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Veneers – Everything about the natural smile
Veneers are wafer-thin (0.3-1 mm) veneering discs also called shells, which are equipped with a special adhesive and can be bonded to the teeth. In this way, the veneer enhances a broken or unaesthetic tooth. The material often used for this is glass and field ceramic or composite. In the following article you will learn everything you need to know about veneers.
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What are veneers?
Ceramic veneers are a popular way to make teeth look more beautiful. They conceal chipped teeth, tooth discolouration, gaps between teeth and crooked teeth. For this purpose, the dentist often uses ceramics to match the color of the veneers to the tooth enamel. The material also provides the necessary stability and bite resistance. The thin veneers are then bonded to the teeth using the adhesive technique.
The ahesive technique is a bonding technique in which thin liquid resin bonds the veneers to the tooth surface. It is also used for crowns and adhesive bridges.
Dental veneers are very popular and widely used due to their natural aesthetics as well as durability. Many actors and stars use them, which is why in many circles they are also called Hollywood Smile. However, there are not only aesthetic, but also medical reasons. They are medically useful when the incisor teeth are damaged, but in their substance still well preserved. This may consequently be the case with chipped teeth, damaged enamel or exposed necks of teeth.
Veneers types
There are two types of veneers that are particularly popular with dentists and patients:
- Conventional veneers require grinding of the affected tooth before bonding. The thin plates are made of ceramic and can be up to 1 mm thick. Subsequently impressions and measurements of the affected teeth are being made. The high-quality technology in the laboratory makes the adjustments of the veneers. The patient receives local anesthesia during the treatment.
- Non-Prep Veneers (also called Lumineers) do not require the grinding of the tooth. However, the adjustment of the shells is also performed in the Laboratory. Lumineers are a further development of conventional veneers. They are also thinner (0.3-0.5 mm) than their predecessor.
There are also two other types of veneers:
- Veneers-to-Go (Sofort-Veneers) consist of either ceramic or a ceramic mixture such as composite, for example. The veneers are fitted on site and not in the laboratory. However, minor grinding of the tooth is possible. The immediate procedure is cheaper and is performed in only one treatment session.
- Composite veneers are temporary veneers. They bridge the time until the conventional veneers are delivered from the laboratory. The wafer-thin shells consist of dental plastics. They are applied in just one treatment session, as are instant veneers.
Top reasons for veneers
Veneers are a widely used method to ensure that the teeth become more beautiful again. Thus, it is possible for any patient who wants a radiant and natural smile to receive the wafer-thin veneer discs. The esthetics of their own teeth is therefore the main priority for most patients. However, there are also important medical reasons for veneers. The top reasons for purchasing veneers are:
- Covering gaps between teeth
- Optical alignment of crooked teeth
- Match the tooth colour naturally and radiantly bright to the patient's wish
- Conceal defective tooth surfaces and chipping
- Treat enamel defects
If the incisors are damaged, but their substance is well preserved, then veneers are medically useful. In addition, they also help with gritted teeth. Often, grinding teeth and certain chewing movements put too much stress on the molars. Veneers change the shape of the teeth and thus achieve a natural bite position.
But beware, in certain cases veneers have disadvantages: Dental veneers are not suitable when biting the nails. Sports with the risk of tooth loss (fighting or ball sports) should also be avoided. Too large fillings make the tooth just as unstable.
Veneers treatment procedure
At the beginning a clarifying consultancy with qualified and experienced dentists important. You will discuss in the doctors office in which form the treatment is necessary:
- Which teeth are affected?
- What type of treatment is necessary?
- Which tooth shade is suitable?
Here the doctor can pay special attention to the patient wishes. As a part of the preparation, the teeth of the patient may get cleaned. Fillings may need to be renewed before the veneer treatment can proceed. The dentist then needs an imprint for a detailed impression of the tooth position. The laboratory uses this imprint to customize the high-quality veneers to the patient.
In preparation for the traditional veneers is it common to remove about 0.5 mm of the broken tooth surface with a special grinding method. Meanwhile the patient is locally anesthetized. The dentist then sticks the custom-made veneers onto the tooth surface. For this purpose the adhesive technique with a special glue is used.Between grinding and insertion of the veneers lay about 2 weeks. During this time the patient gets composite veneers for the transition.
Veneers durability
The durability can change depending on the patient and the type of veneer. Conventional ceramic veneers can last up to twenty years. In most cases, they do not lose their color. The University of Innsbruck did a study together with the AG-Keramik about the durability of veneers. The probability that veneers after 10 years of use, are still undamaged, is at 93,5%. After twenty years the probability still is at 82,93%. As long as biting on extremely hard objects or similar impacts are avoided, the thin veneering discs are durable for a long time. In general: The more oral hygiene, the longer the veneers will last.
What do veneers cost?
Of course, you want to know what veneers cost. Normally, the statutory health insurance does not cover any costs for aesthetic procedures. There are some special cases where the health insurance does pay some bills, but they do it very rarely. However, there are some options if you have a supplementary insurance or if you are a private patient.
A treatment carried out by qualified and experienced dentists costs between 900-2,000 euros per veneer. Would you like to learn more about the cost of veneers? Here you can find out everything about veneer costs and what you can do about it.
Veneers abroad
Disadvantages of veneers treatment occur especially through low quality and bad treatment. Above all, patients who have done their veneers abroad or ordered them online, often complain afterwards about low quality and pain. It is not uncommon for patients to come to Germany to have them renewed. Enamel removal can cause pain in the tooth at the consumption of hot or cold food. Don’t be fooled by tempting offers.
The internet has not only the weirdest spellings of veneers (veneera, veniers, veners, veener), but also many shady offers for veneers. Who cares about their health and quality should always consider qualified doctors and good a laboratory.
