Dental veneers do an impressive job at covering up tooth imperfections. These thin shells can be made out of composite resin or porcelain and are bonded to the front of your teeth to cover up cosmetic issues such as tooth size, shape and colour. If you’re considering getting veneers, today we’re going to explain ‘how are veneers applied’.
What Are Dental Veneers?
The dental veneer procedure is a type of cosmetic dentistry during which your dentist creates thin, tooth-shaped shells to bond to the front of your teeth. Typically crafted from porcelain or composite resin, veneers can be used to change the size, shape and colour of your teeth.
You May Be A Candidate For Veneers
Veneers can be used to address
- Broken, chipped, cracked or worn teeth
- Small teeth that create a gap when you smile
- Discoloured teeth that do not respond to whitening
- Asymmetrical teeth
How Are Veneers Applied To Your Teeth?
Composite resin veneers can be completed on the same day you visit your dentist, while porcelain veneers may take two or three visits and will be completed over the course of a few weeks. The process is slightly different, depending on the veneer material being used.
For both composite resin and porcelain veneers, a small amount of dental enamel must be removed from the surface of each tooth. This ensures that your new veneers fit comfortably into your mouth. This is usually done with a local anaesthetic to make it as comfortable as possible.
Porcelain veneers
In order to get the right size and shape of porcelain veneers for your mouth, your dentist will take an impression of your teeth, and send it to a laboratory. This may take 7 to 10 days to complete. Once the porcelain veneers are ready you will return to the dentist for a fitting.
Your dentist will prepare the surface of your teeth before bonding the porcelain veneers with dental cement. While you may experience a little sensitivity, a skilled dental practitioner will make the process as comfortable as possible.
Porcelain is a high-quality material for dental veneers. With good care, it can last up to 25 years and is unlikely to break, chip or stain.
How Are Veneers Applied When They Are Made From Composite Resin?
Composite veneers can usually be completed in just one visit. After removing some tooth enamel, your dentist will shape the resin into a size and shape that matches your other natural teeth. It is bonded to the front of your teeth and then adjusted. A blue light will be shone onto the resin to harden it.
While composite resin is a more affordable material for dental veneers, it is softer and does not last for as long. Wearers can expect a four to eight-year lifespan from dental veneers crafted from composite resin. The veneers may chip prematurely.
Speaking to an experienced dentist is the best way to find out more about how are veneers applied. To find out more about the benefits of veneers, please contact us on (03) 5749 1208 for a consultation.
References
Veneers Treatment Guide: Cost, Procedure, Types & FAQ
https://www.smile.com.au/dental-treatments/veneers
