What are Veneers?
Ever wonder how celebrities have a picture-perfect smile with white, aligned teeth all the time? The answer in most cases is veneers! Veneers are these incredibly thin shells that cover up all your teeth’s imperfections like irregular shape, cracks or chipping, discoloration, and even gaps and crookedness. They can change the size, color, shape, and length of your teeth. It takes all of two visits for your doctor to fit veneers over your teeth and give you a celebrity-style flawless smile!
Veneers don’t crack as easily as dental bonding and can last for as long as 10-15 years. However, for them to last this long, they need proper care and timely maintenance.
If you’re wondering which is better – veneers or crown, then let us help you understand their difference. The objective of veneers and crowns are the same – improving the appearance and functioning of your teeth. The most significant difference between the two is that veneers are bonded to the front of your tooth while crowns cover the entire tooth. The choice between the two depends upon the damage to your tooth.
What are the Types of Veneers?
There are five types of dental veneers, and each comes with its own set of pros and cons.
- Porcelain veneers
These are the most preferred veneers, made of a tooth-colored ceramic shell. Porcelain veneers don’t just look like natural teeth but also withhold some pressure from biting, making them more robust and long-lasting than other veneers. However, while they are stain-resistant, durable, natural-looking, strong, and do not injure the neighboring gum tissues, they can also be expensive and hard to repair if damaged.
- Composite veneers
Composite veneers, as the name suggests, are made of composite resin. While the filler is the only inorganic part of the veneer, every other part is entirely organic. As a result, they aren’t as expensive as porcelain veneers; however, they will require your teeth to be prepared for cementing the composite veneer on them. These veneers can last as long as 5-7 years and can be easily fixed when broken.
- Palatal veneers
Your anterior teeth (teeth at the front and middle) can get damaged for various reasons like hard bites, dental erosion, chronic vomiting, severe acid reflux, etc. Palatal veneers are a great way to restore the anterior teeth while leaving the posterior teeth untouched.
- Lumineers
Lumineers don’t require much preparation of the teeth to be fitted on them as they are the thinnest veneers available. They can last as long as 20 years with proper maintenance. What’s more? They’re reversible! However, because of their thin and translucent material, discoloration of the original teeth beneath the veneers might be visible. Also, there are higher chances of being chipped or detached.
- Removable Veneers
Removable veneers, also known as temporary veneers and snap-on veneers, are generally used in two ways – as a replacement until permanent veneers are made or as mouthguards to hide imperfect teeth. The most commonly used removable veneers are clip-on veneers and instant veneers.
What are the Benefits of Veneers?
- Veneers cover minor imperfections perfectly. They work well to cover the gap between teeth, repair cracked teeth, and camouflage discoloration.
- They are almost invisible. Nobody will know that you have undergone a cosmetic procedure unless you reveal it.
- Unlike crowns and dental bridges, veneers help preserve your teeth’ enamel. It also means that veneer placement is a non-invasive procedure.
- They are considerably durable. Dentists attach them to your natural teeth, adding strength to the veneers.
- They beautify your smile and help increase your confidence.
How to Maintain Veneers at Home?
Dental veneers are easy to maintain. A little discipline and care go a long way in making your veneer last long and shine bright. Below are a few tips for taking care of veneers:
- Practice good oral hygiene
Good old dental care tips help maintain veneers. For example, brush and floss twice a day, use fluoridated toothpaste and rinse your mouth after every meal to keep your veneers free of bacteria and plaque.
- Say no to alcohol
Long-term alcohol use weakens the bonding cement of veneers, making them prone to corrosion and damage. Also, remember to use an alcohol-free mouth wash.
- Go soft
Avoid eating hard-to-chew foods several times a day, especially when veneers are new. It helps avoid cracks and dents on veneers.
- Keep a check on tooth-grinding or clenching
Tooth-grinding or clenching leads to significant wear and tear over time and makes veneers susceptible to damage. Getting a brand-new set of veneers sometimes may even be needed. Wear a mouthguard at night to avoid such issues.
Conclusion
Veneers are a quick, affordable, and effective solution to several dental issues. They help improve dental esthetics and require minimal care in the long run.
