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Image credit: Gage Skidmore
Natasha has been feeling self-conscious about her looks especially when she smiles. Although she was on teeth whitening treatment to brighten her teeth, she is still unsatisfied with the stains which remained on her teeth. Thus, her dentist suggested dental veneers as another option to improve the appearance.
What are dental veneers?
According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, dental veneers are thin pieces of porcelain covering the front side of the teeth. Dentists use these veneers to recreate the natural look of your teeth, while providing strength and resilience similar to natural tooth enamel. They are bonded to the front of your teeth thus altering the colour, shape, size or length of your teeth.
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The most commonly used materials for dental veneers are the conventional porcelain veneer and composite resin veneers. Porcelain veneers generally resist stains better than resin ones and look more natural under light reflection. These veneers can usually last anywhere from 10 to 20 years.
Are dental veneers right for me?
Most of the time, getting dental veneers is an aesthetic procedure but also a serious and costly procedure. Thus, you may want to consider before deciding if the procedure is right for you. Dentists use veneers to routinely manage:
- Discoloured or stained teeth, such as those caused by root canal treatment, tetracycline or other drugs, fluorosis, or presence of large composite fillings that have discoloured the tooth
Fluorosis. Image source
- Worn teeth
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Misaligned, irregular shaped teeth
- To close the gap between teeth
What is the procedure like?
The procedure of dental veneers usually requires two to three trips to the dentist, which include consultation, preparing and placing the veneers. The consultation usually involves clinical examination and making impressions of your mouth and teeth. Importantly, let the dentist know your main concern, so he or she can cater an appropriate treatment plan for you.
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To prepare a tooth for a veneer, your dentist will remove a thin layer of enamel from the tooth surface for addition of the thickness of the veneer. Depending on your tolerance to sensitivity, if needed, your dentist can use local anaesthesia. Occasionally, some types of veneers do not need any preparation at all. Otherwise, the dentist will make an impression of the prepared tooth send it to the laboratory for fabrication. A temporary veneer will be placed on the tooth in the meantime.
Before placing the veneer, your dentist will temporarily place it on your tooth to examine the fit and colour. The veneer will then be bonded onto the tooth surface with a special cement. Follow up visits may be required to check how your gums are responding to the veneer and any adjustments needed.
Are there other alternatives to dental veneers?
Porcelain veneers are a great option in situations where the original teeth have poor shape, colour and contours. They are conservative, restore natural tooth function and even create a better appearance than the original tooth.
There are also other possible alternatives to dental veneers. For instance, a tooth-coloured filling material as an option to repair the tooth. However, it may not work so well for broken tooth corners and may not look as aesthetically pleasing as veneers. In some situations, crowns may be indicated, when teeth are broken or weakened by a large filling. Nevertheless, it is important to seek for treatment from a licensed dentist to ensure proper management.
Lately, there has been a rise in “cosmetic teeth whitening service” provided by beauticians. However, these so-called teeth whitening procedures not only harm your teeth, they also cause detrimental harm to your gums. Visit a dental clinic for appropriate treatments with properly sterilised equipments and correct technique to avoid problems in the future.
Conclusion
Dental veneers are a quick way to achieve a beautiful smile. Nevertheless, they are an irreversible procedure thus it is important to think through and seek for opinions before getting the treatment. If you decide to have veneers done, consult your dentist to understand the process and aftercare. With a beautiful smile, you can increase both your confidence and well-being.
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by Soh May Leng
Born and raised in Malaysia, May Leng obtained her Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Otago, New Zealand. She has joined the GetDoc team to relay valuable health information to the public. Staying active plays a big part in her daily life especially through outdoor sports such as running and swimming. She also enjoys travelling and has a passion for photography. View all articles by Soh May Leng.
