Veneers are a layer of restorative material placed over a tooth surface to improve the aesthetics of a tooth or to protect a damaged tooth surface, resulting in whiter teeth.

Procedure Details

Porcelain veneers, often referred to as dental veneers or dental porcelain laminates, are thin porcelain surfaces bonded onto the front of natural teeth to make a cosmetic improvement in their appearance. Porcelain veneers are a good option for teeth that are discolored, worn, chipped, or misaligned. Bonding is the application of a composite resin to teeth to sculpt a more desired smile. Good candidates for bonding include patients with chipped teeth, teeth with a gap, or slightly misaligned teeth. Overlays (onlays) and inlays are composite resin, gold, or porcelain pieces created to replace a metal fillings or to fill holes in the cusp area of teeth. All of these procedures use tooth-colored materials to improve a patient's smile and overall appearance.

For veneers, your first appointment will involve minor contouring of your teeth and tooth reduction. An acidic etching gel will be applied to etch the surface of the teeth. This is important so the shape and size of the teeth is not altered when the veneers are affixed. A bite impression will be made and sent to a lab where your porcelain or composite veneers will be fabricated. If a temporary surface is required after etching, your dentist will accommodate you. However, this is not usually necessary. During your second visit, to ensure comfort, a local anesthetic will be administered before the veneers are bonded in place. A light will cure the cement, then trimming and polishing the veneers will complete the procedure. About one week after the placement of your veneers, you will return to your dentist for a treatment evaluation. This visit is extremely important because your dentist will evaluate the placement of the laminates and tissue response.

Bonding can correct gaps between teeth, chips, and other cosmetic dental problems. It involves a composite resin sculpted to mimic natural teeth. After the dentist contours and textures the natural teeth to receive treatment, a bonding agent will be placed on the teeth. Layers of a composite resin will then be applied and shaped into place. The resin will be cured with a light. The dentist will then smooth and polish the bonded teeth.

Inlays and overlays (onlays) require two appointments. Much like the first appointment for veneers, an imprint of the teeth is made during the initial appointment. A lab creates the inlays and overlays, and when they are ready, the dentist will affix them during the second appointment. Inlays and overlays can replace existing metal fillings or be used as new fillings.

Each of these procedures offers a natural, yet cosmetically improved, appearance. Your smile and your confidence will be enhanced by veneers, bonding, inlays, and overlays.

Risks and Side Effects

Bonding requires only one appointment that lasts about 1 to 2 hours. Veneers, overlays, and inlays usually take at least 2 appointments. Each appointment will vary based on the amount of alteration being done.

A local anesthetic may be used for veneers, but generally, there is no pain associated with any of these procedures. Patients can return to normal activities the day of their procedure. Some sensitivity to hot and cold may be experienced, but it should dissipate in a few weeks.

Post Operative Care

Veneers, bonding, inlays, and overlays are strong and should last many years. However, to avoid possible chipping, cracking, or twisting, do not chew metal, fingernails, ice, or hard foods, like pistachios. If you have a habit of grinding or clenching your teeth when you sleep, your dentist can provide a soft mouth guard to minimize adverse effects.

Brush and floss as you normally would to prevent oral hygiene problems. Do not be afraid of damaging your laminates by flossing and brushing. Any non-abrasive toothpaste is acceptable. Staining foods and beverages, as well as smoking tobacco, should be avoided.

FAQ

Q: What are porcelain veneers?
A: Veneers are thin porcelain shells that are formed like a tooth face, then used to create a new front surface for a tooth then permanently bonded to the front surface of the tooth. They can make a dramatic, immediate difference to a smile and overall facial appearance. They are used to improve position, shape and tooth color. They are usually used to improve midline spaces (gapped tooth look), chipped, crooked, missing, discolored, pitted, malformed or improperly positioned teeth.

Q: What is bonding?
A: Bonding uses an enamel-like resin which gets bonded to the tooth surface. It is then sculpted, hardened and then polished.

Q: What is the difference between bonding and veneers?
A: Bonding is a relatively inexpensive way to restore a tooth. However, the bonded portion my change color overtime, and it is more prone to breakage. Bonding can be placed in one visit, in most circumstances and requires little or no tooth reduction or anesthesia.Veneers will not discolor, or stain and are far stronger than bonding, not as prone to breakage. However, it costs more than bonding and the preparation of the tooth affected will be more extensive. Veneers are also a long-term solution and usually require a couple of visits to the dentist (1st visit to prepare the teeth and 2nd visit to place/attach the veneers.

Q: Can I get veneers if I grind my teeth?
A: Persons who clench and grind their teeth can make poor candidates for porcelain veneers. If you grind (suffer from Bruxism) you will need to commit to wearing a bite guard or acrylic dental night guard to protect the veneers and the rest of the teeth, during sleep.

Q: How are the teeth prepared for veneers?
A: A thin layer of enamel is removed from the outer surface to make room for the porcelain so they will have the proper contour and appear natural. Some individuals may not need any reduction and some may require a lot.

Q: How long with porcelain veneers last?
A: Not everyone is the same, but with proper care and following the dentist's instructions, they can last well in excess of 10 to 15 years.

Q: How do I take care of my new smile?
A: Brush and floss as you normally would to prevent oral hygiene problems. Do not be afraid of damaging your laminates by flossing and brushing. Any non-abrasive toothpaste is acceptable. Staining foods and beverages, as well as smoking tobacco, should be avoided. Porcelain has great crushing strength but poor tensile strength. Therefore, you should avoid anything that will bend or twist the veneers. As with your regular teeth, opening bottle caps with your teeth or crunching on hard candy or ice is not a good idea. Also maintain regular dental check-ups.