A veneer is a thin layer of material that is applied to the front of a tooth. Veneers enhance the appearance of a smile while also protecting the tooth’s surface from harm. Veneers are a prescription-only prosthetic items used by aesthetic dentists. A dentist may use a single high-quality veneer to fix a single damaged or discolored tooth, or numerous teeth on the upper arch to produce a huge brilliant “Hollywood” kind of smile makeover.
Dental Veneers in SW Calgary
Many people have small teeth resulting in spaces that may not be easily closed by orthodontics. Some people have worn away the edges of their teeth resulting in a prematurely aged appearance, while others may have malposition tooth/teeth that appear crooked. Multiple veneers can close these spaces, lengthen teeth that have been shortened by wear, fill the black triangles between teeth caused by gum recession, provide a uniform color, shape, and symmetry, and make the teeth appear straight.
Dentists also recommend using thin porcelain veneers to strengthen worn teeth. It is also applied to yellow teeth that won’t whiten. Thin veneers are an effective option for aging patients with worn dentition. In many cases, minimal to no tooth preparation is needed when using porcelain veneers. When preparing, in between prep and fit appointments of the veneer, you can make temporaries, usually out of composite. These are not normally indicated but can be used if the patient is complaining of sensitivity or aesthetics.
According to our dentists at Aspen Dental Care in SW Calgary, temporaries are really important to design and finalizing the aesthetics of the final veneers. Temporaries help patients and the dentist decide on the right color, length, and shape of the veneers.
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Types of Dental Veneers
01. Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are constructed of a durable, high-quality ceramic called feldspathic porcelain that can be matched to the shade of your surrounding teeth for a seamless natural look. This popular cosmetic dentistry process employs veneers that can be individually designed for your teeth, resulting in the best possible fit as well as a stunning aesthetic. The hand-layered porcelain has a dynamic character that catches the light in the same way as natural tooth enamel does. Porcelain veneers are frequently regarded as a minimal prep procedure since they preserve the bulk of your current tooth structure while providing long-lasting smile rejuvenation.
02. Lithium Disilicate
This dental material is a type of glass ceramic composed of lithium (which is a soft, silvery-white metal) and silicon (which is a hard, brittle, crystalline solid). Lithium Disilicate is one such all-ceramic system, currently used in the fabrication of single and multiunit dental restorations mainly for dental crowns, bridges, and veneers because of its excellent mechanical properties. For the dentist, Lithium Disilicate is a highly aesthetic, high-strength material that can be conventionally cemented or adhesively bonded. Lithium Disilicate is a material that can be used in all areas of the mouth. Lithium Disilicate is among the best-known and most widely used types of glass ceramics. This type of resistant glass ceramic can be processed using either well-known lost wax hot pressing techniques or state-of-art CAD/CAM milling procedures.
03. daVinci
DA Vinci porcelain veneers are high quality, hand-crafted, and ultra-thin shells of tooth colored ceramic, That are bonded to your teeth in order to mask stains, gaps or chips. Using the highest quality materials, the finest artisans in the industry produce ultra-thin porcelain veneers that have a natural radiance. Used throughout the world, these veneers fit precisely color match perfectly. They’ve received wide public recognition when used on the television shows Extreme Makeover and The Swan with incredibly beautiful results.
04. MAC Veneers
MAC veneers are composed of high quality pressed ceramic which gives them a very strong and thick appearance than the usual porcelain veneer made from feldspar. An important fact about them is their capacity to adhere very accurately on the surface of the teeth which prevents them from getting knocked out in any case. They are highly resistant to wear and tear and do not get stained. They are used for the treatment of discolored, chipped and widely spaced teeth and match the natural color of one’s teeth after placing.
05. Lumineers Veneers
Lumineers are unique in that they are ultra-thin (approximately 0.2 mm) and highly translucent, allowing them to replicate the natural appearance of enamel. While traditional veneers are thicker, requiring the grinding down of your original tooth structure. Lumineers are so thin that little to no tooth reduction is necessary. Additionally, the durability of Lumineers allows them to resist wear and remain resilient to last over 20 years. Lumineers are composed of cerinate ® ceramic-an ultra-thin material.
06. Zirconia Veneers
Zirconia porcelain veneers are often ideal for patients who have teeth are more severely damaged or decayed. These restorations can be stronger than traditional porcelain veneers, and offer a compromised tooth some structural reinforcement. In addition, due to the material’s extreme durability, zirconia can be used to create dental crown and dental implant restorations. A porcelain finish is normally combined with zirconia to make it more durable and appealing. The choice between Zirconia and Emax veneers will depend on your preferences and on the tooth’s location on your mouth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers are thin, ceramic shells that are affixed to teeth to lengthen worn teeth, close gaps, and restore smile symmetry, unlike dental crowns, they cover only the most visible portion of the affected tooth are designed to look like your natural tooth.
Do they look like natural teeth?
Yes! Porcelain dental veneers are custom-designed to fit your tooth with the most comfortable, natural looking results. Once a small amount of the existing tooth has been altered for the best fit, the veneer is color-tinted to match the surrounding teeth and firmly cemented in place for both functional and aesthetic benefits.
What about maintenance of porcelain veneers?
You can maintain your porcelain veneers with regular brushing and flossing, and overall good oral hygiene.
How long do veneers last?
Porcelain veneers can last for years, even decades, they do not change color and they are made with durable material designed for long-lasting results-lifetime results in many cases.
What should I look for in choosing a dentist for porcelain veneers?
When considering porcelain dental veneers, patients should look for a dentist with established credential in cosmetic dentistry. The dentists at Aspen Dental Care have a combined 30 years of experience in dentistry, especially in the field of cosmetic dentistry and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
