Veneers | Procedure | Uses | Benefits | Limitations | Aftercare | Community

Veneers are one of the innovations in dental technology that is highly sought for by people who wants to achieve that beautiful smile. It is known to beauty queens, models and celebrities because of the significant effects that it brings in your smile. If you are considering the thought of getting them, we have compiled essential information that you need to know.

What are Dental Veneers?

They are laminates that looks like wafer thin shells. It is also referred to as dental laminates, ceramic sheaths, and porcelain sheaths.

Usually, these dental laminates are made out of porcelain, although they can also be made out of resin composites. These sheaths have a thickness which is under a half millimeter. With this, an equal thickness of the natural enamel of the teeth is removed before the veneers are applied on top of the teeth. Porcelain, being translucent like the dental enamel, can reflect the original tooth color.  Although porcelain could look almost like your real ones, this material is brittle and relies only on the underlying enamel for strength.

The layer of enamel removed from the teeth could cause sensitivity for a few weeks. Although this is the case, the application of dental laminates is a safe and painless cosmetic procedure. Being an aesthetic solution, this method is useful only in front tooth applications. They are not helpful for the portions which are generally not visible like the back molars. Also, veneers are not a solution for missing teeth where implants are useful.

Dental Veneers Lake Elsinore

Procedure & Application

The application of them can be a little bit more complex compared to direct bonding. The process usually takes three steps:

  1. Consultation and planning;
  2. Preparation of your mouth and the creation of impressions;
  3. Application

Typically, the whole process could take three to two visits, but this will also depend on whether separate consultation visits are made or not.

Consultation and Planning – The first step is consultation and planning. This happens in the first meeting with our dental experts. At this stage, you will explain the problem with your teeth and the aesthetics that you desire to achieve. The dentist will examine your mouth and determine whether or not dental veneers will best fit you and your situation. In case there is a bite problem, this has to be attended to before proceeding further with procedure. Our dentist will also explain to you the various alternative cosmetic, restorative option that you can avail of together with its price range.

Preparation and Impression Taking – The next visit will center around two crucial steps:

Preparation – The dentist will prepare your teeth by removing a thin layer of enamel. This thin layer will have an equal thickness as veneers that will be attached to the teeth. In case a patient has crooked or crowded teeth, more layers of enamel might need to be trimmed as the teeth could be trimmed on the sides as well. There are instances that the gums could be bruised during the trimming of the enamel when this happens, it could cause some discomfort for a few days until the recovery time is completed. The lost gum will regrown and begin to heal almost immediately, and the patient will feel as if the gums were never trimmed. However, in cases where the patient has partially broken teeth, tooth restoration might need to be done first before proceeding further with the treatment.

Impressions – After preparing the teeth, the dentist will have impressions made. The impressions together with the material and choice of color will then be sent to the lab for preparation.  In the lab, the veneers will be prepared according to the impressions and the dentist’s instructions. The whole process could take up to ten days to complete. These number of days will overlap the healing of the gums. This will make it easier for them to fit properly to the teeth.

Application – After the veneers are made, the teeth will be cleaned again, polished and chemically etched to roughen the surfaces. These processes have to be made to improve the bond between the teeth and veneers. Then they are glued onto the teeth with the use of a transparent cement. If they are made out of porcelain and they are being applied to discolored teeth, an opaque adhesive will be used to glue them on. The color of the cement can also match the color of the adjacent ones. Finally, after application, your dentist will ask you to bite to see if the upper ones were attached properly and fit comfortably with the bottom ones.

Learn about under-bite

What are they Used for?

There are a lot of situations where you can use veneers. However, before proceeding with the process, your doctor will assess first whether they are the best solution for you. Your dentist will also discuss with you the method after he has examined your teeth and consulting about your preferences and your budget.

They may be useful in the following situations.

Discolored – Teeth discoloration is a common problem nowadays. They can become discolored because of various reasons which include neglect of oral health, gastric reflux, root canal treatment, large resin fillings, use of drugs like tetracycline and more. It may seem surprising, but excessive fluoride can also cause discoloration to occur. Tobacco and alcohol may also have this effect.

Worn Down – Teeth may get gradually worn down over a period of time. The most common reason for this is the neglect of oral hygiene, but other factors may contribute to this situation. Disease, like diabetes, deficiency of fluoride, and genetics may be responsible.

Chipped or Cracked – Chipped or cracked teeth can be easily repaired to restore their looks.

You have Gaps – If you have gaps in your teeth that you want to do away with, then these might be the right choice to make – regardless of how small or large, the gap may be.

Irregularly Shaped or Aligned – Not all people are born with a perfect set of teeth. Some may have naturally misaligned or crooked smile, or with unequal width or height. Surfaces may have depressions or bulges on the front. In all of these situations, they can be used to cover the problem after proper trimming.

