Did you know that only around 600,000 people got veneers in the year 2006? In more recent years, these numbers have skyrocketed. After all, everyone wants a bright, white Hollywood smile that can only be achieved with veneers.
But what are the different types of veneers? Are they really any different from each other? How can you tell which kind of veneer might be right for you?
If you're asking these questions, you're in the right place to find your answers. Keep reading and learn more about the benefits of veneers, the different types, and what you should expect if you ever go in for a dental veneer appointment.
What Are Dental Veneers Exactly?
Veneers are really not much more than little shells that are designed to cover the front of your teeth. Veneers come in many different sizes, shapes, and of course, shades. In the past, the average shades for veneers used to be several shades darker than the average color for veneers today.
Today, whiter is often better when it comes to this dental procedure. Veneers are primarily cosmetic, unlike crowns which are similar but have more of a functional aspect as well. Veneers usually only cover the teeth at the front of your mouth.
This is because when you smile, it isn't likely that anyone will be able to see any of your other teeth. More than that, since veneers don't add any functional aspects, there would be no point in putting them on the teeth further back in your mouth.
When you get veneers, you'll find that you'll be able to get just about any color you want. You can even get veneers that match the color of your real teeth perfectly.
On the other hand, if you don't like the color of your teeth, you can always get veneers that are several shades lighter. This is what many people choose to do because they can skip the struggle of traditional teeth whitening methods.
What You Need to Know
Besides being able to provide you with a full set of white teeth, veneers are also great for fixing other dental problems. For example, if your teeth are chipped or otherwise deformed in some way, veneers can easily cover the problem and no one will be the wiser. You can even use veneers to cover teeth that are slightly crooked.
However, you should not use veneers if your teeth are very crooked. Instead, you should first get braces and then, if you're still interested, you can get veneers. This is also true if you have any other dental health problems such as gum disease, tooth decay, or cavities.
Covering those problems with veneers will not make them go away. For that reason, your mouth should be completely healthy before you get veneers. Your dentist will be able to see whether or not you'll be a good candidate for veneers right away.
But what is the veneer procedure like anyway, and what kind of veneers might be best for your teeth and budget?
The Process of Installing Dental Veneers
The process of installing dental veneers is not that complicated, but it will take quite some time. Before you get your veneers, you will need to have a talk with your dentist so you'll know exactly what you're getting into. Your dentist will discuss what the procedure will be like, how many veneers you plan to get, the cost of those veneers, and so on.
Your dentist will also tell you whether or not you need to get other work done first on your teeth (such as braces) before you get your veneers. Your dentist will take some scans to make sure that your mouth is healthy before you proceed with the procedure. If you are a good candidate for veneers, your dentist will begin the process of preparing your teeth so they will fit the veneers in the correct way.
In particular, your dentist will need to sand down your teeth to a certain extent.
This is a similar process to getting dental crowns, although crowns require your teeth to be sanded down into small nubs.
The sanding process isn't as extreme when it comes to veneers.
Rather, this process is necessary so the surface of your teeth becomes rough. This makes it much easier for the veneers to stick to your teeth later on. Once the dentist grinds down your teeth, he will take an impression and then send that impression off to a lab.
The Details
After about 2 weeks, your dentist will receive a fresh set of veneers made from your teeth impressions. Because these veneers are made especially for you, they should fit your mouth perfectly without any issues.
Once the veneers are available, you will need to schedule a second appointment to have them applied to your teeth.
Before applying the veneers, your dentist will first clean your teeth. This is important for removing any bacteria or food particles that might be stuck to the surface of your teeth. If your dentist ignores this part of the procedure, tooth decay could easily set in after installing the veneers.
Once this is done, your dentist will apply a special kind of dental cement to your teeth before applying the veneers. This will make sure that the veneers stick well and stay put. This cement tends to harden quite slowly.
For that reason, your dentist will likely use a special UV light to make the cement harden at a faster rate. This procedure should not be painful and it should not take any longer than 2 hours. Once you have your veneers, you will need to take care of them as you would your real teeth.
