Porcelain veneers are thin ceramic shells which are applied to the outer surface of teeth to improve a patient's smile. This is considered a cosmetic dental procedure, and not typically covered by insurance. Veneers available today more closely mimic natural tooth appearance than those of the past. The application of porcelain veneers is more involved than tooth bonding, but generally considered less complex than the procedure of getting crowns.
Function
A patient may consider porcelain veneers to improve the appearance of mildly-chipped or cracked teeth, or teeth that are discolored due to root canal procedures, drug reaction stains, fluoride discoloration, or stains from age or diet. Veneers are also an option for those with uneven or abnormally-shaped teeth, like those with bumps or dents, or teeth that are improperly spaced.
Types
Porcelain veneers differ from resin veneers in a few ways. First, porcelain ones reflect light in a way that seems more like natural teeth. Resin typically results in less enamel, or tooth surface requiring removal. Porcelain veneers resist stains better than resin because porcelain is less porous than resin composite materials. Resin veneers may be done in the dentist office instead of requiring the use of a dental lab.
Time Frame
The usual process for getting porcelain veneers takes three visits to the dentist. The initial visit will involve consultation, where a patient will let the dentist know what results are hoped for and the dentist will inform the patient of all possible procedures and pros and cons of each one.
The second visit will encompass preparing the teeth for the veneer placement. Generally, the teeth will need buffing to allow for the thin shell-like layer of veneer to be applied. An average amount of tooth enamel removed is approximately half a millimeter. This might require local anesthesia, depending on the patient's sensitivity and tooth thickness. The teeth will need to have a mold taken of them, and then have it sent off to a dental lab. In the meantime, a temporary veneer may be applied if the teeth are extremely unsightly after the preparation is done. The wait for the lab to get the new veneers back to the dental office may be several days to a couple weeks.
The last visit is where the dentist actually applies the veneers to the teeth. The dentist will apply and remove the veneers a number of times, to adjust them for shape and color and fit. Once they are finally set in place, a special light is administered to harden the cement used to fix the veneers to the tooth surface.
Sometimes a dentist will require another visit, to check on the impact of the veneers on the overall dental health of the patient, particularly looking at the gums.
Effects
After a patient has received porcelain veneers, immediate results are noticeable. The teeth appear more uniform, smooth and attractive in shape, size and color. The teeth that receive veneers may still be different in appearance than those teeth not in the front of the mouth. Sometimes a patient may be surprised to notice some irregularities between veneers, but some variations are visible in natural teeth as well and should be expected. No teeth are perfect, not even those cosmetically-treated.
Considerations
After receiving porcelain veneers a patient will be advised about care for the newly-treated teeth and what to do to safeguard the results. No special dental hygiene is required beyond that normally used. Just brush and floss daily. However, certain foods and habits should be avoided. Sometimes dentists recommend no tea, coffee or red wine. Biting into hard things, such as ice, pencils or fingernails is not advisable. Some dentists will even advise patients to avoid things like eating raw carrots.
Since a portion of tooth enamel is removed for the application of the veneers, it is possible that a patient may experience increased sensitivity in the teeth to cold, heat and beverages.
Certain people are not good candidates for porcelain veneers due to their general poor dental health. Those with weak teeth, gum disease, or significantly-thinned enamel surface should probably avoid veneer application.
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