Veneers on teeth

Dental veneers

A beautiful and attractive smile is impossible without even white teeth. Not everyone has naturally perfect teeth, but aesthetic dentistry offers an effective solution to this problem. Dentists recommend paying attention to veneers. These are thin plates that allow you to preserve the naturalness of your smile and improve the aesthetics of your dentition.

What are veneers

Veneers are one of the types of microprosthetics used in aesthetic dentistry. Veneers are thin and durable plates that are attached to the outer surface of the tooth. The procedure is used to correct imperfections, so in most cases veneers are installed only in the smile area. These are 8-10 front teeth, on both jaws, less often only on the upper one.

The quality and price of veneers depend on the material they are made of. Options:

• Composite materials. They can be installed directly, that is, directly in the patient's mouth at the first visit. This option has a short service life (up to 5-7 years). Composite structures require regular dental care. They change color during operation.

• Ceramic ones. They are made of porcelain, glass ceramics, zirconium, and special ceramics. They are made in the dental laboratory according to individual casts. It is possible to choose any shade, including one that is as close as possible to your own teeth color. Ceramic veneers are durable, reliable, and look more aesthetically pleasing than composite veneers.

Before installing veneers, it is usually necessary to grind the tooth to ensure better adhesion of the plate to the surface. But there are also ultrathin veneers — ultraneers, only 0.1-0.3 mm thick. Ultra-thin ceramic plates do not require dental preparation. This type is recommended for patients who want to preserve their enamel as much as possible.

Modern materials make it possible to make microprostheses indistinguishable from natural teeth. Ceramic veneers repeat the natural microrelief, have smooth color transitions, and mimic the natural transparency of the cutting edge. The pads are invisible in the mouth, and the smile looks natural.

The desire to make your smile beautiful is the main indication for starting work with a dentist. Sometimes a specialist may suggest veneers, even if the patient has not yet thought about this type of correction. Possible indications for installation:

• discoloration of the enamel, which bleaching procedures cannot cope with;

• interdental spaces;

• wedge-shaped dental defects;

• The "gingery" smile;

• chipped teeth;

• the irregular shape of one or more teeth in a row;

• erosion of enamel.

In some cases, the doctor may refuse to install veneers and suggest a different strategy. There are contraindications for which micro-prosthetics are not performed:

• dental decay;

• pulpitis;

• paradontitis, paradontosis (gum disease);

• Bruxism (gnashing of teeth);

• tooth wall destruction;

• large fillings (up to 40-50% of the tooth area);

• Missing several chewing teeth;

• malocclusion.

Some of these contraindications are relative. They can be eliminated, and then return to installing veneers. For example, you can first cure caries and correct malocclusion. Veneers are primarily an aesthetic solution. Before installing them, the oral cavity must be prepared accordingly.

Veneers can be installed in two or three visits to the dentist. It all depends on what exactly the patient wants to receive, and the condition of the teeth. The specialist develops an individual scheme of microprosthetics based on medical history.

At the first appointment, the doctor conducts an examination, draws up a correction plan and prescribes treatment, if necessary. Professional oral hygiene is also performed before installation. Bleaching is sometimes recommended. Then casts are taken from the teeth, which are used in the laboratory to make individual pads.

At the second stage, a fitting is performed. The specialist may suggest temporary pads that are installed for several days to help the patient make a decision. The correction of finished veneers is also performed at this stage.

The final step is to install the plates directly. Veneers are attached to the teeth with a special adhesive compound. Immediately after that, the patient can return to normal life.

How to care for veneers

Microprostheses do not require specific care. Careful self-hygiene and regular visits to the dentist are enough to carry out professional cleaning. To make veneers last a long time, doctors recommend:

1. Use soft toothbrushes and a paste without abrasives (non-whitening). This will protect the surface from scratches and microcracks.
2. Use an irrigator to clean the interdental space. This is a device that delivers a jet of pressurized water, flushes out food residues and removes plaque.
3. Do not bite off solid food with your front teeth, or nibble on nuts or seeds. This will help to avoid mechanical damage to the coating. Solid food should be cut into small pieces.
4. Avoid sudden changes in the temperature of the food consumed. It is undesirable to wash down hot dishes with cold drinks. This causes microcracks and damage to the material.
5. Avoid coloring foods and drinks. This is especially important for composite veneers, which change color over time.

Occupational hygiene is performed every 3-6 months. You should also consult a doctor immediately if you feel the instability of the structure, gaps in the attachment point, or roughness. Urgent treatment is required for bleeding or soreness of the gums, the appearance of caries.

Entrust the installation of veneers to professionals. The specialists of the EMC clinic were the first in Russia to start installing veneers and have accumulated extensive experience in aesthetic dentistry. Leave a request in a special form or make an appointment by phone to become the owner of the perfect smile.

Links to expert sources

1. Veneers: composite and ceramic
2. Microprostheses of the anterior group of teeth and justification of the choice of aesthetic design

References

1. Yudina N.A. Clinical stages of direct composite restoration of front teeth (veneers, components) // Modern Dentistry, No. 1 (58), 2014
2. Kogos O.O., Sokurenko S.V., Nikeytsev D.V. Aesthetic rehabilitation of a smile using ceramic veneers // Chief Physician of the South of Russia, No. 3 (67), 2019
3. Odontopreparation in the treatment of veneers and ceramic crowns / S.D. Arutyunov, A.I. Lebedenko, T.E. Glebova, I.Yu., Lebedenko — M.: Molodaya Gvardiya, 2008.
4. Wei SH, Tang E. Laminate veneers for the aesthetic restoration of anterior teeth. Ann R Australas Coll Dent Surg. 1989 Oct;10:148-59. PMID: 2489014.