Dental Veneers: Candidacy, Types and Procedure

A dental veneer is basically a layer of tooth-like material which is placed over the natural teeth. The procedure is aimed at improving the aesthetics of a tooth by covering damage, restoring the alignment and correcting the teeth shape. The treatment also serves to protect the surface of the teeth from further harm, which reduces the need for additional corrective procedures. If you are considering using this procedure for dental improvements, consider these details on candidacy, types and the procedure.

Candidacy

You should consult a qualified dentist on your candidacy for dental veneers. The professional will consider the dental health, the medical history and the condition of the enamel before determining whether the treatment will have the desired benefits. Most patients with good dental and periodontal health, as well as commitment to oral improvements, are ideal candidates for the treatment.

Veneers can be used to fix cosmetic problems such as teeth discolouration and dullness resulting from staining. They can also repair chips and cracks, which often occur due to the natural wear and tear of teeth. Other treatable problems include extra dental spacing, minor misalignments and irregularities in the shape of the teeth.

Types of Dental Veneers

There are two primary types of veneers in most dental practices: porcelain and composite resin. Porcelain veneers are popular because of their bright, enamel-like appearance. The ceramic shell layer, which is made of medical-grade material is usually fabricated indirectly in a laboratory. The technician will use a template impression of your teeth to craft custom veneers for your needs. Resin cement is typically used to create dental composite veneers in a similar procedure to the porcelain variant.

It is also possible for the dentist to directly apply the layer of composite on the teeth to correct minor problems such as minimal chipping, slight discolouration and some cracks. The procedure is known as bonding, and it is perfect if you want an affordable and minimally invasive alternative to the veneers.

The Procedure

The dentist will assess the suitability of the veneer before permanently attaching it to your tooth. The layer is usually placed temporarily on the tooth, and any discrepancies with regard to the desired shape or colour will be modified by trimming or with dental cement respectively. The pertinent teeth are cleaned and etched to create a good bonding base and the glue cement is used on the veneer. Finally, the layer is placed on the tooth in the correct position and curing light is applied to accelerate the hardening of the cement.