Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are restorative materials that are used to improve the cosmetic appearance of teeth which are stained, discolored, worn down, chipped or broken. Basically, a veneer is an extremely thin, custom-made shell that is bonded to the front of a tooth to conceal cosmetic damage to the tooth. Porcelain veneers can be applied to misaligned and uneven teeth as well as to irregularly shaped teeth and to teeth with unusually wide gaps between them.
The Procedure for Getting a Porcelain Veneer
Getting a veneer put in place usually requires multiple trips to the dentist. The first step involves a thorough examination of the teeth by the dentist, who will then determine whether veneers are an appropriate choice. The second phase involves preparing the tooth or teeth for a veneer. The process involves removing a thin layer of enamel from the teeth that will receive veneers. Sometimes, a local anesthetic or oral sedation is used to minimize discomfort to the patient during this process. Once the tooth has been prepared, the dentist makes a model of it, and sends it to a laboratory, which then uses the model to construct the veneer.
Permanent Bonding
Porcelain veneers are permanently bonded into place using a dental adhesive. The surface of the tooth that is to receive the veneer is thoroughly cleaned and etched. Etching is a process in which the surface of the tooth is gently roughened up so as to enable stronger bonding. Once the veneer has been put in place over the tooth, it is exposed to a special light which causes the adhesive to dry up quickly and cement the veneer in place.
Advantages of Porcelain Veneers
There are several benefits to using porcelain veneers. One of the biggest is that such veneers have the appearance of natural teeth, and can be easily colored to match the patient’s teeth. They are also considerably more stain-resistant that other materials such as composite resin. Veneers, in general, also offer an easier option to teeth restoration than crowns.
Disadvantages of Porcelain Veneers
However, such veneers are not for everyone. Those with active gum disease or with unhealthy teeth do not make good candidates for veneers. Similarly, those who grind their teeth excessively are not suitable candidates because the grinding could end up dislodging the veneer. Veneers made of porcelain are also somewhat brittle and can chip or crack relatively easily.
With good care, porcelain veneers can last for up to 6 years, but will need to be replaced soon after that.