DENTAL VENEERS (PORCELAIN/CERAMIC AND COMPOSITE RESIN)
Veneers are wafer thin
laminates or shells of tooth colored material (which can be either
porcelain, ceramic or composite bonding material) that are
“cemented” to the front surface of teeth to improve their cosmetic
appearance. Many dentists use the analogy that dental veneers are
for your teeth what false finger nails are for your hands. In a
similar manner to how false finger nails are placed or glued to
your existing fingernails, veneers are bonded to the front of your
existing teeth.
Problems
which veneers can solve
There are a wide variety
of reasons why patients opt for treatment with dental veneers:
Stained Teeth - badly stained teeth that cannot be
improved by teeth whitening can greatly be improved by dental
veneers, which function to cover and "hide" any existing stains on
your natural teeth.
Damaged Teeth
- teeth that have either become badly worn with excessive
grinding, by carbonated drinks, or have been chipped or broken in
an accident can benefit from veneers. A small chip on a tooth can
quickly be repaired with
composite bonding or "composite veneers" which are one
and the same thing. A single damaged tooth can easily be repaired
with a single porcelain veneer that has the same characteristics
and color to match your surrounding teeth so that it looks
natural.
Gaps
- spaces or gaps (diastmas) between your teeth can be easily
closed using dental veneers giving you a more uniform looking
smile.
Crooked teeth
- although veneers are not the ideal treatment choice for crooked
teeth and from a point of view of preserving your natural teeth
structure orthodontics or
invisalign braces would probably a better solution.
However, treatments can take up to a year or longer with braces.
For teeth that are not severely crooked veneers placed over their
front surface will give a straight and perfectly aligned looking
smile. For this type of treatment many people refer to veneers as
"instant orthodontics" since you get a similar end result in a
fraction of the time.
Composite Veneers
vs Porcelain Veneers (IPS
Empress System)
The most popular type of veneers are
porcelain, which offer a stronger and more durable alternative to
its composite counterpart. Composite veneers are also more prone
to staining and do not last as long as porcelain veneers which
also offer more a natural looking, translucent tooth-like
appearance. Composite veneers are much cheaper than porcelain
veneers in general, but considering that they do not last as long
and need replacing more often they could end up costing more in
the long run. Composite work is ideal for small chips as this
treatment preserves more of your natural tooth structure.
Both porcelain veneers and composite
veneers can be fabricated by a dental technician in a dental
laboratory; composite veneers can also be directly fabricated
inside your mouth at the dental office.
Dental veneers that are indirectly fabricated — fabricated in a
dental laboratory — are bonded to the teeth with various types of
resin cement. Of the two options, porcelain veneers are longer
lasting and more expensive.
Made of Cerinate
porcelain, Lumineers are a new type of porcelain veneers. They are
contact lens-thin, roughly 0.2 mm thick. Little to no tooth
reduction in most cases is necessary with this type of veneer and
anesthetics or numbing shots are not needed.
Procedure of having
dental veneers
1. The first part of any
dental procedure is the initial consultation and examination so
that the dentist can get a feel for what you want and understand
your needs and concerns. The dentist should explain the treatment
procedure to you including an accurate guide to the likely costs
of your treatment.
2. Before your veneers
are designed your dentist will need to reshape and prepare the
front surfaces of your teeth so that they can accommodate the
veneers. The first stage is to numb the teeth and gums with a
local anesthesia so that you do not feel anything during the
procedure.
3. Using a special tool
called a burr (a dental drill or file) a tiny amount of the front
surface of your teeth will be shaved off. The amount removed
should be equivalent to the thickness of the veneer that will sit
over the top of the tooth.
4. Next an impression or
mould (copy) of your teeth is taken. A special dental "putty" is
placed into your mouth on a tray and pushed into your teeth so
that it takes an imprint of your teeth, similar to how you would
leave a footprint in sand.
5. This "impression" or
mould of your teeth is then sent to a dental laboratory. The
laboratory use the impression to cast an accurate model of your
teeth which is used as a guide to fabricate your new veneers, this
process can tae between one to three weeks.
6. whilst you are waiting
for your veneers to be fabricated your dentist you may be fitted
with some temporary veneers to protect your prepared teeth. Not
all dentists will offer temporary veneers.
7. On your second
appointment your dentist will fit your new veneers to your teeth.
First the dentist may just sit the teeth over your teeth to see
how they look with your smile and he or she may need to trim or
adjust the veneer.
8. Next your teeth will
be thoroughly cleaned and the front surfaces etched (roughened)
with a special acid gel so that they provide a good surface for
the dental cement to stick to.
9. The veneers are then
cemented into place and a special curing light is used to activate
the dental cement so that it permanently bonds the veneer to the
front surface of your prepared tooth. If there is any excess
cement it is usually trimmed away and polished to leave a
beautiful and natural looking restoration.
How long do dental
veneers last?
Porcelain veneers will typically last
between 5-10 years and composite veneers maybe a year or two at
the most. The bottom line is that eventually your veneers will
need to be replaced. Although veneers are strongly cemented into
place they have been cases where they come loose and fall off, in
such situations it is important that you keep hold of your veneer
and contact your dentist immediately. To make your veneers last
longer it is important to follow a good oral hygiene program and
also visit your dentist for check ups on a regular basis.
When are veneers appropriate?
Bonding often serves as an inexpensive and effective
restoration for small chips and cracks in the teeth. Such minor
problems may be functionally and cosmetically repaired with a
composite "white filling." A composite resin material is bonded to
the tooth in order to fill in the chip or crack and better protect
the surrounding tooth structure. But for more severe cases of
dullness, wear, discoloration, mild chipping, cracking, spacing,
or uneven teeth, dental veneers may be recommended as a more
appropriate solution.
Veneers or Whitening?
Tooth whitening may provide a white smile for mildly
discolored teeth. Some people who are interested in veneers will
find that their cosmetic dentist will steer them to the simpler alternative of
whitening, perhaps combined with some simple orthodontic
alignment. The placement of dental veneers requires the “shaping”
or “prepping” of all teeth being fitted with the custom-designed
shells. This process permanently alters the teeth that are treated
and is therefore not recommended if your natural teeth are
functionally and esthetically adequate.
If you have a severe case of dull or discolored teeth, you may
have to opt for dental veneers. Veneers do have the added benefits
of longevity and a proven ability to enhance the appearance of the
mouth, smile, and possibly other areas of an aged face that would
be better supported by properly shaped teeth. Although veneers
require a much larger commitment than teeth whitening, the results
are typically well worth it.
| Porcelain/Ceramic Veneer
(IPS Empress Esthetic) |
THB 10,000 per tooth |
| Porcelain/Ceramic Veneer
(IPS E.max) best quality |
THB 12,000 per tooth |
| Composite
Resin Veneer (Direct
Bonding) |
THB
2,500-3,000 per tooth |
