Healthy Living

What Are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers give patients a beautiful smile. They are very thin, porcelain layers attached to the front of the teeth. Dental veneers are a good solution for the correction of any defects in the position, color, or shape of the teeth.

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Dental veneers can be made with direct or indirect composites. Dental veneers with direct composites are applied directly to the teeth, and then are shaped by the dentist. Dental veneers with indirect composites are made in the laboratory and then cemented to the teeth.

Before the dental veneers are attached to the teeth, the teeth need to be shaved in order for them not to be thicker once the dental veneers are placed. Tooth shaving is permanent and irreversible, so patients who want to have dental veneers should be sure about their decision.

Porcelain veneers only last for about 10 years.

When are dental veneers recommended?

Dental veneers are recommended in the following cases:

Uneven teeth
Chipped teeth
Cracked teeth
Discolored teeth
Misaligned teeth
Tooth decay
Worn tooth enamel

How are dental veneers implanted?

First, the teeth need to undergo specific preparations before veneers can be placed on them. Once the teeth are shaved down and reduced in size, dental impressions are made. These dental impressions are used to create custom-made veneers in the laboratory. Once the dental veneers are created, the dentist will attach them to the teeth.

Different forms and materials of dental veneers exist. Dental veneers can be made of a direct or indirect composites, a snap on smile, luminaire, or porcelain.

What to expect after dental veneers

Patients who have decided to have dental veneers should be careful when eating solid food. Night guards are sometimes recommended in order to protect the dental veneers, especially for patients who grind their teeth at night.

A certain level of discomfort is normal after having dental veneers. Patients may feel some discomfort during the preparation phase when the tooth is getting prepared for the dental veneer. However, this procedure usually causes no pain. If after the dental veneers are fitted, patients experience some pain, this is a sign that the bite needs to be adjusted.