Veneers
What are Veneers?
Veneers are essentially tooth-shaped ‘covers’ that go over the entire front surface of the tooth. They are usually made from thin porcelain, but nowadays they can also be made of a composite material.
The dentist will need to prepare the tooth for a veneer by filing down your existing tooth in a conservative manner. The dentist will then make impressions of your teeth and send them off to a dental laboratory to make the veneers. In the meantime, a temporary veneer would be placed on your tooth. Once your veneer is ready, it would be fixed with a dental adhesive.
Comparison of Porcelain Veneers with Composite Veneers/ Bonding
Porcelain Veneer
Number of visits : At least 2
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Staining : High resistance to staining
Repairs: Cannot be repaired. Replacement is the only option if the veneer is damaged.
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Longevity: Porcelain veneers can last for many years.
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Cost: Porcelain veneers are more expensive.
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Tooth Preparation: Porcelain veneers require the removal of some of the tooth surface. Once a tooth has been prepared for a veneer, that tooth structure has been altered and the preparation to the tooth is irreversible.
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Appearance: Porcelain veneers are better able to produce a highly pleasing appearance.
Local anaesthesia: Is needed at tooth preparation visit.
Damage: Less likely to break/chip
Composite Veneer/Bonding
Number of visits: 1 visit
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Staining: More likely to stain over time
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Repairs: Can be repaired.
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Longevity: Composite veneers/bonding will need to be replaced/refreshed more frequently.
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Cost: Composite veneers/bonding is cheaper than porcelain veneers.
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Tooth preparation: Composite veneer/bonding can be done with little or no tooth preparation. It is a more conservative procedure.
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Appearance: Composite veneers/bonding are less able to produce a highly pleasing appearance.
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Local anaesthesia: Not necessary if tooth preparation is not done.
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Damage: More likely to break/chip.
Gallery
Smile Makeover using Porcelain Veneers
Smile Makeover using Porcelain Veneers