Veneers

Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells that are designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve their appearance. They can be of ceramic, glass-ceramic, composite or Zirconia material and can be used to correct a range of dental imperfections, including crooked, stained, or chipped teeth.

Basing on data by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, dental veneers are one of the most popular cosmetic dental care, accounting that 89 per cent of orthodontic patients in the study done had veneers done. Additionally, dental veneers can last ten to fifteen years with proper care, making them a long-lasting solution for those looking to improve their smile.

Dental problems treated with veneers include:

1. Chipped or cracked teeth: These can be repaired with veneers as the thin shells can effectively cover and protect the damaged tooth. By covering the chipped area, the dental veneer restores the tooth's appearance and provides an additional layer of protection. The veneer acts as a barrier, avoiding further damage and minimizing the risk of discomfort or sensitivity associated with damaged tooth structure.
2. Gaps between teeth: Dental veneers can also close gaps between teeth, providing a more uniform appearance to your teeth. The veneers are customized to bond your visible side of teeth, which helps widen the teeth and eliminate the gaps. This not only improves the appearance of your smile but also enhances dental aesthetics by creating a more balanced teeth alignment.
3. Discolored teeth: Another common use of veneers is to treat discolored teeth, whether from intrinsic stains like those from medication use or consumption of staining foods and drinks or extrinsic factors like tobacco use. Dental veneers are an excellent solution for managing teeth discoloration, as they effectively conceal and mask the stains, resulting in a uniform and stunning smile. By placing veneers on the discolored teeth, the veneers conceal any discoloration and create a consistent, white appearance that improves your overall smile.
4. Slightly misaligned teeth: By placing veneers on malaligned teeth, the veneers effectively reshape and redefine their arrangement and appearance, resulting in a more attractive smile. They can correct irregularities such as unevenness, large or small teeth, and other shape anomalies. In situations where the malalignment is caused by structural issues, severe alternative treatments such as dental crowns or orthodontic treatment may be recommended.

Comparative differences between types of veneers

	Porcelain Veneers	Composite Resin Veneers
Material	Porcelain	Tooth-colored filling material
Appearance	Natural-looking, translucent, and mimics the sheen of natural teeth	Less translucent and may not match natural teeth as closely
Durability	Highly durable and resistant to staining or discoloration	Less durable and more prone to chipping or staining over time
Lifespan	Typically, last for ten to fifteen years or longer with proper care	May last for five to seven years or less
Tooth preparation	Requires some tooth preparation, including removal of a thin layer of enamel	Requires less tooth preparation and removal of less enamel
Cost	More expensive than composite resin veneers	Less expensive than porcelain veneers
Maintenance	Require regular dental check-ups and proper oral hygiene to maintain longevity	May require more frequent repairs or replacements due to chipping or staining
Reversibility	Reversible; flexible material and can be removed without causing significant damage to the natural tooth structure	Reversible; flexible material and can be removed without causing significant damage to the natural tooth structure
Price	Reasonably more costly than composite veneers	They are cheap