Dental veneer restoration
VENEER is a type of restoration that would improve the appearance of the teeth, and commonly done on the upper front ones.
It has the advantage of minimally preparing the involved teeth, as compared to having a full crown, or cap.
It can be done to improve or change the shape, size, colour and alignment of the front teeth to make them more beautiful.
It covers the front part of the teeth, or both the front and back of the teeth, depending on the purpose of treatment.
Veneer can be done on a single tooth, or multiple teeth, with better aesthetic results achieved with multiple veneers.
The teeth need to be prepared or drilled to a certain dimension to accommodate the veneer, which is a thin shell of porcelain or composite resin, cemented to the teeth.
Tricks on cementation can be applied to improve the aesthetic as the cement comes in various colours. With current technologies, veneering can be done in a single visit.
Pre-shaped casings
Pre-shaped casings are available in the market to construct veneer directly to the teeth. Usually, composite resin is used with the casing.
Using old methods usually require at least two visits to the dentist, for the porcelain veneer is fabricated in the laboratory on the model or cast of the prepared teeth.
The dentist will construct a temporary restoration if it involved two or multiple visits.
The patient would still have a pleasant appearance during the treatment period and he can provide feedback to the dentist on the shape and size of veneers to improve the aesthetics of the teeth.
The main downside of veneer is that it is easily chipped off or fractured. This is due to the minimal thickness of the veneer, together with the brittle nature of porcelain.
Patients must be very careful not to bite on anything hard with the veneered teeth to prevent fracture. The other disadvantage is that it could get dislodged from the tooth.
This could be due to the failure of the cement used – either an inappropriate type of cement, or using an incorrect technique during cementation.
Staining of the veneer is uncommon especially if it is porcelain veneer. Discolouration could happen if the veneer is made from composite resin.
Veneer requires easy maintenance; normal brushing and flossing are enough to maintain the health of the gums around the veneer.
It is important to keep the gums healthy to ensure the longevity of the veneer, which can last up to seven years.
Each case is special, for example, if a patient has habits like grinding their teeth at night, or if their teeth are short – proper management needs to be considered.
Teeth with caries and gum problems will also need treatment before proceeding with veneer. The dentist will first examine the patient’s teeth before proceeding with treatment. For more information, contact 03-4021 0852.