Are you ready to transform your smile and boost your self-esteem? Veneers might be the solution you're seeking. These thin, custom-made shells can work wonders for your teeth, providing a natural and dazzling upgrade. Say goodbye to discolouration, minor flaws, or gaps, and say hello to a stunning, long-lasting smile makeover.
Porcelain veneer treatment is a cosmetic dental procedure that involves the application of thin layers of porcelain material to the teeth. These veneers are custom-made to improve the shape, colour, length, and proportions of the teeth. Here is more detailed information about the porcelain veneer treatment
Why is Veneer Treatment Required?
Veneer treatment is required to enhance the aesthetics of the teeth. It is commonly used to improve the appearance of teeth that are discoloured, misshapen, chipped, or have gaps between them. Veneers can provide a natural-looking and durable solution to these cosmetic issues.
What Does the Treatment Involve?
Planning Phase: This phase involves taking photographs, radiographs, and making study models of the teeth. A wax-up is created to show how the veneers will improve the teeth's shape and proportions. Gum surgery (crown lengthening) may be required in some cases to correct the symmetry and shapes of the gums and lengths of the teeth.
Teeth Preparation: The teeth are prepared by removing a minimal amount of enamel. Temporary veneers, based on the wax-up, are placed on the prepared teeth.
Impressions and Shade Matching: Impressions of the prepared teeth are taken, and the shade is matched. These are sent to the dental lab for the fabrication of the permanent veneers.
Final Fitting: After 3-4 weeks, the temporary veneers are removed, and the permanent veneers are cemented in place.
Does Veneer Preparation Hurt?
The preparation of teeth for veneers is typically done under local anaesthesia, so the procedure itself should not be painful. It is similar to the sensation of having a routine dental filling.
How Long Does the Treatment Take?
The time needed for veneer treatment can vary. The planning phase can add to the overall duration. Once the planning is complete, teeth preparation can usually be done in a single visit. The definitive veneers are placed after 3-4 weeks.
What are the Alternative Treatments to Veneers?
Alternative treatments for veneers include orthodontics (braces or clear aligners), dental crowns, and teeth whitening. The choice of treatment depends on individual needs and conditions.
What are the Possible Complications?
Some potential complications and risks associated with veneer treatment include:
Pain, swelling, numbness, or tingling in the mouth.
Sensitivity of the teeth after preparation.
Pulpitis(nerve inflammation) leads to possible root canal treatment.
Soreness or irritation of the gums.
Fractures or chips to the veneers.
Recurrent tooth decay under veneers.
Food impaction between veneers.
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
Unhappiness with the aesthetics after veneers are cemented.
Debonding of veneers, particularly in patients with clenching habits.
Does It Hurt After Veneer Preparation?
It is normal to experience some pain or discomfort for a few days after veneer preparation. Painkillers and time typically resolve this discomfort.
What Other Treatments Maybe Required Alongside Veneers?
Depending on the individual case, treatments such as orthodontics, occlusal splints for bruxism prevention, gum treatments to correct the shape and show of teeth, or whitening may be required alongside veneers to achieve the desired results.
What Are The Common Materials for Veneers?
The most common material for veneers is a type of porcelain, with emax or 'lithium disilicate' being a preferred choice due to its aesthetics. In some cases, we may use a prep-less veneer and we may use 'feldspathic porcelain ' in such cases.
How Long Do Veneers Last?
The longevity of veneers can vary, but studies have shown that porcelain veneers have a high survival rate. In a study by Dumfahrt and Schaffer. et.al - 2000, evaluated 191 veneers over 10 years and found an estimated survival probability over a period of 10 years is 91% and 6 of the 7 veneers that failed were partially bonded to dentin. So the risk of issues may increase when veneers are bonded to dentin, so I always strive to hold onto as much enamel as possible.Beier. et.al- 2012, evaluated 318 Porcelain laminate veneers and found that they offer a predictable and successful restoration with an estimated survival probability of 93.5% over 10 years. Significantly increased failure rates were associated with bruxism( grinding ) and nonvital teeth, and marginal discolouration was worse in patients who smoked.
Proper care, good oral hygiene, and regular dental check-ups can help extend the lifespan of veneers.
You can see the photos of veneer cases I have done with minimal or no preparation in the patient stories section under veneers. It is very important that a dentist show their work on the amount of preparation done rather than just showing the work done by the laboratory technicians as before and after.
The amount of tooth reduction or preparation dictates how long the tooth and the restoration will last. When veneers are bonded to enamel the longevity is very different to, if all the enamel is prepared and the veneers are bonded to the dentin. It is also very damaging for the teeth to have extensive preparation, like the ones seen in the 'Katie Price' video. The amount of preparation in this video is even worse than what is needed for crowns, and such preparations will lead to loss of tooth vitality (or teeth will become dead ) and will need a root canal treatment (RCT) or may even end up needing an extraction.
Choose your treatments and your dentists wisely.
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