Your Teeth have Open Spaces – Whether a gap between an individual tooth and another, whether too large or too small, can be amended with proper trimming followed by application.

Benefits of Having Veneers

  • These prosthetics can be one of the most attractive procedures you can do to your teeth together with the following advantages:
  • Natural tooth appearance is restored.
  • Porcelain is well tolerated by the gum tissue.
  • Ones made from porcelain resist stains well.
  • People with teeth that have already been stained.
  • Porcelain is available in various colors. Even darker ones can be made to look white again.
  • They require much less reshaping than crowns and provide a stronger cosmetic option.
  • No significant bone loss is required for the procedure.
  • Does not use metal at any stage of the process.

According to ADA, “They are an option for correcting stained, chipped, decayed or crooked teeth.“

Learn more about Misalignment of the Jaw.

Limitations

  • Dental veneers might look like an excellent choice for anyone who wants to achieve that perfect smile. Although this dental cosmetic brings that magic to your appearance, it has some limitations which are as follows:
  • The enamel removed through the process cannot be restored anymore.
  • The cost can be higher compared to other types of cosmetic dentistry.
  • It cannot be easily fixed and with limited possibility for repair.
  • Tooth sensitivity may develop in the initial few weeks.
  • The color cannot be changed once installed. Any whitening must be done before application.
  • In rare cases, they may dislodge or even fall off. It is suggested that patients, especially in the time immediately following the procedure, avoid hard foods to prevent them from falling out.
  • If decay sets in, they may need to be replaced with a full crown.

They are not recommended to individuals with teeth weakened by tooth decay, active gum disease, fracture, large fillings, or if the natural enamel of the teeth is too thin. The same with people who grind or clench their teeth. For those who tend to grind or clench their teeth, the veneers have a higher chance of chipping or cracking. Thus, the specialist will recommend seeking alternative options. Also, for people who are looking for a permanent solution, dental veneers, although they could last long, might not be the best solution.

Learn more about Dental Implants vs. Veneers

After Care

The whole process is not a painful procedure, although in some cases local anesthesia is given during the initial preparation. In case you experience pain after the procedure, you can take an over the counter painkillers to alleviate the pain. Also, you might experience tooth sensitivity for a few weeks and could even slightly hurt when you are eating or taking hot or cold drinks.

Once the veneers already fit comfortably, they require no special aftercare aside from following good oral hygiene, which includes brushing, flossing, and rigorous rinsing to keep it clean and well maintained. Occasional use of a mouthwash helps as well. However, you do have to watch what you eat, or else you may crack or break one. Once broken, they cannot be repaired.

According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, porcelain veneers are expected to last between seven to 20 years. However, the longevity of the them could also depend on how well you treat them, for instance, it could last longer with good oral hygiene.

Dental Veneers

Dental Veneers, Lake Elsinore, CA

The price is also important to consider before you go through the procedure. In general, dental veneers can be cheaper compared to braces. Our experts or staff will explain to you the options that you can avail of together with the price range before you make your final decision.

We would be happy to give you that perfect smile you have been wanting to have! Make an appointment or visit us and we will provide you excellent customer care throughout the process. Our office in Lake Elsinore, CA, just ten minutes from Canyon Lake & Wildomar.

See Before and After pictures of our patients.

Dental Veneers – FAQs

Porcelain veneers are designed to both look and feel as natural as real teeth. How well they match your tooth’s natural enamel will be heavily dependent upon factors like the shade of your teeth, the condition of your mouth and the skill of your dentist.

Some veneers may appear differently due to their width, thickness or form.

Porcelain veneers can require anywhere from half an hour to an hour to complete. Our dentists must prepare your tooth, shape the veneer and bond it to the tooth’s surface.

It depends. Porcelain veneers are thin ceramic sheets that basically replace tooth enamel. They are used to treat discolored teeth, fractured teeth and minor bite problems. A crown replaces the enamel “cap” of the tooth and can extend all the way down to the gum line. It is used on teeth that have been damaged by tooth decay, bruxism or trauma.

Getting veneers used to hurt, because our dentists had to grind away large parts of the front of the tooth to make room for them. Since then, the technology has improved resulting in less natural enamel being removed. That means less pain for our patients.

Veneers can last between seven and 20 years. They do require some care to avoid damaging them. For example, a person who grinds their teeth at night should wear a mouth guard to protect them. Patients should also avoid biting their nails or chewing on ice. Most foods, however, are safe to eat.

Getting a veneer involves three steps: consultation, preparation and bonding. During the consultation, the dentist and the patient discuss the procedure. The dentist may also take X-rays and mouth and teeth impressions.

During the preparation, the dentist will grind away part of the tooth enamel to make room for the veneer. He will then make an impression of the tooth and send it to a laboratory that will make the veneer. A week or two later, he will fit the veneer to the tooth and then bond it to the tooth with a cement.