Clínica Dental Raslan

In the world of cosmetic dentistry, dental veneers have become an increasingly popular trend. These thin porcelain or composite veneers not only offer a quick and effective solution to cosmetic dental problems, but can also completely transform your smile.

Dental veneers can even be an alternative to orthodontics in case you only need to slightly modify the shape of your teeth. In this article, we will discover what dental veneers are, what types there are, their advantages and disadvantages and when it is appropriate to use them to achieve a dazzling and natural smile.

What are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are small thin pieces of porcelain or composite that are placed on the front surface of teeth to improve their appearance. These are specially designed to cover imperfections such as stains, discolorations, irregularities in the shape and size of teeth, as well as gaps between teeth.

Dental veneers offer an esthetic solution to achieve a more harmonious appearance without the need for invasive dental procedures. Normally, they adhere only to the vestibular teeth, which are visible when smiling.

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Dental veneers are not suitable for all patients, as some require other previous interventions. In cases of severe malposition or malocclusion it is better to resort to orthodontics to modify its position without grinding. In case of bruxism, it is necessary to fabricate an unloading splint to protect both the teeth and the veneers.

In this article you will find a lot of information about dental veneers.

When should I have dental veneers?

Dental veneers are an excellent option if you want to improve the appearance of your smile and correct cosmetic imperfections. Here are some situations in which you should consider using dental veneers:

1. Tooth discoloration. If your teeth have lost their natural shine due to the consumption of coffee, tea, red wine or tobacco, dental veneers can restore the bright white color of your teeth.

2. Unaligned or Irregular Teeth. Dental veneers can correct the appearance of misaligned or uneven teeth, creating a uniform and harmonious smile.

3. Spaces between the teeth. If you have gaps between your teeth that are uncomfortable, dental veneers can close these gaps, providing a more uniform and esthetic appearance.

4. Worn or chipped teeth. Dental veneers are an effective solution for worn, chipped or broken teeth, restoring their natural shape and function.

5. Tooth shapes and sizes. When the shape of our teeth or their size (they are very small) we can opt for veneers to modify their shape and size to get the smile we want.

6. Improve Self-Confidence. A beautiful smile can significantly boost your self-confidence. If you feel self-conscious about the appearance of your teeth, dental veneers can greatly improve your smile and your self-esteem.

Types of Dental Veneers

Composite or resin veneers

Composite veneers are made of resin and are fabricated directly in the dental office. Although they are less expensive than porcelain ones, they also offer good results. These veneers are ideal for those who are looking for a quick and effective solution to improve their smile. They are not recommended in cases of bruxism or need for major modifications. Normally this type of veneers are used in children or adolescents who have not yet finished their growing age.

Resin veneers are the fastest and easiest treatment to apply. They are placed directly on the tooth and do not require any previous treatment or modification of the tooth for their application, which makes them a 100% reversible treatment. It is possible to have resin or composite veneers placed in a single session.

As for porcelain veneers, these require more visits and it is possible that the treatment may not be completed until 10-15 days after the first diagnostic visit.

On the other hand, the treatment with composite or resin veneers is the least durable (approximately 5-7 years) and they are more likely to deteriorate or suffer stains or staining from food. That is why they require maintenance to keep them as good as the first day.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are very thin and adhere firmly to the tooth surface, providing a natural and beautiful appearance. They are very suitable for people who want a permanent change in their smile, as they offer greater durability and stain resistance than resin veneers.

Within porcelain veneers we can find two options:

Ultra-thin veneers or micro veneers: these are the most demanded by patients. Their thickness is similar to that of a contact lens, between 0.3 and 1 millimeter, so it is not necessary to file the natural tooth to place them.
Zirconium veneers: although it is a very resistant material with good esthetic guarantees, its thickness is greater and its appearance is more opaque, so they are hardly used in dental esthetic treatments.

Advantages of porcelain veneers:

They last longer than composite ones and can last up to 15 years.
They reflect light in a similar way to natural teeth.
They do not fade or stain.
They are unlikely to break.
They are indicated for multiple defects: improve color, equalize the size of teeth, improve worn or fractured teeth, …

Disadvantages

They are more expensive than resin ones.
They require more time and sessions for their placement, since they must be fabricated in a dental laboratory. It may take 10 to 15 days to complete the treatment.
They damage the natural tooth somewhat more.
Repairing them is simple, but takes longer, as they have to be sent back to the laboratory.
Once set, they cannot be modified.
They cannot be removed from the teeth once cemented, and if this is done, similar ones must be placed to recover the size of the tooth that we have reduced with the grinding or wear to place them.

