Porcelain Veneers

Dental veneers are tooth-colored, wafer-thin, custom-made shells that are mainly used for beautification in case of a chipped, stained, fractured or discolored tooth. They also offer strength and resilience to weak and damaged teeth. They are positioned on the front surface of a tooth to change their size, shape, color or length. 

Before

After

What are the types of veneers?

Composite Resin Veneers:They are fabricated from a composite resinous material. They usually take a longer time to be fabricated.

Porcelain Veneers:These types of veneers are more widely used. They tend to resist stains more appropriately and help to mimic the characteristics of the original tooth. They last for a time period of almost 10 to 20 years. They are easily repairable, the process takes a shorter time period, and they are more affordable compared to composite veneers.

What are veneers used for?

The usage of veneers is not only limited to beautification but rather, they are a solution for a number of oral issues. Some of them are as follows:

Stained or Discoloured teeth:At times, when the teeth are subjected to different colored foods, they start staining. In simple cases, teeth whitening methods are suggested but in complicated ones, veneers become the best option to restore the aesthetics of the smile.

Damaged or Chipped teeth:Any accidental blow or fall may crack, fracture or chip a tooth. Rather than going for expensive prosthetic treatments, veneers are a more viable option for the restoration of the damaged tooth's former strength, functionality, and shape.

Misshapen teeth:Some teeth remain naturally out of shape, spoiling one’s smile altogether. Veneers rectify such issues with the teeth contours.

Misaligned teeth:Sometimes, when a tooth goes missing or in case of a wide dental arch, the remaining teeth tend to shift from their former position, thereby upsetting the alignment. The excessive gap between adjacent teeth can be eliminated using veneers on the frontal surfaces of teeth.

Worn-out teeth:Bruxism and grinding of teeth are the reasons for worn-out teeth. The enamel gets eroded and the dentin becomes exposed, which leads to shorter, dull-looking teeth and hypersensitivity. The length of such teeth can be restored using veneers. 

Procedure

Initially, a thin layer of enamel from the frontal face of the tooth is removed to accommodate the veneer. Next, an impression of the tooth is made, which caters to the color, size, and shape of the original one. The mold is then sent to the lab to custom fabricate the porcelain veneers. During the next visit, the veneer is placed on the teeth to check for a perfect fit. Once the changes in the structure of the veneer are made, it will be permanently bonded to the tooth.

How to care for the veneer?

Veneers last for 10 to 20 years (porcelain) and 7 to 8 years (composition resin), provided you take good care of them. Following a few precautionary measures will help get the longest lifespan out of them.

• Avoid chewing on any hard objects like ice cubes, pens, pencils, or even fingernails.
• Avoid using the veneers for tearing or opening plastic bags. 
• Limiting the consumption of coffee, tea, red wine, etc. is advisable.
• Practice regular oral cleaning (brushing and flossing) to keep the microbes away from the mouth, thereby avoiding the staining of the veneer.

We serve the area of San Mateo and Burlingame Terrace. To schedule an appointment, call us at (650) 348-5424, and we will be happy to help.