Veneers are an effective way to transform your smile without the need for more extensive procedures such as teeth whitening or braces. Unfortunately, this treatment cannot be reversed since your dentist must remove some enamel to place the veneers.
Veneers can last 10-13 years with proper care, so take time to research all the options available so you can select one that best meets your needs.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are handmade in dental laboratories and require hours to produce; as such, they tend to be more costly than composite veneers.
One of the primary draws of porcelain veneers is their stain resistance. Over time, this material retains its brilliance without becoming discolored from coffee, tea, wine or other substances that stain easily.
Another great advantage of porcelain veneers is their longevity; they’re much tougher than resin composite veneers and can even last up to 30 years with proper care – brushing, flossing and refraining from harmful habits like chewing on hard objects or opening packages with your teeth!
Lumineers are similar to porcelain veneers in many respects, yet thinner. Their application requires just one visit with minimal tooth reduction preserving more natural tooth structure. Furthermore, Lumineers have become known for their longevity with proper care lasting up to two decades or even beyond!
Composite Veneers
Composite veneers offer quick solutions for those seeking an instant smile transformation. Made of tooth-colored resin, composite veneers can be molded into place to cover chips or change tooth shapes quickly and affordably. Composite is also relatively reversible; your dentist only lightly preps your teeth when applying composite veneers so they can easily be removed or replaced later should necessary.
Direct composite resin veneers differ from porcelain in that they can be painted on directly and then cured using special lighting; this allows less enamel to be removed, potentially lasting longer than its porcelain counterpart.
Bear in mind, however, that both types of veneers can discolor over time, so it’s wise to discuss your aesthetic goals and weigh them against other personal considerations before making a decision on whether veneers are right for you.
Lumineers
Lumineers are ultra-thin porcelain coverings designed to cover minor teeth imperfections and camouflage them from view. Measuring less than 1/4 millimeter thick, these prosthetics resemble enamel’s appearance while remaining stain-proof over time. They will preserve their beauty for many years!
Lumineers differ from veneers in that they’re translucent, which allows them to match the natural shade of your teeth more naturally. Furthermore, they’re half the thickness of traditional veneers so can be placed without needing to remove any enamel – thus earning them the moniker “no-prep or minimal-prep veneers.”
Before bonding Lumineers to your teeth, your dentist will thoroughly evaluate them to ensure they are suitable for treatment. Next, your teeth will be prepared by having them professionally cleaned and etched to strengthen the bonding process. Finally, once the Lumineers are ready, they are placed onto them using special cement that hardens under UV light to set your Lumineers permanently in place.
Prepless Veneers
While veneers can be an excellent cosmetic dentistry treatment option, they might not be right for everyone. If you suffer from crowded teeth, misalignment issues, chipped teeth or gaps between your teeth that need correcting it could be possible that these issues could be addressed through less invasive cosmetic dentistry procedures.
No-prep veneers provide a more cost-effective option than traditional veneers, which require you to have enamel removed prior to application. A light filer will suffice before placing these no-prep veneers, which could make this option more affordable for some patients.
No-prep veneers may not last as long due to being less invasive. To extend their longevity, proper oral hygiene must be practiced: regularly brushing and flossing as well as visiting regular dental checkups is recommended in order to protect no-prep veneers against staining and plaque build-up, plus avoid foods or beverages which stain your teeth such as red wine.
