Dental Care: What are veneers?
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The right veneers are a quick shortcut to a beautiful smile and are a perfect treatment for people with damaged teeth.
Veneers, though, are an irreversible treatment and it is important to have the right information about them, their cost and how to care for veneers before you decide to opt for the treatment.
What are veneers?
According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), a veneer is a "thin piece of porcelain used to re-create the natural look of teeth, while also providing strength and resilience comparable to natural tooth enamel."
Veneers or veneers teeth are known to be an excellent alternative to crowns and braces in many instances. They mask several undesirable defects like stained teeth, damage caused due to an injury or as a result of a root-canal procedure.
Veneers offer the cosmetic solution for:
- gaps between teeth
- crooked or irregularly shaped teeth
- broken, chipped or cracked teeth
- badly stained or coloured teeth
- obvious, aesthetically-displeasing fillings.
Is getting a dental implant the right treatment for you? Find out in our blog on '7 things you should know about dental implants.'
How long do veneers last?
Veneers can last about 10 years and possibly much longer. It’s important however, to maintain proper and effective oral hygiene.
Types of veneers - Porcelain veneers or composite resin veneers?
There are two basic types of dental veneers – porcelain and composite resin. Don’t worry; you don’t need to know much about either. Your dentist will advise you on the best option based on what’s best for your teeth.
But let’s ensure you make that dental visit armed with some useful basic knowledge and find out the pros and cons of dental veneers.
What are porcelain veneers?
A porcelain veneer is basically a thin shell your dentist custom-makes to fit your teeth. Porcelain veneers are strong, long-lasting and give your mouth a natural look; no one will know you’ve had remedial work at all except for one nice thing; your old discoloured, broken or crooked teeth will simply be gone and replaced with a brand new smile. A smile that will last as porcelain veneers don’t stain easily. Find out if diet drinks are bad for your teeth and responsible for staining them.
What are composite resin veneers?
Not a shell as such like their porcelain counterparts, composites are a tooth-coloured resin or filling shaped and bonded to the tooth. Composites are cheaper than porcelain veneers and can often be finished and ready for Facebook selfies in much less time. In fact, some can be finished in a single dental visit.
On the downside, composites aren’t as strong as porcelain, but they can be repaired fairly easily. So if cost is a factor, they may well be the way to go.
