Types Of Dental Veneers

Posted on: 15 January 2015

Dental veneers are a thin layer or shell that can be placed over your tooth by a dentist. Veneers serve two purposes: improving the appearance of your teeth and protecting a damaged tooth from further decay. Dental veneers can give you a much more appealing smile, which is why many cosmetic dentists use them. They can also reduce your tooth's sensitivity to heat and cold. Applying dental veneers is not a difficult procedure. While it is more complex than bonding, it is much less involved than getting crowns. But unlike getting a crown, your tooth does not have to be altered or reshaped to any significant degree before a dental veneer is applied. There are several different types from which to choose.

Composite

Composite veneers can usually be applied during a single trip to your dentist. While not quite as strong as a porcelain veneer, a composite veneer can be smooth and polished to look very much like a normal tooth. While they do have a tendency to occasionally fracture when you're eating particularly hard or crunchy foods, they are easy to repair.

Palatal

Palatal veneers are usually made out of gold, but they can also be made out of porcelain or composite materials. They are positioned on the inside of the upper teeth and are designed specifically to prevent and treat tooth wear.

Porcelain

Porcelain veneers are thin shells of ceramic that are bonded directly to the front of your teeth. Unlike many dental crowns, porcelain dental veneers have no metal in them. It will usually require two visits to your dentist to have your new porcelain dental veneers applied. During your first visit, your dentist will make an impression of your teeth and then apply a temporary veneer. When you come back for your second visit, the temporary veneer is removed and replaced with the permanent version.

Non-permanent

Non-permanent veneers (as the name implies) are entirely temporary and can be removed whenever you like. They're made of a thin flexible resin, and they can even be purchased in kits you can use at home.

Other Points to Consider

During the procedure, your dentist like one from Carpenter Dental, Charles M. Carpenter DMD, and Chas M. Carpenter DMD will remove a very small portion of the enamel on the tooth before applying the dental veneer. For a short time, you may experience some increase sensitivity to hot or cold beverages and foods. It's also important to note that some patients cannot receive dental veneers because of other health issues, such as generally poor dental health.

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