Veneers are made of either porcelain or composite resin.
Veneers are used to either protect the damaged surface of teeth or to make teeth look more attractive.
They have in the last few years become increasingly popular and are being preferred over procedures such as tooth whitening and crowing.
The Stages Of Getting Teeth Veneers
Getting veneers done is a multi-stage process which begins with an evaluation by the dentist.
The dentist will at this point determine whether or not you are a suitable candidate for veneers.
At this stage, the dentist will identify and address any oral health concerns before the veneer process begins.
After the concerns have been dealt with, the next stage is choosing the type of veneers you will be wanting.
The next stage is dependent on the type of dental veneers you and your dentist decide on.
Veneers can either be directly bonded on to the teeth or prefabricated in a lab before they are bonded onto the teeth (indirect bonding).
Composite resin veneers can either be directly bonded on indirectly bonded but porcelain veneers can only be pre-fabricated in the lab before being bonded to the teeth.
Direct bonding veneers can be referred to as teeth veneers while the indirect bonding veneers can be referred to as construction veneers.
If you are getting teeth veneers, the process is shorter.
The Preparation For Your Teeth Veneers
The dentist, after the evaluation and planning of treatment, will move on to preparing the tooth for bonding.
Preparation of the tooth involves having some of the tooth enamel shaved off using a hand held tool called a bur to create space for the veneer.
The amount shaved off is about the same thickness as that of the veneer. The tooth surface is then roughened using an etching solution.
The rough surface makes it easier for the bonding to take place. The composite resin in putty form is then applied directly on to the teeth.
An ultraviolet light source is used to dry the composite resin and once it is dry, the dentist sculpts and shapes it to the desired look.
Construction veneers, whether composite resin or porcelain, differ from teeth veneers from the tooth preparation stage.
Once the teeth are prepared, the dentist will take an impression of your teeth.
This is taken to a dental laboratory where the mold of your teeth is used to construct veneers.
While waiting for your veneers to be constructed, the dentist may place temporary veneers.
Once the veneers are ready, your dentist will clean and etch the teeth before bonding the construction veneers. Teeth veneers are usually less costly than construction veneers.
