What Are the Different Types of Veneers and Which is Right For You?
Are you looking for ways to enhance your smile? During your research, you’ve most likely stumbled across veneers. Dental veneers are thin shells bonded to the front of your teeth to repair and enhance your smile. They are sturdy and long-lasting, look and feel like natural teeth, and instantly improve your smile. But with so many different types of veneers, which ones are right for your needs? Today, we will cover the different types of veneers for teeth and determine which type is the right option for you.
What Are Veneers?
Dental veneers are tooth-colored, ultra-thin shells that mimic the form of a real tooth. These shells are applied on the front surfaces of teeth by a cosmetic dentist to improve their appearance. When a person gets one of the more common types of veneers, they typically go through the following steps:
The teeth with superficial faults are prepared after the dentist analyzes the patient and determines their suitability for veneers. The front and biting surfaces of each "problem" tooth are prepared by removing a small layer of enamel, creating room for the veneer. By grinding down through the enamel, it prevents the repaired tooth from becoming thicker and longer than the other teeth.
After that, the cosmetic dentist imprints the teeth and sends them to a dental lab for restoration. Based on the imprint, the lab fabricates the veneers. This process can take up to two weeks.
The dentist will schedule a second visit with the patient after receiving the veneer. Before prepping the tooth, the dentist uses a local anesthetic. They toughen the tooth's surface before applying the veneer and bonding the veneer to the tooth with dental cement. They then repeat the operation before placing the veneer in a future treatment. After the second procedure, the patient returns home with a bright, uniform smile.
Which is the Best Type of Veneers?
When deciding which type of veneers is best for you, you’ll usually be offered three different options. Veneers are manufactured out of porcelain or composite resin, which may require a lot of preparation. However, there are "no-prep" veneers implanted using an alternative technique.
Aside from the no-prep versions, all types of veneers will require grinding at the tooth structure past the enamel, enabling proper adhesion. However, it's important to note that this is an irreversible technique that can be uncomfortable and frequently requires using a local anesthetic.
Porcelain veneers
Porcelain veneers are tooth-shaped “covers” applied to the whole front surface of the teeth. They are often made of thin porcelain (as the name implies), although they can also be built of a composite material nowadays. Usually, a dentist will start by grinding your teeth down and then taking an imprint of them to create a mold. The mold will then be sent to a facility where they will create the porcelain veneer.
Composite resin veneers
Composite veneer types are a form of tooth-covering composed of composite resin, which is less invasive than its porcelain counterpart. The composite is placed on top of your natural teeth to help mold them into a more appealing shape. Because you don't have to cover the entire tooth with resin, composite veneers are perfect for correcting minor issues like tiny chips or fissures in the teeth.
No-prep veneers
With no-prep veneer types, teeth need to undergo less preparation with concentration entirely on the tooth's enamel for minimum removal and installation. It easily covers the front of the tooth without the need for a local anesthetic.
What Are the Pros of Getting Veneers?
No matter which of the different types of veneers you choose, each provides a variety of potential advantages. The wide range of benefits offered by veneers is the reason why they are one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry operations. Let’s look at a few of the biggest advantages of opting for veneers.
Veneers Serve Multi-purposes
The different types of dental veneers can assist with a variety of aesthetic and dental health issues, as well as treat numerous disorders at the same time:
Close gaps and spaces between teeth
Correct alignment
Improve the overall shape and look of a tooth
Whiten a smile by covering stained or discolored teeth
Repair chipped or broken teeth
Veneers are Extremely Durable
Dental veneers are also durable and long-lasting. They outlast standard composite fillings by several years. When you pick veneers, you can relax knowing that you’re getting money’s worth and that your new smile will last for years to come.
Veneers Offer an Additional Layer of Protection
One of the most significant benefits that veneers provide is the fact that they help protect the natural tooth underneath an additional layer. Essentially, veneers can act as a shield for your real teeth. For example, the dental veneers will directly touch the foods and beverages you consume rather than your real teeth. This protects your enamel and generally minimizes the risk of damage to your natural teeth.
Veneers are Easy to Maintain
Regardless of the types of veneers, teeth maintenance is the same: brush and floss them the same way you do the rest of your teeth. With adequate oral hygiene, your veneers can last over a decade.
Getting Veneers is a Simple Procedure
Veneers are a less intrusive procedure than many of the other dental repair alternatives available, such as receiving a crown. After the tooth's surface has been shaved down, each veneer overlay is adhered to the tooth using a specific cement. In order to get the most natural look and feel, the dentist may need to make minor modifications to the size or color of the veneers as they are placed on the teeth. Patients require little to no anesthetic for this treatment, and the effects are instantly noticeable when the veneers are bonded in place. From your first session to your last, the veneer procedure takes approximately four weeks on average.
What Are the Cons of Getting Veneers?
Nothing is perfect and as with anything in life, there are downsides to veneers. Let’s discuss some of the drawbacks of the various types of veneers you should be aware of before making a final decision.
Veneers are Prone to Damage
Veneers can chip and break are more likely to do so than crowns or fillings, which is one of their drawbacks. Biting down on tough surfaces carelessly can cause damage to the veneers, reducing their lifespan. We generally don’t recommend veneers for people who bite their nails, grind their teeth or chew ice/gum/etc. Chips and cracks shorten the life of the veneers and necessitate their replacement, which translates to more time and money spent on replacement procedures.
Dental Veneers Are Irreversible
To achieve a perfect smile with veneers and ensure they stay in place, your dentist will need to remove a very thin layer of tooth enamel in order to place porcelain veneers on your teeth (remember when we mentioned “grinding the enamel” earlier?). Without removing that thin layer of tooth enamel, the veneers won’t fit properly over the teeth, and your mouth will appear crowded. One of the drawbacks of dental veneers is that this removal of the enamel is permanent, meaning that veneers are not reversible. The tooth enamel will not regrow once it has been removed.
Veneers May Increase Tooth Sensitivity
One of the downsides of veneers is that they may not protect sensitive teeth from irritation to hot or cold drinks, nor specific types of foods. When the dentist removes a layer of tooth enamel to place a dental veneer, this increases your chances of developing sensitivity. However, the good news is that tooth sensitivity is typically minor and only lasts a short time, or does not occur at all. If you already have tooth sensitivity, veneers may not be right for you.
Start Your Journey to a Sparkling Smile
Nothing can cause you to lose confidence faster than the deterioration of your smile. After all, it’s the first thing people see when they meet you. At Gentry Dentistry, we understand how important it is to look and feel good about your oral health. Gentry Dentistry was built on the belief that high-quality dental care should be accessible and pain-free. That’s why we accept multiple forms of insurance, use leading-edge technology, and offer free consultations for new and existing patients. With nearly 20 years of experience, our Smile Makeover San Francisco offers both cosmetic and oral health treatments as part of an all-inclusive range of services. We also offer a personalized concierge experience for ultimate comfort and attention to your specific needs.
If you have questions and want to know which types of veneers would be best for you, request an appointment at contact@gentrydentistry.com or by phone at (415) 515-4694