Ceramic veneers

Dental veneers are thin pieces of ceramic material bonded to the front surfaces of teeth. Unlike natural teeth, veneers are resistant to tooth decay or surface staining (coffee, tea, smoking), and they maintain their beauty over time.

Veneers are used to change the shape, size, color or position of the front teeth, while providing strength comparable to natural tooth enamel. They are a good choice for fractured teeth, severe enamel erosions, gaps between the teeth and minor bite-related problems (twists, overlaps), or for teeth that resist whitening. Veneers are often used as a part of dental face lifting, since they can create an effect of fuller lips or improve appearance of fine lip lines or minimize the lengthening of the upper lip observed with age as a result of the loss of muscle tone.

To apply a traditional veneer, usually a very small amount of the original tooth enamel must be removed (usually less than a millimeter) in order to create room for the porcelain veneer. “Ultra-thin veneers” with a thickness between 0.4 and 0.5mm only are also available. If the clinical situation allows for it, tooth preparation may be omitted altogether in order to preserve tooth structure. Such no-prep veneers, however, not only present a challenge for the dental team due to their minimal thickness but they are often associated with the bulky, overcontoured appearance of involved teeth.

A visualization of the final result is an important step in esthetic treatment, eliminating patient dissatisfaction at the end of the procedure. An intraoral mock-up (“try-in veneers”) is fabricated to verify if it corresponds to your intended outcome. This step allows for changes to be made prior to the final restoration being cemented. Alternatively, a computer-generated mock-up can be used, however, it does not allow you to feel the shape of the veneers, their effects on surrounding soft tissues (upper lip posture, smile lines) or on speech.

The most esthetic veneers are individually sculpted for each patient by a dental ceramist, using cut-back and hand-layering techniques, individual characterization methods (staining) and glazing to optimize esthetics by obtaining a range of translucencies and colors.

Maintaining veneers do not differ from maintaining original teeth (brushing, flossing and regular dental check-ups). Using a non-abrasive toothpaste is recommended. If you have a habit of grinding or clenching your teeth, a night guard may help to protect veneers from damage. You should avoid excessive stresses (ice chewing, nail biting, opening bottles or packages with teeth).

They last about 15 years.