All ceramic veneers

Ceramic veneers.

Non-esthetic incisors can gain back their look thanks to ceramic veneers. Veneers are thin layers of porcelain on a zirconium oxide core, applied on a labial surface of the teeth.

What are veneers for?

Thanks to veneers it is possible to cover extended fillings, persistent discolouration, to change shape of the teeth, its elongation and widening and to make it look better.

Ceramic veneers are applied after grinding the tooth and taking impressions. During next visit the dentist cements it permanently to the tooth.

We use veneers on a zirconium oxide core and Variolink cement.

Advantages of this kind of procedure are little loss of hard tissues of the tooth, natural transparency; perfect esthetics and lack of further discolouration.

Advantages of the veneers.

Ceramic veneers are a good alternative to crowns due to:

Not extended preparation of the tooth’s hard tissues

Exceptional marginal density

High immunity on wiping away

Great esthetic effect

Compatibility with periodontal tissues

Improvement of general condition after the treatment

Disadvantages of ceramic veneers:

It’s hard to cement veneers and to make them fit (filling before the cementing is very delicate and its mechanic endurance is rather little. It is easy to damage veneers while trying them on)

It requires a highly experienced dentist

It’s hard to make the colour fit (it should match both the tooth and the cement)

There is no possibility of corrections

Financial considerations.

What is the procedure?

1. There is a preliminary consultation and examination before each procedure so the dentist can understand your needs and fears. During this visit your dentist should explain the whole course of treatment and its approximate cost.

2. Before applying veneers the dentist has to prepare anterior surface of the tooth giving it proper shape. First the patient is given local anaesthesia, so the procedure of grinding is totally painless.

3. Using special appliances a small amount of external surface of the tooth crown is removed. This amount is equal to the thickness of future veneers.

4. Next the dental impression is taken. Mass of proper density is put into the mouth on a special impression tray and pressed to the teeth. This way the imprint of your teeth is made, the same way you leave your footprints on the sand.

5. The imprint of your teeth is send to the prosthetic lab. There a plaster model is cast. It serves as a copy of your teeth to prepare veneers. The whole process lasts one to three weeks.

6. While you are waiting for your veneers your dentist can apply temporary veneers, which will protect your already grinded teeth. Though not all dentists will offer you temporary veneers.

7. During your next visit your dentist adjusts veneers to your teeth. First the dentist can only apply veneers on your teeth to see how they look like when you are smiling. Sometimes additional grinding or adjusting are necessary.

8. Next the external surface of the tooth is thoroughly cleaned and etch with special acid gel which causes appearance of roughness on the tooth surface and better flowing in of cement.

9. Then veneer is cemented to the tooth. With the help of the special lamp cement hardens and binds veneer and external surface of the tooth permanently. Surplus of the cement is cut off and polished so natural and esthetic look of the repaired tooth can be achieved.

What is the constancy of veneers?

Porcelain veneers usually sustain 5 to 10 years, compound veneers sustain year or two years at the most. Sooner or later each veneer needs to be replaced by a new one. Even though veneers are cemented to the teeth there are known cases of slack and falling of veneer. In such situations is important to save this veneer and to immediately contact your dentist immediately. If you want your veneers to serve you longer you should keep hygiene of your oral cavity on a high level and to visit your dentist regularly.

The fact is that porcelain veneers are more and more often applied procedure in dentistry which brings spectacular effect despite of insignificant preparation of hard tissues. It also allows on prosthetic re-intervention if necessary. For some reason this procedure is still underrated among young people even though there are more and more modern materials and list of medical indications with time will get longer.