What Is Dental Veneer?

What is Dental Veneer?

Dental veneers are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve your appearance. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their color, shape, size, or length.

Dental veneers can be made from porcelain or from resin composite materials. Porcelain veneers resist stains better than resin veneers and better mimic the light reflecting properties of natural teeth. Resin veneers are thinner and require removal of less of the tooth surface before placement.

Indications Of Dental Veneers:

Dental Veneers are commonly used to fix the following dental problems.

1. Discoloured Teeth — either because of Root Canal Treatment; stains from drugs, excessive fluoride; or the presence of large fillings that have discolored the tooth
2. Worn Teeth
3. Broken or Chipped Teeth
4. Misaligned, Uneven, or Irregularly Shaped Teeth
5. Gaps Between Teeth (to close the space between these teeth)
6. Fractured Teeth

Contraindications of Dental Veneers:

1. Patients with Bruxism or Para-functional Habits.
2. Pathology of Bite/Occlusion.

Advantages of Dental Veneers:

1. Restoration of Natural Colour, Shape and Transparency of Teeth.
2. Provide Natural Tooth Appearance.
3. More Conservative as compared to Dental Crown.
4. Hygienic Properties of Porcelain Material.
   1. Gum tolerates Porcelain Well.
   2. Porcelain Venners are stain resistant
5. Good Fixation of Dental Veneers to Teeth due to adhesive system used.

Disadvantages of Dental Veneers:

1. More Expensive than normal Tooth Restoration/Filling.
2. More Time is Needed For This Dental Treatment as compared to Direct Restorations/Fillings.
3. The Process is Not Reversible.
4. Because Enamel has been removed, Teeth may become Sensitive to hot and cold foods and beverages.
5. Veneers might dislodge.
6. Teeth with Dental Veneers can still experience Dental Decay/Caries.

What Is The Procedure For Getting A Dental Veneer?

One tooth or many teeth can simultaneously undergo the veneering process described below.

1. Diagnosis and treatment planning.
   • During this appointment, your dentist will examine your teeth to make sure dental veneers are appropriate for you.
   • X-rays and  impressions of your mouth might be needed.
2. Teeth Preparation.
   • Dentist will remove about 1-2 millimeter of enamel from the tooth surface. This space will be occupied by Dental Veneer later.
   • Next, your dentist will make an impression of your tooth.
   • Then, for very unsightly teeth, temporary dental veneers can be placed.
3. Bonding/Cementation. 
   • Before the dental veneer is permanently cemented to your tooth, dentist will temporarily place it on your tooth to examine its fit and color.
   • Veneer is trimmed as needed to achieve the proper fit.
   • The your tooth will be prepared to receive the veneer.
   • A special Cement is applied to the veneer and the veneer is then placed on your tooth.

How Long Do Dental Veneers Last?

Veneers generally last between 5 and 10 years. After this period, the dental veneers would need to be replaced.

Do Dental Veneers Need Special Care?

Dental veneers do not need any special care. Continue to follow Good Oral Hygiene practices, including Teeth Brushing, Flossing, and Rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash as you normally would.

Even though porcelain veneers resist stains, your dentist may recommend that you avoid stain-causing foods and beverages (for example, coffee, tea, or red wine).

What Are The Alternatives To Dental Veneers?

Alternatives to veneers include Dental Crowns.

Every Dental Treatment has its advantages and disadvantages. Always Consult your dentist for all the alternatives of Dental Treatments.

Article written by,

Dr. Wong Kee Cheong (Tommy)
Dental Surgeon
BDS (AIMST), MBA (SEGi), YCDP