Types of Dental Veneers and What to Expect from Them

Patients with discolored, crooked, or damaged teeth may turn to composite or porcelain veneers in Denver to mask the aspects they don’t like about their smile. Unlike other restorative procedures, veneers are more affordable, which is why they’ve become increasingly popular in the US.  

Still, patients should consider other aspects besides costs before deciding on this treatment, like their mouth’s condition and oral health history. To help you stay informed, here’s a brief guide on the different types of dental veneers and how to figure out which option is best for you.

What Are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are a type of restorative dental treatment used to cover imperfections. These custom-made thin shells are attached to the surface of your teeth to improve their appearance. They can be used for fixing:

• Discolored or tainted teeth.

• Worn down or chipped teeth.

• Broken or fractured teeth.

• Teeth with an irregular form.

• Gaps between teeth.

• White spots or streaks on teeth, a common symptom of excessive fluoride use or fluorosis.

• Very slight misalignments.

• Asymmetric teeth.

Veneers are often referred to as “smile makeovers" because they can completely change the overall appearance of someone’s smile. You can use them to change a tooth’s length, size, color, shape, and more.

Types of Dental Veneers

With advancement in placement techniques and materials, veneers have experienced many changes throughout history. Nowadays, depending on a patient’s condition and their objectives, there are many types of veneers to choose from, each with their own set of advantages and disadvantages.  

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are the most common type. They’re made from porcelain or ceramic material, so they’re durable and natural-looking. Although porcelain veneers were created in 1930, porcelain has been a popular material in dentistry since the 1800s.

With proper care, these veneers can last from 10 to 20 years. Due to the material’s translucency, they are very similar to the patient’s original teeth. Unlike natural teeth, though, porcelain is stain-resistant. So, patients don’t have to worry about reducing their coffee intake to avoid tooth discoloration with porcelain veneers.

Each porcelain veneer is individually crafted in a laboratory, where a technician makes it the perfect size and shape. This process can take two to three weeks.

Unlike other types of veneers, porcelain ones are permanent. They require your dentist to trim part of your tooth enamel and make them the right size to attach the veneers. Because of that, after 10-20 years, you’ll have to replace them with a new set.

Composite Veneers

Composite veneers are less expensive than porcelain ones, but their appearance isn’t as natural. They also don’t last as long, with a life span of up to 5 years. After this time, the material begins to chip, becoming unsightly.  

However, composite veneers do offer some benefits. They can be fitted without removing any natural enamel, especially in cases where one patient’s tooth is smaller than the others. This means the treatment is fully reversible.  

Moreover, they can be applied in just one visit. Just like their porcelain counterparts, composite veneers are color-matched to your natural teeth. Then, your dentist will apply them with a dental bonding agent.

This paste is layered over the damaged teeth, and then your dentist will harden each layer with a special lamp. Once you’re satisfied with the veneer’s appearance, color, and shape, your dentist will polish it to look and feel like a natural tooth.  

Lumineers

Lumineers are recent types of ultra-thin translucent veneers that can be applied in one day with minimal tooth preparation. They don’t require tooth reduction or countering, so they’re fully reversible.

Lumineers can be 0.2 mm thick, making them semi-translucent and closely resembling the shape and color of your natural tooth—more so than porcelain veneers. However, this is also one of their disadvantages: Lumineers are more prone to chipping and have shorter lifespans than traditional veneers.

Additionally, they’re more transparent, making them unsuited to treat dark discolorations. The procedure for getting Lumineers is very simple: these small, compact shells are gently attached to the teeth to replace the worn-out surface.

Palatal Veneers

Also known as palatal onlays, these types of veneers are used to restore anterior (front) teeth. Things like bruxism, deep bite, tooth decay, and dental erosion due to acid reflux and excessive vomiting can cause palatal damage to anterior teeth. This is very common in patients with eating disorders.  

Palatal veneers are a great solution for restoring only the damaged internal part of the tooth while leaving the front part intact with no changes. However, these types of veneers are rare, as most patients tend to neglect damage that isn’t visible on their smile.

Removable or Snap-On Veneers

Removable or temporary veneers are a cost-effective way to cover tooth gaps, stains, misalignments, and missing teeth. As the name indicates, they can be put on and taken off, like a mouthguard.

Temporary veneers are less invasive, non-permanent, and cost-effective solutions, but they’re also more difficult to conceal, have shorter lifespans, and may cause discomfort.

Moreover, there isn’t enough research to certify their safety and efficiency. Dentists also suspect their long-term use can worsen oral hygiene, increase plaque buildup, and lead to tooth decay.

That is why, before purchasing them, we recommend scheduling an appointment with your dentist to see if they are a good fit for you and if they pose any added risks to a snap-on smile.

Interested in Getting Porcelain Veneers in Denver?

Scientific advancements have led to discoveries in materials and techniques, increasing the range of solutions available to patients. Depending on your objectives, budget, and unique condition, one type of dental veneer may seem more appealing than the other. Nevertheless, the only way to determine the best one for you is by having a professional go over your case.

If you’d like to visit Makowski Dental offices and get a proper evaluation, give us a call!