Dental veneers | Tooth veneer procedure and costs
Dental veneers are wafer-thin shells of tooth-colour material designated to cover the front teeth’ surface.
What is dental veneer?
For anyone who wants a complete smile makeover but without undergoing any kind of major procedure, dental veneers are a fantastic choice. Veneers are really thin ceramic layers, specially crafted by your requirements in terms of colour, size and shape by a certified technician and are placed on the natural teeth surface.
Dental veneers are custom-made, wafer-thin shells of tooth-colour material designated to cover the front teeth’ surface and improve their appearance. Shells are attached to the front side of the teeth changing their colour, size, shape and length.
Is dental veneer the right dental restoration technique for you? Let’s find out!
How are tooth veneers made?
Dental veneers are usually made from porcelain or on some occasions, from resin composite materials. Porcelain veneers are much more resistant to any kind of stains than resin veneers are. Furthermore, porcelain veneers are better imitations in terms of light-reflecting aspects of the natural teeth. You can discuss with a dental specialist which type of dental veneer is more suitable for you.
How much time tooth veneers last?
The usual longevity of dental veneers is between 7 and 15 years depending on the quality of the veneers and the effort you have put to make them last as much as possible. After a maximum of 15 years, you will need to replace your veneers with a new set of dental veneers.
Dental veneer advantages
- They provide you with a natural tooth appearance.
- Gums tolerate porcelain well.
- Porcelain veneers are stain-resistant.
- You are able to choose a colour you prefer for your teeth
- Less time-consuming than dental crowns
What types of problems do dental veneers fix?
- Misaligned teeth, uneven, or irregularly shaped (ea. have craters in them)
- Gaps between the teeth (closing the space between these teeth)
- Worn down teeth
- Chipped or broken teeth
Tooth Veneer Procedure
Getting a dental veneer usually requires three trips to the dentist – one for a consultation and two to make and apply the veneers. One tooth or many teeth can undergo the veneering process at the same time.
By now, you should be able to decide if the dental veneer procedure is the most suitable dental treatment for you. With that in mind, now we will explain the dental veneer procedure in depth.
Overall, the dental veneer procedure consists of three separate phases:
First phase of dental veneer procdure
Consultations and x-ray
The first phase is a consultation where you will explain your expectations to the dentist. During the first phase, the dentist will examine your teeth and will make the final decision if the dental veneers are the most suitable procedure for you. Afterwards, the full procedure will be explained, its advantages as well as disadvantages. The final step in phase one is the x-ray and if possible impressions of your teeth and mouth.
Second phase of dental veneer procedure
Reshaping the tooth
The second phase consists of preparing the tooth for a veneer. The dentist will need to reshape the tooth surface in an amount that is equal to the veneer thickness so it can be easily added to the tooth surface. Prior to the reshaping procedure, you can decide if you want to use the anaesthetic for the surface that needs to be trimmed. After the reshaping is finished, the dentist will make a model or impression of the tooth. This is being done in the dental laboratory and it usually takes up to 4 weeks for veneers to be done and sent back from the laboratory. In the meantime, temporary dental veneers are being used.
Third phase of dental veneer procedure
Veneer bonding
The third and final phase is a veneer bonding on your tooth to examine if it fits and if the colour is right. That is done repeatedly, removing and trimming the veneer until the proper fit is achieved, before permanently cementing it to your tooth, while the colour of the veneer can be adjusted with the shade of cement. In order to prepare your tooth to receive the veneer, your tooth will be cleaned, polished, and etched. Etching roughens the tooth to allow for a strong bonding process. During the procedure, a special cement is applied to the veneer and only after, it is then placed on your tooth. Once the veneer is properly positioned, your dentist will shine a special light beam on it in order to activate chemicals in the cement, causing it to harden very quickly. The final steps involve removing any excess cement, checking your bite and making any needed adjustments. The dentist may ask you to return for a follow-up visit in a couple of weeks to check your gums and the veneer’s placement.
How long does the process of making a tooth crown take?
The duration of the whole process of making dental veneers is around 40 days due to the time of making a dental veneer in the laboratory with the follow-up visit after the veneers are done.
How long do you need to come to the dental practice?
During this time you need to come 2 to 3 times to the dental office.
Dental veneer cost, prices and average prices
The cost of a dental crown depends on the type of tooth crown material and a country where you decide to do the treatment.
Prices in US for dental veneer per tooth varies from 825$ up to 2500$.
Prices in Europe for dental veneer per tooth is around 500€.
Our price of dental veneer per tooth costs from 400€.
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