Veneers are made of either porcelain or composite resins. Composite resins are applied directly to the teeth, and then shaped appropriately. Porcelain veneers are thin hard shells that must be constructed in a lab before being bonded over the teeth.
Composite veneers are typically less expensive than their porcelain counter-parts, but they have a significatly shorter life span and are prone to staining. Composite resin restorations last between five and seven years and are subject to staining, whereas porcelain veneers typically last well over 15 years and will not stain over time.
Unlike bonding procedures used for small problems, most veneers require a small amount of tooth reduction prior to placement. This means that the thickness of your teeth must be slightly reduced to provide enough room for the veneer.
Veneer Procedures
Porcelain Veneers
To begin fitting you with veneers, the enamel of the teeth may need to be slightly reduced. The teeth are very minimally prepared, usually between 0.5mm and 1.0mm. An impression of the area is taken, which will be sent to a dental laboratory to construct the veneers. You may be fitted with temporary veneers until your final restoration is completed. Often, no anesthetic is needed for this procedure.
Next, we will carefully check the completed veneers for proper color matching and fit.
During the final placement of the veneers, the teeth to be bonded will be cleaned and polished. A special bonding agent is applied and light cured. Then a final contouring and polishing of the veneer to the tooth completes the procedure.
Composite Veneers
Composite veneers can be applied during a single office visit. After careful discussion of desired results and options for treatment, we will help you choose the correct color for your veneer.
Next, the resin will be directly applied to your teeth and carefully sculpted into the desired shape. The area is then treated to solidify the bond between the tooth and the veneer.