What do we mean by dental veneers?
A dental veneer is a thin layer in the colour of natural teeth, bonded to the front surface of the teeth in order to conceal certain tooth defects or to hide any fractures and to obtain a more beautiful appearance for the mouth. It is a layer that does not last in use for more than 15 years, after which it is replaced with another.
Dentists give this layer various names, among them: dental veneer, tooth shell, ceramic shell or porcelain laminates. Cosmetic dentists take care to have before-and-after veneer photographs — that is, before fitting and after — to demonstrate the success of the procedure and that the person has obtained an attractive smile and a more beautiful face.
What problems do dental veneers treat?
1 — Gaps between the teeth that spoil the appearance of the mouth
2 — Fracture of the front teeth
3 — Lack of harmony in the shape of the teeth
4 — Discolouration of the teeth to a dark yellow, caused by smoking and by drinking tea and coffee, which cleaning and scaling procedures cannot remedy.
Removable dental veneers
The removable veneer is a cosmetic outer layer made from resin, bonded onto the front teeth that are damaged as a result of decay or fracture.
The removable dental veneer is one of the easiest methods of cosmetic dentistry, because fitting it requires no drilling or filing of the teeth, and so the fitting procedure is painless.
The removable dental veneer is notable for being easy to use and easy to clean.
The removable veneer is also considered an alternative to the fixed veneer, given its lower price.
How do we look after the removable veneer?
Dentists advise against eating or drinking while the removable veneer is in place, in order to avoid bacteria arising from food residue, and also so that pigmented drinks such as tea and coffee do not affect it.
Attend to cleaning the removable veneer by placing it in the cleaning solution designated for it, and by using the dedicated cleaning brush, which is made of silicone.
Do you know what dental veneers are made from?
Dental veneers are made from resin, or from porcelain — which, compared with resin, is notable for its ability to resist tooth stains caused by pigmenting substances — as well as for its range of shades, which resemble the colours of natural teeth and suit all teeth.
Types of dental veneers
Veneer: a dental veneer made from porcelain, notable for its strength and near-natural appearance, and for its resistance to staining and discolouration.
Lumineers: the Lumineer is one of the types of dental veneer, and it does not require much effort in preparation for fitting compared with the traditional type. For that reason dentists have called them no-prep veneers.
Empress: another type of dental veneer, made from pressed glass ceramic. It is notable for its range of colours, which suit all teeth and give the appearance closest to natural teeth.
Advantages of dental veneers
1 — Notable for its ability to treat broken teeth and preserve what remains of them
2 — They give the teeth the desired aesthetic shape.
3 — Concealing tooth defects and overcoming the problem of a lack of harmony between the teeth, or of cracks.
4 — It eliminates the problem of staining that affects the teeth, spoils their appearance and is difficult to remove.
5 — They eliminate the problem of gaps between the teeth and give them a harmonious appearance.
6 — They give the attractive Hollywood smile.
7 — It does not affect the gums, nor does the material the veneers are made from cause inflammation in them
8 — The variety of shades gives the opportunity to obtain the shade that suits the colour of the natural teeth.
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Steps to be taken before fitting dental veneers
1 — Visiting the dentist for examination and consultation and to learn about the procedures of the veneer fitting process.
2 — Taking X-rays of the teeth in order to establish their condition and confirm that there are no problems that would impede the fitting process.
3 — If any inflammation or gum pockets are discovered, they must be treated first, before the veneers are fitted.
Stages of fitting dental veneers:
1 — At the outset the dentist removes a portion of tooth enamel equal to the thickness of the veneer, then takes an impression of the teeth with a special mould and sends it to the dental laboratory specialising in manufacturing veneers.
2 — The laboratory specialising in prosthetics manufactures the veneers according to the measurements of the model sent and the material the veneers are required to be prepared from; the process may take around two weeks.
3 — After that the fitting stage begins, confirming that they are suitable in terms of size, colour and fit and that there is no excess material. Before the final bonding, the dentist cleans the teeth thoroughly to ensure that bacteria do not grow between the teeth and the veneers.
4 — The dentist then warms the tooth surface, applies the adhesive material and fits the veneer, after which it is set by directing ultraviolet light at it to dry the adhesive completely.
After the veneer is fitted we reach the stage of confirming the success of the procedure and that the person has acquired a beautiful appearance and a captivating smile; this stage may be called dental veneers before and after.
Cost
The price of fitting veneers is among the relatively expensive cosmetic procedures, and it is determined according to several factors, the most prominent of which are the following:
- The number of teeth and molars to be treated and fitted with veneers.
- The material the veneers are made from
- The type of veneer — fixed or removable — since removable veneer prices are considered lower than fixed veneers
- The dentist's competence and experience in the field of cosmetic dentistry
- The standard of the clinic or medical centre in which the veneers are fitted.
- Whether health insurance provides cover
Advice for caring for the teeth after veneers are fitted
1 — Take care to clean the teeth using a suitable medical toothbrush and toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
2 — Use dental floss to clean the gaps between the teeth, along with mouthwash.
3 — Avoid causes of tooth staining such as tea, coffee and smoking.
Finally, to obtain a more beautiful smile with a guarantee of excellent materials, we recommend Dr. Amr Helmi, member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the best dentist in Giza.
