Dental veneers are thin shells that are fitted over the front part of your teeth to improve the appearance of your teeth. They are also meant to protect your teeth from damage and improve the aesthetic of your smile. These tooth-colored shells bond to your teeth and change the size, color, length, function, and shape of your teeth.
Many patients opt for veneers mainly to improve the appearance of their teeth, but dental veneers also have some restorative functions, thus protecting your tooth’s surface from damage. In addition, dental veneers are an excellent option for patients with stains, tooth or chips.
The dental veneer procedure is minimally invasive and relatively quick. Depending on the color of your tooth and the kind of outcome you desire, the shells are available in different types of shades.
Find out below the different types of dental veneers and how to determine the right choice for you.
Types of Dental Veneers
The common types of dental veneers available includes:
1. Porcelain Veneers
This type of dental veneer is made from porcelain material. They are tooth-colored, custom-made, versatile, and last for 10-15 years. The porcelain veneers are made from ceramic materials and are not easily susceptible to stains compared to composite veneers.
When it was introduced, the main advantage of porcelain veneers was their conservative and minimally invasive nature. This is because minimal preparation is needed for effective shell replacement. This is not applied to other cases of full restorative procedures such as dental crowns, thus making porcelain veneers a popular option.
The procedure of putting dental veneers in Wayzata is comprised of the correction and shaping of the remaining healthy tooth structure by 0.5mm. The natural teeth are then replaced by a porcelain shell and a bonding agent.
If your tooth has dark discolorations, then opaques may be used. There are more than 15 different shades of porcelain veneers for a patient to choose from.
2. Composite Veneers
Composite Veneers are a cosmetic option to porcelain veneers, and they are made of the same material used to make tooth-colored cavity fillings. As a result, they are slightly cheaper than porcelain veneers. In addition, composite veneers are a same-day treatment option as they are usually fabricated quickly.
Direct composite veneers are modeled on the teeth rather than in a dental laboratory. Like porcelain veneers, the teeth have to be recontoured in composite veneers before replacing them. The composite veneers can be placed directly on the enamel. They can last for 5-7 years.
Composite veneers are more conservative as compared to porcelain. When the composite veneer chips, the affected area might be repaired, but when the porcelain chips, the entire veneer has to be replaced
3. Palatal Veneers (Palatal Onlays)
This type of veneer is a particular type of onlays used to restore anterior teeth. The causes of palatial damage to the anterior tooth include bruxism, deep bite, and dental erosion.
Dental erosion can be caused by severe acidic reflux and chronic vomiting. These veneers are a great option to restore the compromised part, leaving the rest of the tooth not touched. To get dental veneers near you, visit our dental offices.
4. Removable Veneers
Removable veneers are custom made less-invasive, non-permanent, and cheaper than traditional veneers. The lower and upper molds are made of patients’ teeth, similar to clear aligners. They can be removed at any time while sleeping or eating.
While the permanent veneers are irreversible because a dentist near you has to remove part of your tooth’s enamel, removable veneers do not require tooth reduction.
One drawback about removable veneers is that they can be uncomfortable and do not blend in with your natural teeth. It also must be replaced often.
5. Lumineers
The other types of dental veneer available at Bruce Martinson DDS are Lumineers. Lumineers are a type of dental veneers which are super thin and translucent. They are tooth-colored and replicate the shape of your natural tooth enamel even more than the porcelain kinds.
Its thinness does not require a tooth recontouring or reduction. The Lumineers can last over 20 years compared to porcelain veneers which can last 10-15 years. Even though they are convenient, they can be cheap compared to traditional veneers, resulting in a shorter lifespan.