Composite veneers – a brief introduction
These days an increasing number of people all over the world are going after smile improvement treatments. The trend is no different in the UK. If you are considering undergoing this type of treatment then perhaps dental veneers is a good option for you. But what are exactly these veneers? These are ultra-thin shells; these shells fit over the front surface of your teeth. In other words, veneers mask the flaws or any other aesthetic deficit of your teeth to improve their appearance. Modern dentistry offers several options to enhance the appearance of the teeth. Veneers are one such option. The other alternatives include enameloplasty, tooth bonding and even dental crowns.
Dental veneers are available in two varieties – composite and porcelain veneers. Composite veneers are made from resin that comes in the colour of your tooth. This resin is the same material that is used in tooth bonding. On the other hand, porcelain veneers are custom made from porcelain and that is easily implied in the name itself.
Both varieties of veneers have their pros and cons. Therefore you must approach it with a little cautiousness. First, it is important to zero in on the issue that you expect to sort out with veneer treatment. Next, it is also important to decide on your budget. Once you achieve these clarities, then it is time to move ahead with your veneer treatment.
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Who are veneers for?
Dental veneers are ideal to cover up any imperfection with the tooth. It is one of the easiest, straightforward and reliable ways to brighten up your smile says a dentist who offers a reasonable price for composite veneers in the UK. Typical issues that the veneer treatment can convincingly sort out include crooked or misshaped teeth, discoloured or stained teeth, chipped teeth and others. Veneers treatment is one of the ideal options for cases that involve erosion of the outermost enamel covering of the teeth.
Veneers cover a portion of your teeth’ surface. But these are different from dental crowns which are common for dental restorations. Crowns are much thicker compared to veneers. A crown also covers an entire tooth both at the front and the back. Usually, crowns also require more trimming of the tooth compared to that of veneers. Veneers prove to be an ideal choice for you if your teeth are already in a sound condition. Veneers are certainly a suitable option when you just want to change the appearance of your teeth – like shape or colour.
A crown is usually used for teeth that are more damaged, worn out and weaker. Patients who undergo a root canal or suffer a broken tooth are usually more suitable for dental crowns.
Different types of veneers
A dentist can ask you to choose between three different varieties of veneers, namely direct composite veneers, indirect composite veneers and porcelain veneers. Now let us explore each of these varieties individually.
Direct composite veneers
The range of veneers is made from a composite resin material. This variety of veneers is applied directly to your teeth. Usually, it does not take much time for dentists to prepare your teeth to apply veneers. This application process is also minimally invasive.
Indirect composite veneers
A dentist who quotes reasonable cost for composite veneers in London has something important to say in the present context. According to him, there is no material difference between direct and indirect composite veneers. The difference lies in the process of application. The teeth are prepared in the same way for both direct and indirect composite veneers. But indirect composite veneers are ‘indirectly’ custom-made outside a patient’s mouth. The customisation is carried out either in a dental lab or a dentist’s office.
Custom designing your indirect veneers takes some time. Meanwhile, you will be given a set of temporary veneers. By the next appointment, your indirect composite veneers are ready and the same are applied to your teeth. Applying indirect composite veneers requires the use of a layer of adhesive. Indirect composite veneers can accept more abrasions. Compared to direct veneers it can also resist fractures much better. On the flip side, indirect composite veneers are more expensive compared to their direct counterpart.
Porcelain veneers
As the name implies, the range of veneers is made from porcelain. These are custom designed for a patient’s teeth. First, an impression of your teeth is prepared by your dentist. Based on the impression your veneers are custom designed in a dental lab. A dentist who offers composite veneers in London at reasonable cost says the custom designing process may take about a week or even a little longer depending upon the current workload of the dental lab. Meanwhile, you are given a set of temporary veneers. You use these temporary veneers throughout the wait time just similar to that of indirect composite veneers.
When the permanent version is ready you visit the dentist again. The expert cements the ultra-thin shells of porcelain to the front surface of your teeth. then those shells are brought to shape to make them appear as natural as it is possible.
How composite veneers and porcelain veneers differ
Both varieties of veneers have their advantages and disadvantages. It is important to you to know both the pros and cons of each of the varieties. This helps you weigh both the downsides and the benefits. Thus you can easily make an informed decision.
Porcelain veneers advantages
- Porcelain veneers are quite hardy and durable. Made from stronger material, it easily lasts for years together.
- This offers more natural-looking results.
- Compared to composite veneers this version can sort out the issue of your severely stained teeth. it can also fix more severely misaligned teeth as well.
Composite veneers advantages
- Composite veneers are reasonably priced.
- The application process is also much shorter compared to the other version.
- It proves effective in masking several dental aesthetic issues including misshapen or crooked teeth, discoloured or stained teeth and other factors, points out a dentist working at the Thousand Smiles Dental Clinic in London.
Porcelain veneers disadvantages
- This is the costliest type of veneer that you can get for your teeth.
- The application process is a little expensive. You may have to visit the practice more than once.
- The version of veneers is prone to fall off. Thus it has to be re-glued to the teeth time and again.
Composite veneers disadvantages
- Reasonably cost composite veneers are made from a composite material which is weaker as well as less sturdy and durable compared to porcelain. Thus composite veneers are easy to get chipped.
- As a result, your composite veneers may require repairing or replacing quite frequently.
