What is a veneer?
In dentistry, a veneer is a thin layer of material placed over a tooth, either to improve the aesthetics of a tooth or to protect from damage to a tooth’s surface.
What are the different types of veneers?
There are two main types of material used to fabricate a veneer: composite and dental porcelain.
A composite veneer consists of the same product used for most dental fillings and restorations and may be directly placed (built-up in the mouth), or indirectly fabricated by a dental technician in a dental laboratory, and later bonded to the tooth. This option is generally less expensive than the porcelain alternative and can be done in a shorter timeframe.
A porcelain veneer may only be indirectly fabricated and later bonded to the tooth. Warners Bay Dental now has the technology to provide this service at the dental surgery and on the same day, which can eliminate the need for lab work to be sent offsite for fabrication by an external dental laboratory.
Why might my dentist recommend veneers?
Multiple veneers can provide a uniform color, shape, and symmetry whilst making the teeth appear straight. Dentists may also recommend using veneers to strengthen worn teeth and in many cases, minimal tooth preparation is needed
A dentist may use one veneer to restore a single tooth that may have been fractured or discolored, or multiple teeth to improve overall aesthetics.
Many people have small teeth resulting in spaces that may not be easily closed by orthodontics.
Some people have worn away the edges of their teeth resulting in a prematurely aged appearance, while others may have teeth that appear crooked.