Dental Veneers

What is a dental veneer?

It is a thin shell made of porcelain or composite resin, which is attached to the front part of the tooth.

Porcelain veneers (ceramic):

• Do not get stained;
• Do not change colour;
• Look like false nails that are moulded and cemented on the teeth;
• Have a longer lifespan than composite veneers;
• Their fabrication is done in a laboratory; a second visit is necessary to apply the veneers.

Composite veneers:

• Are done in a single appointment;
• Are less expensive than porcelain veneers;
• Are made directly at the dentist’s office and shaped on the tooth;
• Have a shorter life expectancy than the porcelain veneers (may require touch-ups with time).

CEREC porcelain veneers:

• Are made in a single appointment;
• Offer an unlimited choice of colours;
• Do not get stained;
• Do not change colour;
• Look like false nails that are moulded and cemented on the tooth;
• Have a longer lifespan than the composite veneers.

Placing veneers on your teeth

• INSTALLATION OF PORCELAIN VENEERS
  • Local anesthesia may be necessary to remove a thin layer of enamel;
  • An impression of your teeth is necessary for greater accuracy;
  • While you are waiting for the permanent veneers to be made, your dentist may place temporary veneers to protect the teeth of which a thin layer of enamel was removed;
  • At the second appointment, the temporary veneers will be taken out to affix permanent porcelain veneers using a composite resin cement.

• INSTALLATION OF COMPOSITE RESIN VENEERS
  • A mild chemical solution is applied to the tooth to make the enamel rougher;
  • Composite resin is applied in several layers and each layer is cured with a special light;
  • Once the last layer is hardened, the resin is shaped and polished so that the tooth has a natural appearance.

What you should know about dental veneers:

• The procedure is not painful;
• Veneers require the same maintenance as natural teeth (brushing and flossing every day);
• This treatment is irreversible as part of the enamel has been removed to affix the veneer (about half a millimetre under local anesthesia).
• If the veneer is broken or if a cavity forms on the tooth, the treatment must be redone;
• You must be careful not to bite too hard into objects;
• Check if your insurance covers the installation of veneers (it is a cosmetic treatment).

WARNING! Veneers are not for you if…

• You have cavities or gum disease (you first need to treat them);
• There is not enough enamel on the tooth (reduced adhesion to affix veneers);
• You are missing a large part of the tooth (you will need a dental crown);
• You grind your teeth (because you may damage and even break your veneers). In this situation it is better to opt for a complete crown.

Veneer or crown?

The primary function of the veneer is to beautify while the crown is used both to strengthen and enhance the appearance of the tooth.