Dental veneers are tooth-coloured thin shells that cover the front surface of teeth. They improve the length, size, shape, and colour of your teeth. Composite resin veneers and porcelain veneers are the most commonly used types of veneers. In this post, we will talk about different types of veneers and their advantages. Now, let’s begin.
What are the different types of veneers?
1. Porcelain veneers
Porcelain veneers offer multiple benefits. The beauty of these permanent veneers is that they can be used to fix surface damage to your teeth like cracks, chips, or lines. They can also hide common dental flaws like blemishes or fill in the spaces between teeth of different sizes.
In addition, porcelain veneers don’t have pores like natural tooth enamel; thus, they’re more resistant to staining. Consequently, patients can take better care of their smile for longer.
Porcelain veneers are not only incredibly beautiful, but they are also built to last if properly cared for.
According to a long-term study of 84 patients, the estimated survival rates for veneers were 94%, 93%, and 82% after 5, 10, and 20 years respectively.
Porcelain dental veneers can be done in two visits with traditional methods, or you can use CEREC technology and have them completed while you wait. The process is also less invasive than other alternatives like getting a dental crown. However, it does require slightly removing tooth enamel – once you decide to get porcelain veneers, there’s no going back.
Porcelain veneers can provide a major and prolonged change to your smile without going through more intense treatments.
2. Composite veneers
Another type of veneer is composite resin, which offers a cheaper alternative to porcelain but typically won’t last as long. A study from 2014 states that composite veneers in back teeth won’t last for more than five years. A shorter lifespan is one of the disadvantages of composite resin fillings, as it’s not as strong compared to other materials. However, it is also more prone to staining than other options. If you want your composite dental veneers to last, then you need to be mindful of what you drink and eat.
The key contrast between composite and porcelain substitutes is that while porcelain veneers need to be designed and created in a laboratory, composite veneers are made of resin which can be mixed by your dentist and applied directly to the tooth. After the resin is applied, the dentist uses a curing light to harden it. Once that’s done, they move on to polishing and buffing for a flawless finish. Veneers made of composite resin require less filing down of your natural teeth than other veneer options.
Also, there’s no need to remove tooth enamel before applying the composite mixture to the teeth, so treatment can be completed in a single session. Composite veneers are much easier to repair than porcelain. When a composite veneer chips, you can simply fix the chip, whereas with a porcelain veneer, you need to replace the entire thing.
3. Lumineers
Lumineers are a type of dental veneer, but they are much thinner than average veneers, usually only 0.2 mm. They can more closely replicate the appearance of natural teeth than traditional veneers. This type of dental veneer is popular because it does not require the removal of a layer of tooth enamel, as opposed to other types of veneers.
Because Lumineers don’t require any preparatory work, they are often less expensive than traditional porcelain veneers–perfect for anyone wanting to cosmetically change their teeth without breaking the bank.
Lumineers are thin and, because of that, are prone to chipping. When this happens, it can reduce how long they last overall. With proper care, Lumineers can last up to 10-15 years.
4. Partial veneers (Onlays)
Dental veneers are meant to protect the front of the tooth, while onlays only cover specific problem areas, such as decay or erosion. Although onlays are typically made from porcelain, they serve more of a restorative purpose than a strictly cosmetic one.
Dental onlays do not require a dental crown because they only cover part of the tooth. By using a dental onlay, we can avoid needing to change the entire shape of the tooth in order to preserve it. Dental onlays are ideal for minor tooth decay, partial fractures, and tooth cracks.
Who is an ideal candidate for veneers?
Before you even begin to think about getting a veneer, it’s important that you consider your oral health as a whole. If you have weak tooth enamel or gum disease, then a veneer may not be right for you. Before receiving a veneer, your dentist will need to remove some of the enamel from your natural tooth. You’ll want to make sure that there’s enough healthy enamel remaining for this process.
The process can’t be done if there isn’t enough enamel left because of significant damage or decay. If this is what’s going on, your dentist will explore additional choices with you.
Another thing to take into account is lifestyle choices like diet and smoking. Veneers may not be the best option for those who smoke cigarettes or drink coffee all day because they are more susceptible to staining and discolouration.
Dental veneers aren’t recommended for patients who grind their teeth because this can damage veneers, and then the underlying tooth structure would be exposed. They are also vulnerable to wear and tear if you bite your nails or chew on pens or ice. A dentist can help you learn if tooth veneers are the best option for your smile.
The most successful candidates for dental veneers know both the limitations and possibilities of the procedure. Veneers may make your smile look nicer, but they won’t improve your oral health problems.
Improve your smile at Sydney Laser Dental Care
If you want to enhance the look of your teeth, veneers might be something to consider. At Sydney Laser Dental Care, we strive to provide our patients with the best possible care. We understand that everyone’s smile is unique, and we work with each patient to ensure that their individual needs are met.
Book your appointment online now.
Pyrmont: (02) 9158 6213
Illawong: (02) 9158 6756
Sylvania Waters: (02) 9159 6083
References
Veneers vs. Lumineers: What’s the Difference?
https://www.healthline.com/health/veneers-vs-lumineers
Clinical performance of porcelain laminate veneers for up to 20 years
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22259802/
Longevity of Posterior Composite Restorations
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4293707/
