On this page:
What are Dental Veneers?
Veneers application
What it is used for?
Advantages of using it
Veneers limitations
When not recommended?
How long do veneers last
After care
Cost of getting it

Perhaps you’re considering getting veneers for your teeth. Are you wondering what’s the closest and best option you can take in that situation? Do you know all you need to know about the procedure? Their pros and cons, and of course, the amount you may have to spend to get them done properly? That’s why we’re here to  give you all the essential information you need about veneers.  If you’re in the Orange County area, then Tustin Smile might be the nearest (and best) choice you can make.

What are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are wafer-thin shells or laminates (also referred to as dental laminates, ceramic sheaths, and porcelain sheaths) normally constructed from porcelain, but occasionally from resin composites as well. Thickness of the shells is under half a millimeter, and an equal thickness of enamel is removed from the teeth before they are applied. Porcelain, being translucent like the dental enamel, can reflect the original tooth color.  However, porcelain is brittle, and relies on the underlying enamel to give it strength.

Apart from the necessary need to remove a layer of enamel which may cause sensitivity for a few weeks, veneer application is quite a safe and painless cosmetic procedure. Being primarily a cosmetic solution, they are useful in front tooth applications only. They may not be useful for the ones which are not normally visible, like the back molars. They are also not a solution for missing back teeth, where implants may be useful.

Dental Veneers Application at Tustin Smile, CA

Application of a veneer can be more complex compared to direct bonding. It is a three-step process: Consultation and planning; preparation of your mouth, and the creation of impressions; and application of the veneers. Normally, three or two visits will be required for the entire procedure, depending on whether a separate consultation visit is made or not.

  • Consultation and Planning – This takes place during your first meeting with our lead dentist, Amit Shah (D.D.S). There, you explain your problem or esthetic desires, and Dr. Shah will examine you orally and determine whether or not a veneer is the best fit for you and your situation. If there is a bite problem, that has to be attended to before proceeding further. You will also be receive an explanation about various alternative cosmetic restorative options, and their possible financial impact.
  • Preparation and Impression Taking – The next visit will center around two crucial steps in the procedure:
    • Preparation – This includes removing a layer of enamel equal to thickness of the proposed veneers (more for composites and less for porcelain) from the front surface of the teeth. In case of crooked or crowded teeth, more material may be trimmed off from the sides as well. Gums may be bruised during the enamel trimming. If this happens, it may cause some discomfort for a few days until you’ve gone through enough recovery time. But don’t worry – your gums will begin healing almost immediately, and you will feel normally just take a few days at most. If you have any partially broken teeth, than it will need to be restored before proceeding further.
    • Impressions – At this point, Dr. Amit Shah will have impressions prepared. The impressions, along with the material and color choice, are then sent to the lab for preparation. The lab prepares custom veneers according to the impressions and dentist’s instructions.  This may take up to ten days, which will overlap healing of the gums, and make it easier to be fitted properly to your teeth.
  • Application – The final step typically occurs after they have been finished in the lab. This typically takes about ten days. Your teeth are cleaned again, polished and chemically etched to roughen their surfaces. This will improve the bonding process. The veneers are then attached with a transparent cement. If they’re porcelain and are being applied to discolored teeth, an opaque cement is used to glue them on. The cement color can match that of the adjacent teeth. Following the successful application, Dr. Shah will ask you to close your mouth and see if the upper teeth mate properly and comfortably fit with the bottom teeth.

Learn more about of Underbite and Misalignment of the Jaw.

What are Dental Veneers used for?

The purpose of veneers is primarily cosmetic. There are many situations in which they can be used to your advantage. The decision to choose them or not will be made in discussion with your dentist, after he has examined you and discussed your desire and your financial preferences. Veneers may be useful in the following situations.

  • Discolored – This is a very common situation. Teeth can become discolored because of various reasons, including neglect of oral hygiene, gastric reflux, root canal treatment, large resin fillings, use of drugs like tetracycline and more. It may seem surprising, but excessive fluoride can also cause a discoloration to occur. Tobacco and alcohol may also have this effect.
  • Worn Down – Teeth may get gradually worn down over a period of time. The most common reason for this is neglect of oral hygiene, but other factors may contribute to this situation. Disease, like diabetes, deficiency of fluoride, and genetics may be responsible.
  • Chipped or Cracked – Chipped or cracked teeth can be easily repaired to restore their looks.
  • You have Gaps – If you have gaps in your teeth that you want to do away with, then veneers might be the right choice to make – regardless of how small or large the gap may be.
  • Irregularly Shaped or Aligned – Not all people are born with a perfect set of teeth. Some may have naturally misaligned or crooked teeth, or with unequal width or height. Surfaces may have depressions or bulges on the front. In all of these situations, they can be used to cover the problem after proper trimming.
  • Your Teeth have Open Spaces – Whether a gap between an individual tooth and another, whether too large or too small, can be amended with proper trimming followed by application of veneers.

Benefits of Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are an attractive option due to the following advantages:

  • Natural tooth appearance is restored.
  • Porcelain is well tolerated by the gum tissue.
  • Ones made from porcelain resist stains well.
  • People with teeth that have already been stained.
  • Porcelain is available in various colors. Even darker ones can be made to look white again.
  • They require much less reshaping than crowns, and provide a stronger cosmetic option.
  • No significant bone loss is required for the procedure.
  • Does not use metal at any stage of the process.

Limitations of Dental Veneers

Veneers are an excellent and popular and safe cosmetic choice. But they does have some limitations:

  • Although very little natural tooth structure is removed, enamel removed for veneer application cannot be restored.
  • The cost is higher than other types of cosmetic dentistry – such as a simple resin bonding.
  • Not easily fixable, with limited repairability.
  • Tooth sensitivity may develop in the initial few weeks.
  • The color cannot be changed once installed. Any whitening must be done before application.
  • In rare cases, they may dislodge or even fall off. It is suggested that patients, especially in the time immediately following the procedure, avoid hard foods to avoid them falling out.
  • In the event that decay sets in, they may need to be replaced with a full crown.

Veneers are not recommended to individuals with teeth weakened by decay, active gum disease, fracture, large fillings, or in case the enamel thickness is too small. Similarly, people who grind or clench their teeth are also liable to chip or crack any veneer they’ve received, and it is recommended they seek an alternate option. If you are looking for a permanent option, then, while they do have a strong shelf life – might not be the best choice to make.

How Long Do Dental Veneers Last?

The expected lifetime of a porcelain veneer is somewhere between seven and 20 years, according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.   They can last even longer with good oral hygiene- their longevity is completely dependent on how well you treat them.

After Care

Application is not a painful procedure, but may require some local anesthesia during the initial preparation. If you experience pain following this, simply take an over-the-counter pain killer. Your teeth may remain sensitive for a few weeks, and may even hurt slightly when eating or drinking hot or cold meals. Once they are fully applied, veneers require no special aftercare. However, they do demand good, consistent oral hygiene (including brushing, flossing and rigorous rinsing) to be properly maintained. Occasional use of a mouthwash helps as well. However, you do have to watch what you eat, or else you may crack or break a veneer. A broken veneer cannot be repaired.

Cost of Dental Veneers

Now this is a very important consideration.  Veneers are considerably cheaper when compared with braces. Your dentist will explain all of your options to you before you make a final decision.