What are ceramic veneers?
Dental veneers are thin ceramic shells that are placed just above the tooth to improve the shape, size or colour of the teeth. They are usually all three.
When describing them to patients, many dentists compare them to a contact lens and the eye, others to a mobile phone and its case...suffice it to say that it is just that, an external complement to the dental piece.
HOW DO THEY WORK?
Then, after taking measurements, the so-called mock-upa provisional removable that simulates the final result of the smile design chosen by the dentist and the patient, to try it out before the milling and fitting phase.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a veneer?
A veneer is a sheet of ceramic that we bond to the front of your teeth to improve their appearance, whether it is the shape, size or colour. Usually it is all three.
How is a veneer fitted?
Basically, what you should know is that it is a painless and minimally invasive process that basically consists of 'gluing' that thin film I was talking about onto the front surface of your teeth.
Patients eat the rest of the day's meals naturally, to give you an idea.
Does the tooth have to be ground?
Depending on the tooth on which the veneer is to be placed, little or no carving is done. We barely smooth out the shapes so that there are no right angles, peaks or areas that protrude excessively.
How long do veneers last?
It has been scientifically proven that porcelain veneers are the treatment that lasts the longest of all those that we dentists carry out. This is due to the fact that in most cases they are done on healthy, intact teeth in which the enamel is preserved. The veneer is nothing more than a ceramic that adheres to this enamel, so if basic care is followed, they will remain that way for years.
Can I eat anything?
Absolutely yes. With veneers you can and should do the same as you would have done before with your teeth and eat as normal.
I have heard that I need an unloading splint after veneers, is this true?
Absolutely true. The main reason for tooth wear is nocturnal clenching or bruxism, even more so than daily use. Therefore, for veneers to last the years I have mentioned, we must avoid their damaging effects. An unloading splint is placed between the upper and lower teeth, preventing wear and tear, as well as fractures in the veneers and premature ageing of the veneers.
Is orthodontics compulsory first?
If your teeth are well aligned, no, it is not necessary, but from time to time we come across patients who have altered the position and therefore the function of their front teeth. Veneers are aesthetics and orthodontics are function. If this function is not correct, we will have excessive and irregular contacts in the anterior teeth and the veneers will not work. In addition, when the teeth are not well aligned, we will not be able to respect what I said before about not grinding the teeth, since the teeth that are more vestibularised (outwards) will have to be ground down a lot to level them with the rest.
Can a tooth with a veneer be whitened?
Ideally we whiten teeth before a veneer treatment, to restore the natural colour of the tooth. Once the veneers are in place, we can repeat the whitening, this will be much more effective on the rest of the teeth without veneers, but the whitening will also "soak through" the veneers and whiten the tooth underneath, resulting in a renewed and natural effect.
Preparing the tooth for veneers: myths and realities
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