This means that you will need to brush and floss them on a regular basis. Otherwise, the veneers might start to get discolored or they might sustain damage, especially if you chew on hard substances such as peanuts or ice.
Types of Veneers You Should Know About
When comparing veneer costs, you'll want to know all about what makes different veneers unique. The different types of veneers not only differ in cost but also in appearance and durability. Of course, if you plan on having your veneers for a long time, durability is something that you'll want to keep in mind.
Porcelain veneers are perhaps the most common type of veneers. They are very realistic and they are also very versatile. You will find that they come in many different shapes and shades.
For that reason, they can fit just about anyone, regardless of mouth size or shape. This is important because if you get veneers that are the wrong size or shape for your mouth, they could look unnatural or strange. Your dentist will be able to help you decide what kind of veneers will look best on you.
Porcelain veneers in particular tend to look much more realistic compared to any other kind of veneers. If you want to match your veneers to the color of your real teeth, you won't have any problem doing so. You also won't have any problem choosing porcelain veneers that are much whiter than your real teeth.
The Lifespan and Cost of Porcelain Veneers
The great thing about porcelain veneers is that they are very durable. Many people find that these veneers can easily last 10 years and sometimes even 20. Of course, veneers will only last so long if you take good care of them.
If you often bite your nails, chew on ice, or open things with your mouth, your veneers might not last long at all, even if you get the most durable kind. As long as you take regular care of your teeth, you'll find that porcelain veneers will be worth it just for their longevity.
The only downside of these veneers is their cost. They tend to be more expensive than most other types of veneers. This is because they are so high quality and durable compared to other types.
This might be a problem if you're on a tight budget and don't want to spend too much on veneers. However, porcelain veneers are a great long-term investment. Even though you'll pay more money upfront, the cost will balance out over the decades that you have these veneers.
This is in contrast to other veneers that will surely chip or break over a shorter period of time.
Also, porcelain veneers will not damage your mouth in any way. Some cheaper types of veneers have a tendency to damage your gum tissue or irritate it in some way.
However, because porcelain veneers fit so well and because porcelain does not create any reactions in the body, they are famously comfortable. Keep this in mind if you have a sensitive mouth.
Composite Resin Veneers
Composite resin veneers are another very popular type of veneer. They are very similar to porcelain veneers in terms of appearance, but they do have some important differences. Composite resin is a material that is a mix of inorganic and organic ingredients.
The composite resin used for dental veneers is actually the same kind of resin used for dental fillings designed to match the color of your teeth. The great thing about composite resin veneers is that they can do a great job at matching your natural tooth color. And of course, if you want the veneers to be lighter than your natural tooth color, they can accomplish this as well.
Another benefit of these veneers is that they are very affordable, especially when you compare them to porcelain veneers. Many people who don't want to spend a fortune on veneers often opt for composite resin veneers. You can get almost all the benefits of porcelain veneers when you opt for composite resin veneers.
There are, however, some downsides. In particular, composite resin veneers don't last as long as porcelain veneers. This is because, as a material, composite resin isn't as strong.
After 5 to 10 years or so, you will find that your composite veneers will start to chip and not look as great as when you first got them. As a result, you will need to get them replaced. Composite resin is also more prone to staining over time compared to porcelain.
Lumineers
Lumineers are a particular type of veneers that may not be as popular as the previous two types but can still be very beneficial. They are made of porcelain laminate and are very thin. The great thing about these veneers is that your dentist doesn't have to remove as much of your real teeth before applying them.
This makes it so your real teeth stay in better shape, especially over time. These veneers are also very smooth and many people find them to be very comfortable for that reason. Lumineers are great for treating specific dental problems such as discolored teeth or teeth that are somehow misshapen.
Because your dentist will not have to prep your teeth as much for Lumineers, getting these veneers will be a faster process compared to veneers of other types. They are also reversible if you decide that you don't like how they look.
What You Need to Know About the Different Types of Veneers
There are many types of veneers you can choose from. From porcelain to composite resin and beyond, it shouldn't be difficult to find the right kind of veneer for you. All you need to do is consider what kind of look you want from your veneers and how much you're willing to spend.
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