An essential requirement for a charming, picture-perfect smile is pearly white teeth. While some naturally have milky white and are perfectly aligned, others are not that fortunate. If you have stained or chipped teeth that make you feel self-conscious, don’t worry; teeth veneers or also known as dental veneers can help you eliminate your facial defects and let you enjoy your dream smile.
What are teeth veneers?
According to the Ministry of Health, Malaysia, teeth veneers are ultra-thin shells made of a tooth-coloured, resin-based material bonded to the front surface of damaged teeth to restore their aesthetics, structure, and function. They are made of two types of materials: composite resins, and porcelains.
Who can benefit from teeth veneers?
Veneers can be used for fixing a variety of cosmetic and restorative teeth issues, such as:
- To mask permanent tooth stains that cannot be removed through professional teeth whitening
- To restore the shape and aesthetics of chipped or crooked teeth
- To restore congenitally de-shaped teeth
- To cosmetically fix mild tooth crowding or excessive gaps between teeth as an alternative to braces
- Veneers are also commonly used in complete smile makeovers
Types of teeth veneers
There are three types of teeth veneers; composite veneer, componeer, porcelain veneer and each of them has their own characteristics.
- Composite veneers are made of tooth-coloured polymeric resins. The procedure for composite veneers is straightforward and can usually be carried out in a single sitting. Composite veneers are also known as direct restorations as they are placed directly onto the prepared teeth at the teeth chairside.
- Componeer veneers are polymerised, prefabricated nano-hybrid-composite enamel shells that combine the advantages of direct composite restorations with the advantages of prefabricated veneers. It is stronger and has a better finishing compared to composite veneers. This too can be carried out in a single sitting.
- Porcelain veneers are a type of medical-grade ceramic shell that covers the front surface of the natural teeth. Porcelain veneers are made specifically for each patient to ensure a perfect fit. The advanced materials look very much like the natural teeth enamel. Due to their lifelike and natural appearance, and their multitude of uses, porcelain veneers are among the most popular and reputable cosmetic dentistry procedures.
How are teeth veneers prepared?
- Clinical examination – at your first appointment, your dentist will perform a thorough clinical examination of your teeth and assess whether you are a suitable candidate for getting veneers.
- Tooth preparation – next, they will remove a thin layer of the outer enamel of the teeth that need to be veneered. This creates space for bonding the veneers to the prepared teeth. This process is known as tooth preparation. Don’t worry; tooth preparation won’t make your teeth sensitive, as only a thin enamel layer is removed. Also, in most cases, there is no need to administer local anesthesia.
- Veneer bonding – after tooth preparation, your dentist will apply the composite resin on the prepared teeth in small increments. Each increment will be shaped accordingly and hardened using a special light until the entire tooth’s structure and aesthetics have been restored. The shade of the veneer is matched precisely with the adjacent natural teeth so that the veneered teeth blend in perfectly and are virtually indistinguishable.
- Finishing and Polishing – after the veneer has been shaped appropriately, your dentist will use special instruments to polish the restoration. The purpose is to enhance the aesthetics and prevent the formation of plaque and tartar deposits that may increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
That’s it. Enjoy your brand-new smile with veneers!
Teeth veneers pros and cons
Like every other teeth restoration or prosthesis, teeth veneers have their own merits and demerits:
Pros
Some of the benefits of veneers are:
- Durability – Veneers are fabricated under controlled conditions. Hence, they are more durable than direct bonded restorations.
- Superior aesthetics – compared to direct composite fillings, dental veneers possess superior aesthetics. That is why many celebrities prefer composite or porcelain veneers for their smile makeovers.
- Stain resistance – teeth veneers are more stain-resistant than conventional composite restorations.
- Repairability – it may be possible to repair minor structural defects on veneers, such as chips or cracks.
Cons
The drawbacks of teeth veneers include the following:
- Cannot be whitened – if your veneers get stained, they cannot be whitened through professional teeth whitening. This is because the surface of composite veneers is different from natural teeth. As a result, the bleaching agent used in teeth whitening is not effective on them. So, the only option to restore the aesthetics of stained veneers is to repair or replace them with fresh ones.
- Higher cost – composite veneers tend to be more costly than direct bonded restorations. However, composite and componeers are not as expensive as porcelain veneers.
How long do veneers last?
The average lifetime of dental veneers depends on many factors, such as the quality of the material used, the dentist’s skill, and other patient-related factors, such as oral hygiene maintenance and diet management.
However, dental veneers tend to last for ten years on average 2. Again, one can significantly enhance their clinical lifetime by improving their oral hygiene and visiting their dentist regularly for checkups.
How to look after my veneers?
Teeth veneers demand the same care as natural teeth; one should brush their teeth twice a day and floss at least once daily. This prevents plaque and tartar deposition and minimizes the risk of veneer staining.
Another way to prevent the staining of veneers is to eat a tooth-friendly, fiber-rich diet containing green vegetables and fruits. At the same time, visiting your dentist for regular checkups also ensures that any problem with your veneers is detected timely and treated before it can cause permanent damage that requires veneer replacement.
Teeth veneers price
The price of teeth veneers at Stellar Dental depends on the choice of material you want which ranges from RM450 – RM2600.
- Composite: RM450 per tooth
- Componeer: RM1000 per tooth
- Porcelain: RM2600 per tooth
We also provide a package price if you require more than 6 dental veneers.
Final words
Don’t let your stained teeth make you feel underconfident! Teeth veneers are an excellent solution for fixing damaged, stained, or minor crooked teeth. Interested in getting veneers? Meet our dentists in PJ today to discuss the possibility of rejuvenating your smile with teeth veneers and walk away with a smile that brings the best out of your personality!
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