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All You Need To Know About Composite Veneers All You Need To Know About Composite Veneers

All You Need To Know About Composite Veneers

Do you know you can alter the shape, appearance and even colour of your teeth without going through rigorous dental procedures? All it takes is something as easy as a veneer application to give you that flawless smile that you want. If you are thinking of improving your smile, then veneers might just be the best option for you.

Composite veneers? What are they?

Veneers are thin materials or shells that are placed or bonded over your teeth to improve their shape, colour and appearance. Veneers can either be made of composite material or porcelain. Like the name implies, porcelain veneers are customised veneers made of porcelain material that are bonded to the teeth. On the other hand, composite veneers are equally customised veneers, instead, they are made of a resin material that is tooth-coloured.

Types of veneers

The moment you decide to get a veneer, your dentist will offer you three different choices from the two kinds of veneers. These types of veneers include :

  • Direct composite veneers
  • Indirect composite veneers
  • Porcelain veneers

Direct composite veneers

For direct composite veneer, the composite resin material is placed directly on your teeth. This type of veneer application does not require much preparation of the teeth. The application process is minimally invasive, meaning that there is very little or no damage to your enamel. The entire application process can be completed in just one appointment or visit to the dentist.

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Indirect composite veneers

There is not much difference between a direct composite veneer and Indirect composite veneer. The same material is used in both procedures, however, for indirect veneer, the composite resin material is not applied to the teeth and then shaped, instead, it is first customised to fit your teeth outside your mouth before it is then applied. It is customised either in a dental laboratory or in the dentist office.

Unlike the direct application, it is not completed in just one visit. You will be given a temporary veneer until your indirect veneer is ready, and will be applied to your teeth in your next appointment using a layer of adhesive.

Understandably, the indirect veneer costs more than the direct veneer due to its ability to withstand more abrasion and resist fracture.

Porcelain veneers

Just like the indirect veneers, porcelain veneers are not completed in one appointment. An impression of your teeth is first taken and sent to the dental laboratory, where your customised veneers will be produced using porcelain material. This process takes about a week or longer, and while you wait, you will receive a temporary veneer. Once the porcelain veneers are ready, they will be applied to your teeth and shaped to look natural.

Who can get veneers?

People who wish to cover up minor dental imperfections can decide to have dental veneers. However, you must note that not all minor dental flaws can be covered up with a veneer. Dental veneers are an excellent choice for dental problems such as crooked, discoloured, stained, chipped or eroded teeth. Bear in mind that veneers cover the front part of the teeth, which makes it ideal for certain dental problems.

If you have a broken tooth or you need a root canal, then dental crowns instead of veneers would be a better option. In summary, veneers are simply used for the improvement of the appearance of teeth.

Composite veneers vs porcelain veneers

Both types of veneers are useful and important; however, there are still pros and cons to each of them. Before you make your choice, you would have to consult your dentist to help you chose the perfect one for you.

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Pros

Composite veneers

  1. They are cheaper compared to porcelain veneers
  2. It can cover several dental appearance problems like discoloured teeth, misshapen teeth, etc
  3. In the case of direct composite veneer, the application process is shorter.

Porcelain veneers

  1. Porcelain material makes it last longer than composite material
  2. It corrects appearance problems better than composite material
  3. It is custom made
  4. It provides a more natural appearance

Cons

Composite veneers

  1. The material used is weaker than porcelain, and can easily chip or break
  2. It may require frequent replacement or repair, more than porcelain veneers

Porcelain veneers

  1. The application requires more than one visit
  2. It is more expensive than composite material
  3. It is prone to falling off and will need to be re-glued

Composite veneer application process

The application of a composite veneer begins with the dentist cleaning your teeth thoroughly and preparing them for application. Preparation in this process may include the removal of a little layer of your enamel to enable the material bond to your teeth. In the case of minor changes to the colour of teeth, there may not be any removal of the enamel layer.

If you are getting a direct composite veneer, your enamel will be etched after preparation so the adhesive can stick to it. After the adhesive has been applied, the material will be placed over your teeth and cured with a light. The next thing afterwards would be to polish and shape the veneers to make it natural.

If you are getting an indirect veneer, after preparation, a mould of your teeth will be taken, and the veneer produced using the mould from your dental impression. While you wait for the veneer production to be completed, you will be given a temporary veneer that you can use for a couple of days. When the veneers are ready, your teeth would be etched and adhesive applied to the surface of your teeth. The veneer is then applied on the adhesive and hardened with a curing light. Afterwards, the veneers would be polished, and every stray edge cleaned up.

Durability of composite veneers

Composite veneers have been shown to last more than they did before. On average, composite veneers last from 5 to 7 years. This is shorter than the porcelain veneers that last about 10 to 15 years.

Caring for your veneers can help them last longer for you. A regular routine of brushing twice daily and flossing daily will help the veneers last longer than they should. Also, paying attention to what you eat or drink will go a long way in making them last longer. Coloured drinks like tea or coffee can stain the veneer, and hard objects can break or crack them. Finally, you can always have the veneers replaced or repaired when they are broken.

Cost of composite veneers

Although cheaper than porcelain veneers, composite veneers are still quite expensive. Factors such as

  • Number of veneers you need
  • Your location, and
  • Area of the dental procedure

The above can affect the cost of getting a composite veneer. You should know that insurance will most likely not cover the cost unless your teeth have been damaged before the procedure. However, you might consult with your dentist to come up with a payment plan. In some cases, you might be able to get discounts if you are having several veneers installed. In all, getting a composite veneer would cost anything from £399 per tooth.

Do you wish to improve the appearance of your teeth? Is the shape, colour or size of your teeth making you self conscious? Them get in touch with us today at Adult Braces London. Our dentists and orthodontists are available to provide you with the dental cosmetic procedure you need. Call us today.

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