Porcelain veneers, explained
Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made shells bonded to the front of your teeth to correct chips, gaps, worn edges and stubborn stains. Bathurst Centre Dental Care designs and places porcelain veneers at our Thornhill cosmetic dentistry clinic for patients from Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill and North York.
What are porcelain veneers?
A porcelain veneer is a thin layer of porcelain placed over the front of a tooth, either to improve the aesthetics of the tooth or to protect the tooth’s surface from damage. Each veneer is custom made by a dental laboratory to the shape, size and shade your dentist designs with you, then bonded permanently to the tooth.
Why get porcelain veneers?
A dentist may use a veneer to restore a single tooth that has been fractured or discoloured, or multiple teeth to create a complete smile makeover. Veneers can:
Close gaps
Many people have small teeth resulting in spaces that may not be easily closed by orthodontics.
Lengthen worn teeth
Restore edges worn down by grinding, which can give a prematurely aged appearance.
Straighten the look
Make mildly crooked or malpositioned teeth appear straight without braces or Invisalign.
Fill black triangles
Fill the dark triangles between teeth caused by gum recession.
Whiten stubborn stains
Cover yellow or grey teeth that do not respond to whitening.
Create symmetry
Provide a uniform colour, shape and symmetry across your smile.
In many cases, minimal or no tooth preparation is needed when using porcelain veneers.
What is the difference between porcelain veneers and composite bonding?
Porcelain veneers
Custom fabricated by a dental lab and bonded at a second appointment. Porcelain does not change colour over time, resists stains and tends to last longer. Veneers are more expensive than bonding.
Composite bonding
Built up directly on the tooth by the dentist in a single appointment using the same material as a white filling. Not as strong as porcelain, and it can stain and change colour over time, but it is repairable and more affordable. About dental bonding.
What is the process for getting veneers?
Porcelain veneers typically involve two appointments about one to two weeks apart.
Consultation
We discuss your goals, check that your teeth and gums are healthy, and plan the shape and shade.
Preparation
A thin layer of enamel is removed if needed, impressions or a scan are taken, and temporaries are placed.
Lab
A dental laboratory crafts your veneers to the dentist’s specifications.
Bonding
The veneers are tried in, adjusted and bonded to your teeth with dental cement.
Porcelain veneer FAQs
Porcelain veneers commonly last 10 to 15 years, and often longer, with good home care and regular check-ups. Avoid biting hard objects, and wear a night guard if you grind your teeth.
When enamel is removed to make room for the veneer, the tooth will always need a veneer or crown afterwards, so treatment is not reversible. In cases where little or no preparation is needed, less tooth is changed. Your dentist will explain what applies to your teeth.
Porcelain is highly stain-resistant and keeps its colour for years. Composite bonding can pick up stains from coffee, tea, red wine and smoking.
Whitening does not change the colour of porcelain. If you want whiter teeth, whiten first so your veneers can be matched to the new shade.
The preparation visit is done with local anesthetic, so it is comfortable. Some sensitivity to hot and cold for a few days after each visit is normal.
It depends on your goals. A single veneer can repair one damaged tooth, while a smile makeover usually involves the six to ten teeth that show when you smile. We will help you decide at your free consultation.
Yes. Depending on the problem, whitening, bonding, Invisalign or crowns may be simpler or less costly. We will review every option with you.
Will my dental insurance cover veneers?
Typically, dental insurance plans offer zero or minimal coverage for veneers because they are considered cosmetic, but there are exceptions. We can help you determine your coverage when you come in for an appointment or free consultation.
Portions excerpted from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veneer_(dentistry) under the Creative Commons license.
Hi!
I have a moderate dental florosis, what treatments or products would you recommend (other than veneers/ bonding) ? Also, is fluoride free toothpaste/mouthwash a good options for me?
Thank you
Hi H, it really depends on the extent of your fluorosis. Veneers and bonding work well for more severe fluorosis. If the fluorosis is limited to a few teeth, or a few spots, Icon treatment may be an option for you. Icon treatment uses micro-invasive technology that fills and reinforces demineralized enamel without drilling, and it infiltrates up to the first third of dentin. It is used for treating early cavities and has shown to work on some fluorosis cases too. You can learn more about the treatment in the link below.
https://www.dmg-america.com/en/products/product/icon/
If you’re in the area, feel free to book an examination so we can take a look at your teeth and explore the available treatments in more detail.
one of my front teeth seems to be bigger and longer than the other. The problem teeth is also misaligned with my other teeth and the it starts way down below than the others.How can I fix this problem without getting braces?
Hi Aybala, unfortunately I cannot give you an answer without an in-person consultation. Veneers maybe a possibility but it depends on how much longer the tooth is compared to the other teeth. You may have to remove some tooth structure prior to veneer placement. There is also the concern of gum position on this tooth in relation to other teeth. Please visit a dentist for a consultation.
I am trying to decide whether I should have crowns or veneers again for 4 front teeth, where the original veneer has come off or broken at the back! My dentist advised veneers because a crown is too much damage to the existing tooth. I am 61, she is saying I can look at it again later.what would you advise?
Hi Nina, In general, the decision to go with veneers or crowns largely depends on how much of your natural tooth structure is left and if your teeth have had root canal treatments. If the teeth have many large fillings, then a crown may be a better choice. If teeth have never had a root canal treatment, a crown may remove too much tooth structure which could necessitate a root canal treatment. We would also look at factors such as how long the current veneers lasted, any advanced wear on other teeth, the way you are biting, any missing teeth, and if there is history of night time grinding or bruxism.