Veneers are a perfect solution for people who would like to show off a new, dazzling smile. The final effect depends on the material of the prosthetic restorations. It is therefore worth knowing what types of veneers are available in dental offices, when they can be used and how they differ from equally popular tooth crowns.

Veneersare very thin plates, usually made of porcelain, fixed on the face (labial) side of the teeth with a special glue. Thanks to them, we can eliminate all aesthetic imperfections of the teeth:

  • change their color
  • adjust the shape
  • determine the correct length
  • rebuild the missing fragments

Thanks to porcelain, the teeth retain their natural-looking shine and color and are indistinguishable from natural teeth. In addition, porcelain is a biologically inert material, therefore it does not cause allergy symptoms.

How are veneers applied?

Currently, veneers can be attached to the teeth in two ways:

  • with prior grinding of the tooth- the preparation consists in slightly grinding the face enamel layer in order to make room for the future veneer. Prior grinding is necessary if we intend to interfere with the corrected tooth, e.g. if we want to reduce the size of the teeth with veneers, withdraw protruding teeth or align rotated teeth. Without this treatment, the tooth would protrude from the arch.
  • no grinding- during this procedure, the tooth tissue is not interfered with, therefore the application of veneers is a reversible process. Before taking the impression, the teeth are only slightly polished. Veneers without grinding are a perfect solution in the case of removing diastema, lengthening teeth or changing their color.

Types of veneers

Currently, in dental offices, several types of veneers are placed on the teeth:

  • acrylic veneersonly temporarily protect the tooth from applying the actual veneer. The components of the acrylic mass are usually boil-curable acrylic or light-curable self-curing acrylic. Acrylic veneers are unstable (they last about 2 years), thicker and heavier thanother types of veneers. In addition, they are not very aesthetic, and thus - much cheaper.
  • composite veneersare made of several materials with different properties. Most often, one of the materials has bonding properties that guarantee better strength, cohesion and hardness of the composite, while the other material makes the veneer resistant to mechanical damage. The composite veneer is uniform in color which makes it look artificial. In addition, the material from which it is made often discolor (most often turns yellow).
  • ceramic veneers- feldspar ceramics are used for their production, thanks to which we obtain an optically natural appearance of the tooth. The main ingredients of ceramic veneers are: silica, kaolin, quartz and dyes, which, after grinding, mixing with water and modeling, are fired in an oven. Ceramic veneers are more durable than composite veneers and much more expensive.
  • porcelain veneersare the most popular type of veneers. They are characterized by high flexibility and durability - during the procedure they are permanently attached to the tooth and have high mechanical strength. All thanks to the porcelain mass, which consists of: acrylic mass, ceramic mass and other composite materials. Porcelain veneers can be attached to all teeth, but are mainly placed on those that are visible while speaking. Porcelain veneers do not discolor as they are resistant to tartar and other sediments.
  • all-ceramic veneershave similar layers as the tooth, i.e. the enamel layer and porcelain dentin. The substructure for the veneer is porcelain made of zirconium or aluminum oxide.
Important

Veneers are not intended for people suffering from gum disease (e.g. periodontitis or periodontitis). Too damaged teeth, e.g. too much damage to the enamel or extensive fillings, are also a contraindication to the procedure. In this case, crowns are the best solution.

Contraindications to the application of veneers

  • gum and periodontitis
  • bruxism,
  • strong discoloration of the teeth,
  • too little glaze,
  • root canal treated tooth.

What is the difference between veneers and crowns?

Veneers:

  • a veneer is a thin plate made most often of porcelain or ceramics;
  • veneers should be applied only to he althy teeth;
  • the veneers are applied only for aesthetic purposes, e.g. when the teeth are discolored or crooked;
  • the veneer is attached to the teeth with a special glue;
  • there are acrylic and composite veneers,ceramic veneers, porcelain veneers, all-ceramic veneers, hand-painted veneers;
  • veneers are cheaper than crowns and their price depends on the material they are made of (from 80 to 2,500 PLN);

Crowns:

  • crown is an artificial tooth;
  • the crown is attached either to the natural tooth root or to an implant that imitates the tooth root, using a special connector;
  • the procedure of placing crowns is performed in order to fill the missing teeth;
  • there are metal, acrylic, metal, acrylic-faced, ceramic, metal, porcelain, and zirconium crowns
  • the cost of making one crown ranges from PLN 275 to PLN 5,000.
About the authorMonika Majewska A journalist specializing in he alth issues, especially in the areas of medicine, he alth protection and he althy eating. Author of news, guides, interviews with experts and reports. Participant of the largest Polish National Medical Conference "Polish woman in Europe", organized by the "Journalists for He alth" Association, as well as specialist workshops and seminars for journalists organized by the Association.

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Category:

Dentistry and Orthodontics