How much do dental veneers in Barcelona cost?

As a guideline, the prices of dental veneers in a clinic in Barcelona range, per piece, between 200-400€ in the case of composite veneers, up to 500-700€ for micro veneers without milling.

To find out the price of your dental veneers you should visit your trusted dental clinic. Normally each patient is a very particular case, which requires a study and a personalized treatment with different needs that vary the price in many cases.

How are dental veneers placed?

Schematically, the process to place dental veneers consists of:

In the first visit, a study of the smile will be made and a digital design of the veneer treatment will be made to define the size, shape and color that best suits the patient’s characteristics and expectations. This is the most important point because it will define the dimensions of the veneer and the materials to be used.
If composite veneers are to be placed, they are placed directly on the tooth in the dental office. To do this, the tooth is isolated from the rest of the tooth to avoid contamination and the composite is placed layer by layer until the desired result is obtained, both in shape and color.

In case of porcelain veneers:

Some of the enamel is removed from the surface if necessary and impressions are taken of the teeth.
A real test can be performed on the teeth, called a mock-up, to evaluate what the final result would be like, both esthetically and functionally. It is also possible to place temporary veneers while the definitive ones are being fabricated.
When everything is correct, the final impressions are made to fabricate the final veneers.
Once the definitive porcelain veneers are ready, the temporary veneers are removed.
The tooth is cleaned, polished and etched to create a rough surface on which to apply a special cement and which allows the bond between tooth and final veneer.
Once the veneer is in place, the bite will be evaluated and, if necessary, final adjustments will be made.

Porcelain veneers offer better results in terms of esthetics and durability than composite veneers. They look and shine more natural and require little or no subsequent professional maintenance.

Do veneers damage teeth?

Thanks to advances in technology and techniques, the treatment with dental veneers is a non-invasive and conservative process, since it does not need to alter the natural tooth for its placement. Composite veneers require less grinding than porcelain veneers and sometimes it is not even necessary to touch the natural tooth, as long as the position and color of the tooth are appropriate. However, if the tooth is very yellow or in an advanced position, it will be necessary to file part of the tooth, but in such a mild manner that it does not require anesthesia.

Is it painful to wear veneers?

Composite veneers are bonded directly onto the tooth and the dentist carves the resin to give it a natural look, in these cases neither the teeth nor the gums are damaged.

To place dental veneers it is necessary for the dentist to perform a small grinding on the surface of the teeth. This process may cause discomfort or slight pain in the teeth, so it is normal to apply an anesthetic to numb the area.

Once the veneers are fixed to the tooth, the patient may notice a slight discomfort or sensitivity in the teeth for the first few days, which will pass as soon as the patient gets used to the veneers.

But it doesn’t have to hurt. If you notice persistent pain or inflammation it is better to visit the dentist because it could be associated with another untreated pathology.

How long do dental veneers last?

he life of the veneers depends mainly on the material used. Another crucial factor is the patients’ oral hygiene and eating habits, which can stain or deteriorate the veneers more quickly.

As a general rule, composite veneers need to be renewed after 5 years, while porcelain veneers can last from 15 to 25 years, but cannot be renewed. In case of breakage or damage, a new one must be designed and installed.

As mentioned above, there are some factors that will help you keep your dental veneers in good condition for a longer period of time:

Oral hygiene: daily care is essential to keep these teeth in perfect condition. Brushing your teeth regularly, 3 times a day, and flossing will help to extend the life of dental veneers.
Periodic check-ups: it is important to visit the dentist every 6 to 12 months to check the condition of the dental veneers and the rest of the dentition.
Food: veneers are resistant, but special care should be taken if you bite into a bone, seeds or shells that may fracture them.

Can whitening be done with veneers?

Veneers cannot be bleached, so it is important to make sure that the desired shade is chosen before placement. In case of staining or if you are not satisfied with the color of the veneers, it will be necessary to remove them and design new ones.

If the teeth are very dark or stained, it is recommended that teeth whitening be done prior to veneers, since veneers are so thin that the color of the tooth will become transparent.

In summary, dental veneers are an excellent and versatile option to improve the appearance of your smile. Both porcelain and composite veneers offer impressive and long-lasting results. If you want a dazzling, natural-looking smile, consider talking to a dentist who specializes in cosmetic dentistry to find out if dental veneers are right for you.

Remember, a beautiful smile can change your life and boost your self-confidence. Don’t wait any longer to transform your smile and shine with confidence!

Dental Veneers: The Perfect Solution for a Beautiful Smile

What are Dental Veneers?

When should I have dental veneers?