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Defining composite veneers
For people seeking a solution to their unappealing dentition for reasons including poor dental care, veneers may present a great choice of treatment.
Dental veneers are shells with all-round narrow diameters that are used to mascarade the front teeth to make them look beautiful. This dental restoration is one of the many cosmetic options for teeth aesthetics. Other options include crowns, enameloplasty, and tooth bonding.
Veneers are available as porcelain and composite veneers. The porcelain type of veneers are designed with porcelain to cover the teeth snugly. On the other hand, composite veneers are almost like tooth bonding options in that they both share the same production material – tooth-coloured resin.
These two main types of veneers are good and not good in distinct ways. You must understand the type of dental condition you have to know which option is suitable and look at how much you’re willing to spend.
Are veneers suitable for everyone?
Problems with the teeth can be fixed with dental veneers and present a smile that’s as beautiful as the sun. Some of the dental problems include stained or discoloured teeth, cracked or misaligned teeth, and eroded enamel.
Veneers can masquerade a part of the teeth; this is unlike what crowns offer – they’re thicker coverings enveloping the tooth completely from behind to the fore. The use of crowns requires tooth reduction; veneers don’t always require teeth reduction.
Should you have healthy and well-shaped teeth but need to touch up their look and shape a bit, your dentist may recommend veneers. When the teeth are severely impacted, like a broken tooth or a root canal, crowns may be more preferred.
What are the types of veneers?
If you are in need of composite veneers London, bear in mind that veneers are of three types:
- Direct composite veneers
- Indirect composite veneers
- Porcelain veneers
You may have to choose.
Direct composite veneers
This type is made from composite resin material. The dentist applies it directly to the teeth as prepping your teeth for these doesn’t take long, and applying them is done in a less invasive manner.
Indirect composite veneers
What differentiates direct from indirect composite veneers is the way they are applied. The materials used for the veneers aren’t so different. Here, the dentist will prep your teeth as they do for direct composite veneers, but it isn’t directly applied; they’re rather designed on the ground before placement over the teeth. Production of indirect composite veneers happens at the dental lab or dentist’s office.
While waiting for the indirect veneers to be ready, the dentist will install non-permanent veneers over your teeth. During your next visit, the dentist, with the help of an adhesive bonds the indirect composite veneers to your teeth.
When it comes to strength and impact resistance, indirect composite veneers are a better choice than the direct type and are more pricey.
Porcelain veneers
These are customised from porcelain to fit over the teeth. Getting this type of veneer involves taking your dental impression. This is taken to the dental lab for production, which can span seven days or more. Since it takes time to have porcelain veneers ready, the dentist will give you a set of non-permanent veneers in the meantime.
Porcelain veneers are thin shells. After production, they’ll be bonded to your front teeth and shaped to resemble your natural teeth.
Composite veneers vs porcelain veneers
Like we mentioned earlier, these two have their perks and drawbacks. Care should be taken before choosing.
What to expect with composite veneers
At the start of the process, the dentist gives your teeth a deep cleaning and get them ready to receive the veneers. For better bonding between veneers and teeth, some part of the enamel may be removed. Where slight colour or shape changes are needed for the teeth, reducing the enamel isn’t required.
That done, the application process will be different depending on whether you’re getting an indirect or direct composite veneers.
In the case of direct veneer application, the dentist will roughen up your enamel a bit for stronger bonding. A layer of adhesive will be spread over your teeth to hold the composite when applied. Next, the composite veneers consisting of ultra-thin shells are placed over the teeth. Using a UV light, the dentist will make the shells harden over the teeth – a process called curing.
As for veneer colour, you and your dentist can decide that. You can have natural teeth-like colours for your veneers – the dentist can work it out. If you’re to receive indirect composite veneers, they will be made outside your mouth by taking a mould of your teeth after prep.
When it’s time to apply them, the dentist will make your teeth surface rough a bit, spread an adhesive over them, and install the composite veneers. The adhesive holds the veneers in position. With a special light, the dentist hardens the adhesive and bonding takes place. Moving forward, the dentist will shape up the edges of the teeth and give them a good polish.
There’s no need to be under anaesthesia while getting veneers – many people don’t need it. Should you need it, you’ll be fine to go back to your normal activities after the effect wears off.
What’s the longevity of composite veneers?
Presently, we see composite veneers lasting between 5 to 7 years, unlike before. This is followed by a replacement. Compared to porcelain veneers, this longevity is less as porcelain can stay for 10 to 15 years.
By taking good care of your veneers, they can last longer. Keep up with regular teeth brushing using abrasion-free toothpaste. Avoid using your front teeth to bite down on hard foods, including ice.
Drinks that bring stain upon veneers like coffee should be avoided.
Do composite veneers bring any change after treatment?
After receiving veneers, your teeth appearance will see major improvement.
Are composite veneers removable?
Yes, they can be taken out for fixing or replacement via the addition of fresh material from composite.
Cost of composite veneers
When it comes to veneers cost London, you have to consider it as important because veneers are pricey.
It is so because the application takes a longer time. Secondly, you need materials of premium quality and a durable application. This is a cosmetic work that is exposed in a smile or laugh.
By way of comparison, composite veneers are expensive but not as pricey as porcelain versions.
What you get to pay for composite veneers is dependent on your location, a number of veneers needed and the location of the dentist.
Expect to pay £185 to £1,112 for each tooth for composite veneers.
And it may be an out-of-pocket expense as there isn’t any insurance cover for cosmetic dentistry work. This means you may be the one to pay for this treatment.
But in the case of an impacted tooth, you may have your insurance paying for a part or the entire cost of treatment.
In the absence of this and you don’t find paying for this treatment easy, discuss with your dentist – they can establish a payment plan for you. Getting a discount is also possible when you’re paying for some number of veneers (this varies according to dentist).
Finally…
Where you are struggling with low self-esteem due to imperfections in your smile, you may find a solution in dental veneers. Basically, they offer some sort of non-temporary fix to dental imperfections.
Due to the high cost of composite veneers and veneers generally, weigh the benefits and thumbs down of every option and discuss with your dentist before you settle for a specific treatment.
Should you need veneers in central London, contact our dental team at Emergency Dentist London. We offer very good composite veneers.
