Aesthetic / ceramic veneers: what you need to know

What are aesthetic/ceramic veneers?

Ceramic veneers are thin coatings on teeth that are made from special ceramic in a dental laboratory and then permanently bonded to the tooth surface by a dentist. They are the quickest and most effective way to transform your smile by instantly changing the size and shape of your teeth, removing discolouration, repairing gaps and fractures and can be a solution for larger gaps and other uneven teeth. The result is a more harmonious, brighter smile.

Ceramic veneers can be applied to all teeth, or even fewer, or just to the problem ones. However, it is always worth consulting your dentist, looking at the whole smile and face as one, to ensure the most aesthetic, beautiful result, that everything is in harmony and the end-result is natural.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of aesthetic/ceramic veneers?

Advantages:

The durability of our ceramic veneers is roughly 25-30 years.
You can get almost perfect results, larger gaps between teeth, positioning problems, deformities can be corrected much faster than orthodontics, not to mention perfect whiteness is possible!
Ceramic veneers are stain resistant and keep their colour (unlike composite or direct veneers).
Their colour, grooves and translucency make them very similar to natural teeth.
They are customizable, with a wide range of shades to choose from.
It is possible to apply only as many shells as necessary to achieve a perfect smile.
You can also improve your smile by changing the size of the shells to achieve better proportions. In many cases, a gum correction is recommended at the same time as the veneers are applied to achieve a perfect result.

Disadvantages:

In most cases, part of the natural tooth enamel has to be shaved off, which makes this procedure permanent, and many people refrain from the procedure.
However, many people don’t realise that traditional orthodontics can also damage enamel and that shaving is also done during the adjustment process!
Tenderness may be experienced for a few months.
The result may even seem too perfect. To avoid the artificial effect, the shells created by Moral Dent Clinic are hand-made and detailed.
Dental veneers can provide a solution to many problems, but they cannot correct everything if there is an underlying underlying underlying problem. It is always worth informing your dentist of any other complaints.
Veneers cannot be used in all cases. For more complicated bites, prior orthodontic treatment is unavoidable.
Bite forces can cause cracks in the ceramic layers. If you grind your teeth at night, you may want to have a night splint.

Who is a suitable patient for aesthetics/ceramic veneers?

If you have chosen aesthetic veneers, it is important to know that you must have good oral hygiene. Cleaning your veneers and teeth after treatment is of paramount importance. This is why any problems should be identified and fresh X-rays should be taken before the procedure.

Don’t worry about your teeth being crooked or dented, it’s OK if they are more tangled, the problem can be solved with the help of the veneers. Some cases may require extraction or prior orthodontic treatment for a difficult bite.

Teeth grinding is also not an exclusion, but the use of a night splint is essential.

Misconception: If you don’t “shell” or use veneers on all your teeth, you can achieve a perfectly matched result by pre-whitening adjacent teeth. Unfortunately, even if you have your teeth whitened to match the veneers, you will always notice some discrepancies.

How are aesthetic/ceramic veneers placed?

There will be an initial consultation where you will probably see a mock-up or computer simulation of how you would look with teeth of different shapes, sizes and colours. You may also be given a ‘workup’ model to put in your mouth to illustrate the overall effect you have in mind. During the initial consultation, the patient will tell us what result they want and the Doctor will detail how this can be achieved. After a brief examination and analysis of the X-ray, it will be determined if the patient is a suitable candidate for treatment. If so, and if the course of treatment is clear to the patient and the quotation is acceptable, then the first step is the tooth preparation, imprint taking and the shaving can begin at the consultation already.

Misconception: many people think that 3D mockups and digital imprints are necessary for such a treatment, but they are not required. In many cases 3D designs are misleading and lead to disappointment. Traditional mock-ups, on the other hand, often provide a more accurate basis for design.

The process is carried out under local anaesthetics throughout, with minimal discomfort and it is painless! Teeth are never cone shaved for shells, with minimal surface shaving. For more protruding or crooked teeth, more of the tooth surface will need to be removed, but the shape and size of the tooth agreed at the consultation will also influence the process.

For teeth that are healthy and in good condition, the procedure is minimally invasive, with the dentist actually shaving away very little of the enamel.

An imprint of the tooth is taken by the dentist and assistant and sent to the ceramist in the dental laboratory. Ceramists apply each layer by hand to give the veneers the most natural look. The preparation time takes about 10 days.

At the end of the process, temporary veneers are applied, which are made of composite material based on the imprint. Similar in appearance to the original teeth, but a temporary solution. Sensitivity may be experienced during the next two weeks, but the temporary teeth do not affect everyday life. Care should be taken when eating, as these elements are not as strong as real teeth or then permanent veneers, but there are no activities that are forbidden. Sensitivity to possibly pain varies from individual to individual, everyone experiences it differently.

Two weeks after preparation, the final veneers are applied under local anaesthesia. The dentist will first place the veneers without anchorage, making adjustments as necessary. Then, the tooth surface is roughened to give the shells a bonding surface, a thin layer of special adhesive is applied, the veneers are placed and light is used to activate the fast-drying adhesive. The process is quick and painless.

Once it is ready, after some waiting to reduce the effect of the anaesthetic – so that you feel as much as possible – the dentist checks the bite and makes the necessary adjustments. The whole process takes more time; you may have to stay in our clinic for several hours. You’ll also be back for another quick check-up the day after the fixation, so if implants have been placed, bring a fresh set of X-rays with you.

Is it painful to wear an aesthetic/ceramic veneers?

The healing process is not painful per se, but you may experience pain and tenderness in the following weeks. Painkillers can be taken but in all cases please let us know what you experience. Some people may experience no pain at all and the tenderness may go away in 1-2 days, others may take several months. The differences depend mostly on the individual reaction of the body, but sensitivity may be stronger in those who have more teeth grinding.

Sensitivity may also be caused by the adhesive, which can irritate the gums in some cases. This may only cause discomfort for the first six hours after the anaesthetic has worn off, after which the dull ache will subside.

Correct bite alignment and working with your dentist is very important, because improper bite alignment can lead to inflammation, which can cause pain. If your bite does not feel perfect after treatment, come in for your next check-up.

Are aesthetic/ceramic veneers a permanent solution?

Ceramic veneers are considered permanent as the process is irreversible. Like anything else, veneers are worth replacing at some point in your life. They usually last 20-25 years, with proper care and increased oxygenation. In some cases, it can last as long as 30-35 years. (Direct veneers placed on unpolished teeth have a much shorter lifespan, 5-7 years at most.)

The main causes of veneer damage are tooth grinding [bruxism] or accidents. If you grind your teeth at night or feel pain in your jaw in the morning, contact us to have a night splint made for you.

For veneers, it is still, and even more important, to take good care of your teeth. Tooth decay or injury can damage the veneers, so brush after every meal, floss regularly, and have two dental check-ups and cleanings a year. You play a huge role in maintaining the life of your veneers.

We recommend that you see a reputable dentist who has a wealth of experience with veneers. This is the best guarantee to secure, that your investment will last longer.