Veneers

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Veneers to improve your smile

Chipped teeth

Porcelain veneers

What are veneers?

Veneers, or porcelain laminates, are a thin "shells" custom made to fit precisely over the front of an existing tooth. They are permanently bonded in place with a special adhesive resin. The finished result is extremely strong and durable. Although veneers are not suitable for every patient, they are a cosmetic alternative for a variety of dental conditions affecting the front teeth.

What are they used for?

closing spaces
restoring broken or chipped teeth
covering unsightly, stained fillings
lightening stained or discolored teeth that are not candidates for teeth whitening
correcting uneven or crooked teeth

Questions and Answers:

What are the advantages of veneers over full crowns?
Less natural tooth needs to be removed during preparation and they cost less than crowns.
Can all stained or damaged teeth have veneers?
No. Some teeth are too weak or too stained, and would be best restored with a full crown.
What are veneers made from?
Usually porcelain, but sometimes composite resin.
What's so special about porcelain?
Strength, comfort appearance and biocompatibility . Porcelain is a durable material that resists chipping, cracking and staining. It is nonirritating to the gums and mimics natural tooth structure very well.
What are the advantages of porcelain laminates over other composite bonding?
Since they are made of porcelain they are stronger and more durable than composite resin. Sometimes composites will stain with age, whereas, the porcelain laminates maintain their beautiful luster and vitality.
How long will they last?
Porcelain laminates are so strong, we expect they will last several years.
Is there any pain involved?
Dramatic changes in smiles can happen with little or no removal tooth structure. Only a little drilling is involved. Some patients don't require any anaesthetic, but most prefer some for peace of mind.
How thick are porcelain laminates?
They are anywhere between ½ mm to 1 mm depending upon the severity of the problem being corrected. They are so natural looking and feeling, you will hardly notice the difference from your real teeth except for the cosmetic improvement!
Is there a certain age group porcelain laminates are best suited for?
No. Everyone can benefit from them, young and old alike.

Steps in placing veneers

The teeth before a small amount of tooth is trimmed away to make space for the porcelain laminates.	After preparation a rubber impression is made so the dental technician can pour a plaster model of the teeth.	Final veneers bonded in place.

More information:

New Zealand Dental Association topic - veneers
American Dental Association topic - veneers
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