Different restorative techniques have been developed in dentistry. At present, various dentists are using adhesive technologies to preserve the structure of a tooth as much as feasible while considering the patient’s aesthetic desire and restorative demands. Dental veneers are the best way developed to improve the structure and look of the tooth. Their appearance is just like natural teeth. This is the best restorative option adopted by patients with dental defects like stained teeth which cannot be whitened by bleaching, chipped teeth, worn teeth, misshapen or curved teeth, or large gaps between teeth, especially upper front teeth. Dental veneers are thin layers of compound material or dental porcelain adhered to the surface of teeth to give a more classically aesthetic shape and look to teeth.
Different kinds of veneers are available which can be chosen by patients. Your dentist gives you good advice on which one is best for you! Dental veneers make your smile more attractive.
Mainly there are three types of veneers
1- Porcelain veneers
2- Lumineers
3- Composite resin veneers
1- Porcelain veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin layers made of porcelain adhered to the front surface of the tooth. There are many reasons behind the use of porcelain as a material, like long-lasting, natural looking, strong, lucid and attractive. This is the most common type that is used as a veneer.
In the case of a ready-made porcelain veneer, it is done in one appointment, a customized veneer takes two appointments.
2- Lumineers
Lumineers are a special type of veneer composed of patented cerinate porcelain. It is very strong and much thinner than a traditionally prepared porcelain veneer. Their thickness is comparable with contact lenses. There is no need to remove the structure of teeth to place the veneer. In about two weeks veneers are placed on teeth. Lumineers directly adhere to the surface of the teeth, the bond between tooth and veneer is very strong. Lumineers are durable and long lasting up to twenty years or more. Lumineers are a reversible process.
Lumineers involve two techniques
1- The Lumineers non preparation technique
In this procedure the Lumineers are directly placed on the surface of the tooth without removing any of the structure of the tooth. So anesthesia is not needed.
2- The Lumineers minimal contouring technique
This procedure involves slight modification of the tooth surface (enamel) but never touches dentin during the placement of Lumineers. Only 0.3mm-0.5mm thickness of enamel is removed, almost no sensitivity to the patient and also no need of anesthesia.
3- Composite resin veneers
Composite resin veneer is a type of veneer which is made of filling material of tooth color which adhere to the surface of teeth. In this process a lesser amount of enamel is removed as compared to crowns or porcelain veneers and involve less visits to the dentist, sometimes just one time. These are less expensive than normal porcelain veneers. It can be fixed easily if it gets damaged. These are less strong and have less wear resistance than porcelain veneers. Composite resin veneer can easily and quickly be repaired.
Highly quality technologies have developed to adhere the resin material to the surface of the teeth. Multi step restorative processes are developed to improve the unaesthetic look of teeth and make your smile more attractive and beautiful. Tooth discoloration can be masked through the use of resin veneers and correct the unaesthetic shape and appearance of the tooth. The longevity of the composite is limited due to high susceptibility to discoloration, wear and marginal fractures, therefore lessening the aesthetic results. Porcelain veneers show more durable and superior aesthetics. Laminate veneers are also used to restore aesthetic problems. Some factors prevent the placement of laminate veneers like highly mal-positioned teeth, occurrence of soft tissue disease and extensive restorations. During high risk clinical conditions, another type of glass ceramics must be considered. When significant enamel is remaining another type, feldspathic veneers are used for anterior teeth.
