Veneers
A Veneer is a custom-made thin layer of material covering the outer part of a tooth. Veneers are Mostly used on frontal teeth as cosmetic treatment, to alter their colour appearance and shape. Veneers are similar to crowns but
the main difference is that the dentist removes less tooth structure, usually only the facial part or the
sides as well.
Do I need a Veneer?
Well, Veneers is a great solution for patients who want a change in the appearance of their smile.
Veneers can alter the shape, shade and cosmetically correct slight misalignments of your dental arch, but they do have limitations. For instance, if you have quite crowded teeth, or big gaps, Veneers is not the best option and you should consider Orthodontics. Generally, we urge patients to firstly seek a non-invasive treatment solution (orthodontics) if they have healthy but misaligned teeth, before considering veneers.
Direct Veneers (Bonding)
With direct veneers the dentist prepares the teeth and completes the treatment in one appointment. After the teeth are prepared, the dentist applies a thin layer of resin Composite on the teeth and sculpts it to achieve the desired shape and form. Each tooth is individually sculpted and then cured to harden the composite which is now bonded on the enamel (or dentin).
After the composite is cured, the dentist makes specific detailed adjustments and polishes the surface. The whole procedure is completed in one appointment and without any discomfort.
Indirect Veneers (Porcelain)
Indirect Veneers are custom made shells, usually from porcelain or porcelain like materials, which are bonded on your teeth. For this type of veneers two appointments or more are required in order for the treatment to be completed. The dentist has to prepare your teeth at the first visit, take a precise impression and send it to the lab. The laboratory then precisely fabricates the Veneers from high quality porcelain, which look exactly as a natural tooth.
At the second visit the dentist checks, fits and bonds the Veneers. All procedures again, are completed without any discomfort.
Pros & Cons of Direct Veneers
The pros of Direct Composite Veneers are:
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Less time/appointments to make.
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Easier to repair, when needed.
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Inexpensive compared to Porcelain Veneers.
The cons of Direct Composite Veneers are:
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They can stain if your diet contains a lot of coffee, tea etc.
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They a have shorter lifespan than Porcelain Veneers and require maintenance (e.g. re-polishing, Repairs).
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Not as strong as Porcelain Veneers.
Pros & Cons of Indirect Veneers
The Pros of Porcelain Veneers are :
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Exceptional aesthetics of the Porcelain.
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The Porcelain does not stain. No wear from brushing.
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By proper bonding, Porcelain Veneers are as strong as a crown.
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Minimum Maintenance required.
The cons of Porcelain Veneers are :
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The Price. Porcelain Veneers are more expensive than Composite Veneers, as they require more appointments and Laboratory work.
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More difficult to repair.
E-max Veneers
E-max is a lithium disilicate glass ceramic that has optimised translucency, durability and strength. This material is used widely in recent years for cosmetic and functional restorations. These veneers can be fabricated using a computer program at the laboratory.
The computer assisted making of these Veneers further enhances the predictability and accurate fit of the restoration.
The final result is a highly aesthetic Veneer with remarkable detail and precise fit.