Veneers or otherwise known as dental laminates act like coatings for your teeth. They’re most commonly applied on teeth that have cracks, chips, or eroded. They’re also used to improve the appearance of stained teeth that results from smoking or prolonged consumption of foods that give discoloration.
Veneers can also be used to help correct misalignment by filling in spaces or gaps between the teeth. To fully correct misaligned teeth, retainers are the best dental procedures to go after. Hawley Retainers is one of the more popular brands to consider.
What are the Types of Veneers?
Veneer types are classified according to the material they’re made from. Most veneers are made with porcelain or a resin mixture. They can also be classified according to how they’re applied on teeth. We will be starting the list with the materials used to make veneers and a second list for the classification according to application.
There are only 2 major types of veneers according to material build: porcelain or resin mix.
- Porcelain – most veneers are made from porcelain. Orthodontists choose porcelain because of its similarity to natural teeth. Porcelain does not discolor easily and will only need replacement anywhere around 7 to 10 years.
- Composite Resins – veneers made from composite resin mean they have components other than porcelain. Composite veneers do not last as long as ceramic veneers but thanks to the improvement of material technology, some composite veneers are near the point of matching, or even outlasting, porcelain-based veneers. As a general rule, composite veneers are easier to apply on a patient’s teeth in contrast to ceramic ones.
The following are veneer classifications according to application:
- Direct/Indirect Laminate/Composite Veneers – this is the term used for applying veneers by either applying the veneer material onto the teeth or by making molds out of the veneering material.
- Partial or Palatal Veneers – it’s commonly used for patients who have lost much of their teeth, and since nothing can be used to attach the veneer, a palate mold is fitted with wires instead.
- Thineers or ultra thin veneers – this type of veneer application is used for patients with teeth that are discolored and can no longer be prepared for direct/indirect laminates. Thineers (also known as lumineers) can be 0.3 mm thin and is the least invasive out of all the veneer application procedures.
Who Can Get Veneers?
Depending on each case, veneers can be applied to any number of situations. They’re divided into three classifications. This classification system was made by individuals Magne and Belser.
- TYPE 1
We’ve discussed how thineers or lumineers are used for discoloration. If teeth cleaning and whitening are not viable options, veneers can do a job well of hiding or offering aesthetic corrections.
It’s also used for cases where the teeth cannot be whitened with standard chemicals used in an orthodontists’ or dentist’s office.
- TYPE 2
People with gaps between the two front teeth can also have veneers. This type of teeth misalignment is called diastema. Veneers are also indicated for individuals with conoid teeth. From the root word “cone”, conoid teeth resemble small ice cream cones, or can also be cylindrical.
- TYPE 3
People who have cracked teeth can get veneers. It’s also good for individuals with eroded teeth. In instances where the teeth already have decayed completely, veneers will usually be applied after a filler seals the hole.
You’d be surprised to know that not all veneers are white. Tooth color is associated with the amount of melanin present on the skin, nails, hair, and eyes and as such, there is a selection involved with respect to tooth color.
Orthodontists will usually refuse to give you veneers because of the following reasons:
- Fewer to absent number of teeth to anchor the veneer to
- Fractured teeth with more than 30 percent of the structure missing (can’t attach a veneer to a teeth almost gone)
- Teeth that hasn’t come out yet (think wisdom tooth)
- Patients with untreated bruxism
- Previously treated teeth that are too thin to be made as anchor for the new veneers
How is a Veneer Applied?
Orthodontists or dentists have a variety of tools in their disposal. The main concern during veneer application is the length of time involved. Using a drill, orthodontists will make ridges across the surface of the teeth for bonding.
It’s literally the same process of making walls have an inconsistent surface so the cement can latch on easier. A glue is applied after the preparation before sticking the veneers onto the teeth. This procedure will at least be 2 days, but in cases where veneers are premade, you can go home on the same day.
As braces are to misaligned teeth, veneers are for teeth that are semi-perfect but need some aesthetic touches.