Veneers are thin shells of porcelain or composite resin that are custom made to fit over the front surface of teeth. Veneers provide a natural tooth appearance and they can restore chipped, stained, misaligned and worn down teeth.
Types of veneers
· Composite resin veneer is a resin material that is bonded over the front surface of the tooth to improve its appearance. The treatment of composite veneer can be completed in a same day dental visit and no laboratory work is required. Composite veneer can restore and correct small chips, cracks and discoloration of the tooth. However, the resin material may not be as durable as porcelain and it is not stain resistant.
· Porcelain veneer is a thin layer of porcelain bonded over the front surface of the tooth. It usually requires a minimal amount of tooth (enamel) reduction. Porcelain veneer is strong and resilient once placed, and highly stain resistant.
What to expect during a veneer procedure
· Dentist removes a small amount of the tooth surface to allow placement of the veneer
· An impression is taken of the prepared tooth and it is sent to the lab
· Laboratory fabricates the veneer to fit the tooth
· The veneer is bonded to the tooth with resin cement
Can you whiten veneers?
· Both composite resin and porcelain veneers do not respond to whitening.
· Talk to your dentist before you whiten your teeth.
· It is recommended to whiten the teeth prior to having restorative treatment. The whitened teeth match the shade/color of the restorations (veneers)
How to care for veneers
· Avoid chewing on hard foods or non-food items (pens, biting nails)
· Limit food and drinks that stain teeth (coffee, tea, curry, pasta sauce, berries and others)
· Regular dental checkups, at least 2x/year
· Brush 2x/day and floss daily
· Teeth grinding can cause chipping and damages to veneers. Talk to your dentist, you may need to wear a protective occlusal or bite guard to protect the veneers
Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages
· Porcelain and composite resin veneers provide a natural tooth appearance
· Porcelain veneer is stain resistant
· Restore teeth that are chipped, cracked, discolored, or misaligned
· Change the color and shape of teeth
· Minimal tooth (enamel) reduction
· Composite resin veneer-reversible
· Composite resin veneer-treatment can be completed in one office visit
Disadvantages
· Porcelain veneers-irreversible
· Porcelain veneers-patients wait 1-2 weeks (laboratory time) before they can be bonded onto the teeth
· Some people experience an increase in tooth sensitivity after getting veneers. Sensitive to hot or cold temperatures for the first few days after the treatment, but it usually goes away
· Porcelain veneers are usually not repairable if they chip or crack
Longevity of veneers & cost of veneers
· Porcelain veneer can cost between $925-$2500 per tooth. According to a 2013 survey of members of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the average cost of a single veneer was $1253.54.
· Porcelain veneer can last from 10 to 15 years
· Composite resin veneer can cost half of a porcelain veneer
· Composite resin veneer can last from 5-7 years
Veneer cost Factors
· The fees of the dentist performing the procedure
· The artistic and technical skill of the dental laboratory technician
· The location-where dental veneer is fabricated (region of the country, metropolitan areas versus small towns)
· Types of dental insurance (most dental insurance companies do not cover veneers)
Dr. Anna Lee is a cosmetic dentist in Glendora, CA. If you have any questions about porcelain and composite resin veneers, please visit us at www.annaleedds.com or call for a FREE consultation at 626-335-5114.
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