Dental veneers are thin porcelain prostheses that stick to the anterior surface of the teeth, providing a natural and attractive appearance. Dental veneers are used to correct fractured, stained, misaligned, worn, uneven teeth or with abnormal separation.
Types of dental veneers
The two most common materials used in the manufacture of dental veneers are resin and porcelain. Both types can be manufactured by a prosthetist in the dental prosthesis laboratory. The dental veneers stick to the teeth with resinous cement. Porcelain is a weak material but when it sticks firmly to the tooth, it can become very strong and durable. The veneers of resin can also be manufactured by the dentist in the office.
Extra information on dental veneers
How are the veneers placed?
The dentist removes a small amount from the surface of the tooth to allow the placement of the sheets. Then, she removes the impression of the teeth and sends it to a prosthetic laboratory. The veneer is made so that it fits perfectly between the tooth and the mouth. The veneer sticks to the tooth with resinous cement. The dental veneers should be cleaned like your own teeth. Flossing once a day and brushing at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste help remove food residue and bacterial plaque. Please consult your dentist and ask him to recommend oral hygiene products that help maintain the durability of dental restorations.
Crowns to Cap it Off
Much like a monarch’s headdress draping over the head, a crown almost, if not entirely, replaces the enamel “cap” of a tooth. The term “cap” is used synonymously with the crown. A crown replaces the entire external form of a tooth, down to the gum level [Figures 3, 4 and 5]. Whatever inner core of tooth remains, “crowning” a tooth re-establishes its natural form, as well as its function (how it contacts other teeth). Whether from the ravages of tooth decay or from trauma, replacing large amounts of tooth structure is part of the crown design. Crowning teeth can also create dramatic improvements for patients whose teeth have been worn by bruxism (grinding habits) or by enamel erosion.
Like veneers, crowns are also excellent for changing tooth color and shape; in some cases, they can facilitate this change more easily. Porcelain crowns are generally necessary when more tooth structure has been lost and therefore more material is needed to replace it. Conversely, if more tooth structure needs to be lightened (because of deeper staining) and/or strengthened, a crown will serve as the restoration of choice. For back teeth that receive the greater biting force, newer and stronger “all-ceramic” crowns may be a better alternative.
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