All You Need to Know about Composite Veneers
What is a composite veneer?
Dental veneers may be the right choice if you have always wanted to improve your smile.
Veneers are thin shells that fit over your teeth to enhance their appearance. Veneers are one way to change the appearance of your teeth.
Tooth bonding, enameloplasty, and crowns are two other options.
There are two main types of veneers: composite and porcelain. Porcelain veneers can be custom-made from porcelain to fit your teeth, as you would expect. Composite veneers are made of tooth-colored resin, the same material used for tooth bonding.
Both types of veneers have their pros and cons. It is important to assess the severity of the problem you are trying to solve and your budget.
Who can have veneers?
Dental veneers can cover imperfections in your teeth and give you a bright, even smile.
You may have crooked, misshapen, chipped or stained teeth, or the enamel has eroded.
While veneers cover a portion of your teeth, they differ from crowns that cover the entire tooth. The crowns are thicker and cover the back and front. Veneers may also require more trimming, which may or not be necessary with crowns.
Veneers are a great option if your teeth are in good condition and you want to improve their appearance.
Crowns are typically only used to fix more severe teeth. A crown might be the best solution if your tooth is badly damaged or broken.
Types and types of veneers
The dentist might offer you three types of veneers: indirect composite veneers (direct composite veneers) and porcelain veneers.
Direct composite veneers
Direct composite veneers are made from a composite resin material applied directly to your teeth.
The procedure of applying veneers takes very little time and is not considered to be invasive.
Indirect composite veneers
The only difference between indirect and direct composite veneers is their application process, not the actual material.
The preparation of your teeth is the same as for direct composite veneers. However, the veneers are made ‘indirectly outside’ your mouth by your dentist or in a dental lab.
Until the final indirect veneers are made, you’ll be given a temporary set of veneers. The indirect composite veneers will be applied to your teeth using a layered adhesive at the next appointment.
Indirect composite veneers are more resistant to abrasions than direct ones and can resist fractures better. However, they are more expensive than direct composite veneers.
Porcelain veneers
Porcelain veneers can be custom-made for your teeth from porcelain.
A dentist will take the impressions to allow the dental lab to make veneers from the mold. This can take up to a week. While you wait, you will receive temporary veneers.
Once the porcelain shells are ready, the dentist will attach them to your front teeth.
