Everyone dreams of a flawless smile but most of them do not have them because of teeth discoloration, chipped teeth, large spaces in between the teeth, or other dental issues. Dental veneers are thin, tooth-colored shells that can help improve the appearance of front teeth and even protect the teeth surfaces from damage. They are also known as smile makeovers. If one wants to know are there different types of veneers, they can read the following article discussed by the expert dentist at First Point dental Clinic.
Commonly, there are two materials used to make dental veneers, including:
- Porcelain veneers: They are the traditional veneers that have been in use for the past so many years. These veneers are tooth-colored, completely customized, versatile dental appliances that can last for 10-15 years. They are composed of ceramic materials and are placed over the side or front of teeth after removing some portion of tooth enamel. As it is indirectly placed on the teeth surface, this ensures that there is a natural appearance instead of a too bulky look. These veneers appear uniform throughout as they are of the same color as that of real teeth. Moreover, their strength and resilience are also almost similar. Most people prefer this type of veneer when their natural teeth are fractured, discolored (resistant to bleaching), or are in poor shape.
- Composite (bonded) veneers: These are the alternatives to conventional porcelain veneers composed of the same material as the tooth-colored fillings of the cavities (i.e. resin-based composite materials). They are cheaper options that can be quickly fabricated and placed directly on the teeth without cutting or minimal removal of enamel. However, they last only for 5 to 7 years. These are mostly smoothed and polished to look like natural teeth. Although they can help patients achieve a beautiful desired smile, they are prone to staining and chipping more than the traditional porcelain veneers. People who have a chipped composite veneer can get that area repaired but in case of damaged porcelain veneers, they need to be replaced entirely. Their popularity is among patients who are financially weak and want to improve their teeth appearance which is resistant to whitening treatments
What are the other types of dental veneers?
- Lumineers- They are translucent, strongest, and ultra-thin (about 0.2mm) brands of dental veneers having the ability to replicate the color and shape of natural tooth enamel more than porcelain veneers. These do not require tooth reduction or re-contouring to be placed and can last for 20 years. But, their chances of getting damaged are more which results in their shorter life span.
- Palatal veneers- These gold-based Onlays are used specifically for the posterior teeth to restore them from damage caused by a deep bite, dental erosion, or bruxism (teeth clenching or grinding). They only help in treating the compromised part without harming the rest of the teeth and are specifically placed to the inside of the upper teeth.
- Non-permanent veneers- These are custom-tailored removable veneers (snap-on) that are less invasive and cost-effective as compared to the traditional veneers. They are placed without removal of the tooth enamel. Hence, they are not used much because they can be uncomfortable, do not blend easily with natural teeth, and must be replaced often any time after 5-15 years.
What are the most natural-looking veneers?
Depending upon the wear and age of teeth, the natural layering of dentin and enamel possess different optical characteristics. Natural dental veneers are the ones that are designed in the most possible conservative way. Hence, out of the two materials- porcelain and composite resin, porcelain veneers are the most natural-looking.
To know more about what types of dental veneers are there in detail one can consult the expert dental experts at First Point Dental Clinic.
