Dental Veneers Waterford
CALL US NOWWhat are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are tooth-coloured shells that are constructed of porcelain (ceramic) or composite materials that are permanently bonded to the front of your teeth designed to cover up minor imperfections such as gaps, chips, scratches or stains. Veneers are typically used for cosmetic reasons for patients wishing to improve the overall appearance of their teeth and their smile.
Veneers - Suitability Check
It is important for your dentist to check your suitability as a candidate for the application of veneers. If you have any underlying dental or oral issues, these will need to be treated beforehand. For this reason, Christie Dental highly recommends patients exploring veneers as an option first arrange an initial consultation for a full oral health assessment.
Porcelain Veneers vs. Composite Veneers
Porcelain veneers are constructed from ceramic material much like the composition of natural teeth. whilst composite veneers are made from synthetically engineered resin. All veneers are liable to fracture but porcelain veneers cannot be repaired and need replacement if fractured. Composite veneers can be repaired and although stain more easily can also be polished. For this reason and because they are less expensive, composite veneers are often preferred.
How Long Do Veneers Last?
In terms of durability, well cared porcelain veneers can reasonably be expected to last up to ten years. Composite veneers have a shorter expected lifespan typically lasting from 3-5 years, possibly up to seven or eight years on the higher end of the scale. It’s important to mention when comparing the two types of veneer material choices that damaged or chipped porcelain veneers must be fully replaced whereas damaged composite veneers can in fact be repaired in the majority of cases.
Can Veneers Become Stained Over Time?
Porcelain veneers are completely stain resistant which eliminates the need for future teeth whitening. Composite veneers are susceptible to staining in the same way as natural teeth are but are easily polished and repaired.
Which Option Should You Choose?
There is no definitive answer to this. It’s really a matter of personal choice having weighed up the pros and cons of both. Either type of veneer option is equally good for patients looking to improve the appearance of their teeth and both are made to look very natural. Porcelain veneers are more expensive because of the increased cost of the materials used, and the fact they take longer to place (typically the placement procedure will require a minimum of two visits). On the other hand, composite veneers can usually be placed in a single visit, are repairable and less expensive.
IMPORTANT NOTICE BEFORE BOOKING AN APPOINTMENT
***Attention Non-English Speaking Patients***
If you are unable to communicate effectively in the English language, please bring someone with you who can communicate with us on your behalf when attending your dental appointment