Veneers: What Are They?
Having a perfect Hollywood-style smile is one of the key elements of attractiveness, symbolizing success and a special status.
Veneers are a popular solution for creating a flawless smile.
In Ukraine, aesthetic dentistry is rapidly developing, and veneers play a key role in this field.
What Are Veneers and Their Uses?
Veneers (porcelain veneers) are thin ceramic or composite restorations with a thickness ranging from 0.2 to 0.5 mm. They cover the front and side surfaces of a tooth or completely wrap around it – known as 360° or full veneers.
IMPORTANT: Unlike crown preparation, the enamel is preserved. The main purpose of veneers is to correct or fully restore the shape and color of the tooth. They are mainly made for front teeth to enhance the aesthetics of the dental arch and face.
History of Veneers
Veneers began their history in Hollywood. During the black-and-white film era, to make actors' teeth more noticeable on screen, a California dentist named C. Pincus started using white plates for the front teeth of stars. These covers were fixed with a special powder and lasted only about a week. They were used solely to improve appearance, not to treat dental damage. Such plastic overlays were worn by Audrey Hepburn and Judy Garland.
Indications for Veneers
- Unacceptable enamel color, both genetic and acquired (coffee, tea consumption, depulping)
- Chips on dental crowns
- Correction of tooth shape and size
- Correction of tooth position
- Closing gaps (diastemas and trios)
- Gummy smile
- Hypoplasia, fluorosis, and other non-caries lesions
- Multiple restorations that have changed color
- Localized protrusion or retrusion of mild degree
Contraindications
- Age under 18
- Bite pathologies, especially direct bite, which increases the risk of chips
- Poor oral hygiene
- Harmful habits (gnawing on seeds, nuts, pencils, biting threads, opening bottles with teeth)
- Partial or complete absence of teeth
- Significant destruction of the crown part
- Patients with active or extreme lifestyles (combat sports, boxing, football, basketball) can have veneers installed, but a protective mouthguard, made in advance at the clinic, is mandatory.
Wax-Up Modeling
The Wax-Up technique is an important stage of orthopedic treatment. Here’s how it works:
- Taking impressions or scanning to create diagnostic models.
- Creating samples based on the data obtained and transferring them to plaster.
- Securing models in an articulator – a device that simulates jaw movements to adjust chewing and articulatory movements.
- Creating a wax mock-up and showing it to the patient.
- Evaluating the aesthetics and functionality of the mock-up by the orthodontist.
Key Difference Between Veneers and Crowns
The cost of veneers and crowns is almost the same.
The main difference is enamel preservation. If enamel is missing, this indicates a crown and contraindicates veneers.
Additionally, the structures differ in:
- Purpose
- Manufacturing material
- Installation method
For veneers, the orthodontist shaves down the front surface of the tooth.
IMPORTANT: Unlike crown preparation, enamel is preserved.
Aesthetics and Functionality
Veneers mask defects, provide whiteness to the smile, create an ideal line of teeth, and protect enamel from damage and discoloration.
Veneers can look like crowns if the tooth after preparation has enamel over its entire surface. Such a veneer is called a 360-degree veneer or Full Veneer.
A crown is a prosthetic device that restores the anatomical shape, size, and function of the tooth, covering all its surfaces. If there is insufficient enamel, it is recommended to install a crown, which protects the tooth from all sides, withstanding increased loads.
Types of Veneers
Direct Veneers: Made directly in the patient's mouth in one day. They consist of light-cured composite material, applied in layers and manually shaped.
Pros:
- Quick installation
- Low cost
- Protection from temperature changes
Cons:
- Increased wear
- Susceptibility to staining
- Periodic polishing and adjustment needed
- Lifespan of 3-8 years
Indirect Veneers: Made in a laboratory based on the patient's impressions. Installation requires several visits and preliminary enamel preparation.
Pros:
- Biocompatibility
- Aesthetic appeal
- Shape stability
- Resistance to food dyes
- Lifespan of 5-15 years
Cons:
- High cost
- Long manufacturing time
- Limited effect with chips
Ceramic Veneers: Made in a laboratory using ceramics.
- E-max: Pressed ceramic restorations, lifespan of 10 years or more.
- Refractory: Framework-free ceramic constructions.
Advantages:
- Aesthetics
- Biocompatibility
- Durability
- Resistance to stains
Disadvantages:
Lumineers: Ultra-thin plates made from high-strength ceramics, manufactured in the USA. Typically used for natural anomalies, lifespan of 10 years.
Composite Veneers: Made from composite material.
Pros:
- Low cost
- Fast manufacturing (1-2 visits)
Cons:
- Lifespan of 3-5 years
- Susceptibility to staining
Main Advantages of Veneers
- Aesthetics: Veneers look natural, with transparency and shade similar to real enamel.
- Durability: With proper care, they can last 5-10 years, being strong and reliable.
- Biocompatibility: Materials are hypoallergenic and compatible with body tissues.
- Minimal Preparation: A thin layer of enamel is removed.
- Comfort: Veneers provide good comfort while chewing and quickly adapt to the tooth.
If a veneer is damaged, it can be repaired or replaced. If a composite or ceramic veneer is attached to the enamel, it becomes inseparable from the tooth.
Previously, veneers were mainly used for celebrities, but today they are chosen by people from all professions who want to have a beautiful smile.
At Blanco Clinic, specialists tailor individual treatments for each patient, addressing functional and aesthetic issues while considering patient preferences.
