Dental veneers (also known as porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates) are thin, custom-made shells designed to cover the surface of your teeth. The shell is specially formulated with teeth-colored laminate. This drastically improves your teeth’s appearance—changing their color, size, and shape.
What Materials are Dental Veneers Made of?
Dental veneers are made of Porcelain or resin composite materials. It is an incredibly strong and reliable material that also looks and feels attractive. In general, porcelain veneers resist stains better and have similar light reflecting properties as natural teeth.
What are Dental Veneers Used for? What problems do they fix?
Here at Smile Well Dental, our dentists specialize in all types of dental procedures that improve the look and feel of your teeth, such as dental implants and bridges. Porcelain veneers are routinely used for teeth with the following characteristics:
- stained or discolored
- gaps between them
- chipped or broken teeth
- misaligned or uneven teeth (different lengths, for example)
How Long do Dental Veneers Last?
“Although porcelain veneers are stain-resistant and quite durable, they are not designed to last forever,” says Dr. Shin, principal dentist at Smile Well Dental’s North Vancouver location. “Once placed, dental veneers look and feel like natural tooth enamel. And they usually have a life expectancy of 10 years. Dental implants, on the other hand, are typically a life-long solution and generally last about 25-30 years.”
Traditional Porcelain Veneers vs. No-Prep Veneers
No-prep veneers like Lumineers® or DuraThin™ are veneers that don’t require much preparation and is a reversible procedure that can be removed from the teeth without much work. They are thinner than traditional dental veneers and don’t address all the same issues, but are good for some candidates.
Traditional porcelain veneers, on the other hand, require tooth preparation and take more work to alter if necessary. Due to the thick porcelain layer, these veneers can address nearly all teeth-related cosmetic imperfections. Traditional veneers are irreversible procedures that can be painful to experience and often requires anesthesia.
How to Care for Dental Veneers
Veneers are scratch-resistant, but not scratch-proof. They are durable but do not last forever. For proper maintenance of your porcelain veneers, follow these three simple tips:
- Brush your teeth a minimum of 2 times a day. Preferably, after each meal.
- Floss your teeth a minimum of 1 time a day. Preferably, after each meal.
- Rinse with antiseptic mouthwash 1-2 times a day. Preferably, after each meal.
Additional Tips to Care for Porcelain Veneers
- Use a nonabrasive toothpaste
- Invest in a soft-bristled toothbrush
- Avoid baking soda and charcoal—they scratch or damage your veneers.
- Consider using an electric toothbrush to remove debris and plaque better
- When flossing, do not pull on the string, but glide it gently to prevent infections
- Use alcohol-free mouthwash to prevent eroding the bonding that holds the veneers
Call Smile Well Dental to Learn More
Dental veneers aren’t permanent, but for some candidates, they might be the ideal solution. For others, maybe dental implants are the best solution. The best way to find out which procedure is suitable for your needs is to visit a trusted dentist.
Call North Vancouver Smile Well Dental Clinic at 778-340-2897 and schedule a consultation today. We serve patients living throughout Metro Vancouver at our convenient North Vancouver location. We also have an office in Surrey.
