly – Brush your veneers at least twice a day with a non-abrasive toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. This will help keep plaque away from the surface of the veneer and reduce staining. Be sure to use gentle strokes and never scrub too hard as this can damage the enamel.
- Floss daily. Flossing is just as important for keeping your veneers healthy as it is for natural teeth. Flossing removes bacteria that regular brushing can’t reach, so flossing will help keep your gums healthy and prevent gum disease which can damage both real teeth and veneers alike.
- Avoid acidic foods. Acidic foods like citrus fruits, tomatoes and vinegar can slowly erode the enamel on your veneers over time, making them more prone to staining and discoloration. Take special care when consuming these types of foods or drinks by rinsing with water after consumption or using straws if drinking something highly acidic.
- Don’t forget about dental visits. Regular checkups are an essential part of taking care of any kind of tooth—both real and artificial ones! Professional cleanings will keep your teeth free from plaque buildup that brushing alone cannot remove, ensuring that your smile stays healthy for years to come.
- Keep up with good oral hygiene overall. It’s also important not to forget about taking care of all parts of your mouth when you have veneers—not just brushing, but also regular dental visits, fluoride treatments if recommended by your dentist, etc! Keeping up with good oral hygiene overall will ensure that both real teeth and veneers stay healthy in the long run.
In Conclusion
Veneers are helpful not just for improving your smile but also for protecting teeth that are damaged and sensitive. Teeth broken by accident or eroded by decay can expose sensitive tissues and nerves that cause acute pain. Using a durable covering of veneer teeth helps restore and protect these teeth from causing pain and further damage.
Besides, stained, broken, or cracked teeth can reduce your self-confidence, as you may not like how your smile looks. Using veneer teeth will improve the appearance of your smile and give you new confidence in yourself and your teeth!
