Everything You Need to Know About Veneers

by | Jul 10, 2017 | Veneers

Feeling insecure about your smile? Maybe you’re not happy with the shape, size, or appearance of your teeth and you’re ready to try something new. You might be a candidate for veneers! Here is our all encompassing guide to dental veneers:

Why Would I Need Veneers?

  • Worn enamel: Over time, the thin, hard translucent substance covering your teeth (enamel) may become worn, dulled and discolored. Such wear and discoloration may be natural or result from a genetic predisposition. However, it often results from consuming soft drinks, tea or coffee; smoking; using certain medications, etc.
  • Wear and tear: Teeth naturally wear down as people age. Aged teeth are more likely to have chips, cracks or a generally uneven appearance.
  • Genetics: Certain people are born with abnormal spacing between their teeth that widens with age.
  • Uneven teeth: Uneven teeth can result from tooth grinding or general wear and tear.

Dental candidate for Veneers                               After Veneers are added

What are Dental Veneers?

A cosmetic veneer is a thin shell of porcelain that covers the front/visible part of a tooth, preserving a large amount of the natural tooth structure. It wraps slightly over the edge of the tooth to help with retention of the veneer and add strength. Each veneered tooth must be individually shaped. This means that a thin outer layer of the natural tooth structure is removed to allow space for dental veneer placement. Generally, the amount of tooth structure that is reduced is very minimal – about .8 mm to 1 mm. The veneer is bonded to the tooth, making it very strong.

How Long Do Veneers Last?

Porcelain Veneers are strong and can last for many years, possibly even a lifetime with good oral care. There are many different reasons someone would need to replace dental veneers or cosmetic crown. Cosmetic dental techniques have advanced dramatically over the last decade. Some dental veneers/crowns made a long time ago are not as white and natural looking because we didn’t have the same porcelain materials we have today. In the past, metal may have been used under cosmetic crowns for the front teeth, creating a gray, blue, or greenish color at the gumline. The reason for replacement may be entirely for aesthetic purposes. Another cause for replacement may be due to gum recession, which allows the edges of the veneer or crown to show (where the veneer ends and the natural tooth begins). Poor home care, lack of proper brushing and flossing or neglecting your regularly-scheduled dental hygiene cleanings can cause the teeth to decay around the margins of the veneer/crown, resulting in the need for replacement of the restoration.

Will Veneers Stain?

Porcelain veneers are non-porous and will not stain or discolor. Bonded composite veneers do stain and chip and need regular maintenance.

                               teeth needing veneerslasting porcelain veneers

What is Bonding and How Does it Differ From a Veneer?

Bonding is the use of a composite resin material to cover the tooth in order to change shape, fill chips, or build up the tooth. The disadvantage is that it will discolor over time since it is a porous material and is more prone to breakage than a veneer. It may require more maintenance to resurface or repair over a number of years. It is not as “permanent” a restoration as a veneer.

 

Dr. Weisbard has crafted some of Denver’s more beautiful smiles and with over 25 years of experience, she is acclaimed for technical skills and artistic eye. Weisbard Dental uses thin porcelain veneers to improve the shape, color, and creating a naturally beautiful teeth and smile. Dr. Weisbard places 100% metal-free, all-porcelain restorations on all front teeth.