Are you having problems with the appearance of your teeth? Do you want to get back your bright and beautiful smile? There are several things that dentists can do, but so far, one of the most popular solutions today is veneers. However, what is a veneer, and what are they made of? Read on to learn more about them.
What are Veneers?
Veneers are coverings that fit the front of your teeth. It’s a substance that completely covers the surface of your teeth to make them appear whiter and cleaner. Usually, they are done by technicians and are made of several materials like ceramic, porcelain, etc. Dental veneers are cosmetic, and the procedure is minimally invasive. So when is it an excellent time to get dental veneers? If you want a more beautiful smile, it’s good enough. However, most people want to cover up faults in their teeth like:
- Broken and chipped teeth
- Stains that don’t improve with whitening
- Small teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Diastema
You might be wondering, what is the difference between crowns and veneers? Veneers only cover the front surface of your teeth. It’s like a mask made with different materials. On the other hand, a dental crown covers the entirety of the teeth, both front, top, and back. Veneers are mostly cosmetic, while crowns are used to improve the teeth’ structure. If you want to look into how the veneers work deeply, there are a lot of videos detailing how they work.
You can even look into Dental & Skin before and after veneers to see what the teeth look like before and after the procedure. While crowns can also be used to improve the appearance of the teeth, their primary purpose is to restore the teeth. And also the pricing. Crowns are usually more expensive than veneers. With all that said, let’s get back to veneers. As mentioned earlier, veneers are made with different materials. Here are some of them.
Ceramic Veneers
Ceramic veneers like the E-max are among the most popular types of veneers that people opt for when they go to the dentist. This type of veneer is made of lithium disilicate glass ceramic. They are popular because of their natural aesthetics, durability, and strength. They’re believed to last for more than a decade before a need for replacement. It can even last longer if you have proper dental care without having any dental complications.
Not only that, but they are also translucent, making them pretty much impossible to differentiate from your teeth, especially from a few feet away. They are also stain-resistant, making them easier to maintain for a long time. However, note that their application process is lengthier, and they are prone to chips and breaks if you’re not careful enough.
Porcelain Veneers
One of the most common ones out there is porcelain veneers. They are easy to find and can be found in a dental clinic near you. They are made from feldspar, which is a naturally occurring ceramic. Feldspar porcelain is translucent, making them pretty much impossible to distinguish and giving them a more natural look when applied to your teeth.
Other advantages of porcelain veneers are they are stain-resistant, more prone to chips and breaks, unlike other types of veneers, and don’t discolor easily. They are pretty much like E-max veneers, but much cheaper and easier to find. However, they also have cons, like a long preparation process and an application process.
Lumineers
Lumineers are a popular type of alternative veneers used to reshape your teeth, but not to the same extent as crowns. If you can’t afford porcelain and ceramic veneers, lumineers are an excellent alternative to them. These veneers are very thin and translucent, making them blend in well with the rest of your teeth.
They also last for up to 10 years. You can also reverse the procedure if you want them removed for replacement. But of course, there are downsides. For example, they are more prone to chips and breaks since they are very thin. There’s also a huge chance of detachment if they’re not appropriately applied, and because of their thinness, dark spots can come through.
Composite Veneers
Another excellent alternative for porcelain and ceramic veneers is composite veneers. They are much cheaper and much quicker to apply. The main component of composite veneers is resin, which is known to be a tooth-colored dental restoration material. However, they are mostly only used as temporary veneers because of their short lifespan.
They are more prone to scratches, fractures, stains, and chipping. They are also called same-day veneers since the procedure can be as fast as a day if you go to the dental clinic early enough.
Final Words
If you’re having problems with your teeth regarding their appearance, one thing you can do about it is to get veneers. Dental veneers are less invasive and much cheaper than crowns. However, crowns are more optimal for caring for your teeth’s structure and overall health. But if you want a bright smile but can’t because of the problems mentioned above, dental veneers are fitter for you.
