Veneers are a way for cosmetic dentists to drastically improve the appearance of your smile, particularly if your teeth have endured extensive damage or are irregularly shaped. Fitting veneers is one of the services we offer at OptiSmile as part of our vast range of advanced dental treatments. We also offer composite veneers.
We aim to preserve as much of your natural smile and provide an improved smile using the highest quality materials and the latest technology. For example, we employ advanced Digital Smile Design technology to ensure our patients receive the best idea of their new smile before we embark on any extensive dental alterations.
Cosmetic dentistry veneers are intended to help patients with teeth that are severely misshapen, damaged, or discoloured. They are custom-made shells meant to cover the tooth’s front surface. They are intended to look as natural as possible when used correctly.
Dental veneers can be made from porcelain or composite resin. Resin veneers require having less of the actual tooth removed as part of the placement, but which choice will depend on the state of your teeth and your desired outcome.
At OptiSmile, we need to work with our patients and use proven systems to build the best smile for them. If you are unsure about your options, come for a first consultation. You will be surprised at the great technologies available to help restore or even improve your smile.
01
Consultation
As part of our consultation process, we will do an oral examination, x-rays (if required), take photos of your mouth and then take a digital 3D scan.
02
Digital Smile Design
This is then sent over the cloud to a highly skilled artist and digital dental laboratory technician, where a digital smile design and virtual wax-up are created.
This process is known as Digital Smile Design, and it allows patients to get an idea of what they are likely to expect before we embark on any work on the teeth themselves.
A technician digitally designs tooth shape and anatomy, which is accurately transferred to the teeth using moulds formed around the design and injecting a flowable ceramic composite material into the mould to fill up the space between the teeth and the new design. This allows for a perfectly accurate plan of the tooth shape and the bite and guided movement of the teeth together, helping the teeth function together and preventing chipping or breaking of the composite material.
There is no removal of healthy tooth structure, but old fillings would need to be removed to ensure the best bond directly to the tooth. It does not cover the entire tooth surface. Therefore, it blends into the tooth’s colour. This means that sometimes it is better to have whitening done before to ensure a good colour match. The composite material cannot be whitened later. Therefore, it is best to get to a colour you are happy with before starting with the bonding.
Injection moulded composite bonding (composite veneers) is used to replace larger fractured or worn-away tooth structures or change the shape of a tooth more than composite fillings. It is commonly used for younger patients and those who do not wish to remove healthy tooth structures, as is required in the case of porcelain veneers.
The composite material can discolour, chip or leak with time – the material we use is highly polishable and, therefore does not discolour as quickly as other materials. Patients who grind their teeth need constant night protection regarding a bite plate or occlusal guard as they will chip or break unless they use one. Any breakage can be repaired by adding composite material and using the designed models to improve as close to the original. Injection moulded composite bonding can be replaced later with new injection moulded veneers, ceramic veneers, or crowns. It is doubtful that you will ever want a crown after having a conservative composite veneer.
On the first visit, the dentist will prepare your tooth by drilling your natural tooth enamel quite thin to make space for the new Veneer to be glued to the front of the tooth. A mould or digital scan of your teeth will be taken. A dental laboratory will manufacture the new veneers according to the smile design. The best ceramic for veneers is called E-Max. If used correctly, this lithium-disilicate class is the only one guaranteed against breakage for ten years. If you get cheap veneers, they will be an inferior material to an original E-Max.
We will make you temporary veneers from the smile design. This will give you an idea of what the lab will be making. Be aware that they are not a very good indication of the translucency of the final ceramic, and the polish will not be as natural.
You will need to wear temporary veneers for one to two weeks. These are very brittle and can break easily unless you are very careful. Temporary veneers are not required for the injection moulded composite technique.
On the second visit, we remove your temporary veneers, and your new veneer will be bonded to what is left of the natural tooth. You will require injections.
Before veneers are cemented to your natural teeth, the veneers will be placed over the tooth to ensure it is a good fit in terms of size and colour.
The veneers, at this stage, can still be trimmed, coloured, or reshaped as needed.
The teeth are cleaned and then placed onto the tooth with special cement. Once the tooth is in a perfect position, the adhesive is exposed to a special light beam that causes the glue to harden, locking the veneer securely. The final step involves the removal of any excess adhesive between the teeth.
In cases where the veneer is not bonded to enamel because of excessive drilling on teeth that were a bit skew and did not have alignment first, or recession, or other reasons, the veneer will not bond very well. A veneer bonded to dentine and not enamel has a shorter lifespan, will stain at the edges faster, and break or dislodge frequently.
The price of dental veneers can differ depending on several factors that affect the cost. This includes the material you choose and the location of the tooth receiving the veneer. Composite Bonded veneers are a more affordable option than regular porcelain veneers. Also, a front tooth would cost more than a tooth at the less visible back.
The average cost of dental veneers is R6200 to R16800 per tooth. The final price will depend on the number of veneers you need and the type of veneer material chosen. Dental insurance rarely covers cosmetic procedures like veneers.
When it comes to dental treatment, cutting corners and opting for a cheaper choice can cost you more in the long run.
Choosing Cheap Veneers Can Lead to Issues Such As:
It is essential to have regular dental check-ups and cleanings. Check-ups will help remove plaque that your toothbrush cannot get rid of.
Remember that you will need to replace your veneers at some point, no matter how well you take care of them. However, taking diligent care of your teeth and going to the dentist regularly will help them last longer.
Dental veneers are extremely thin pieces of porcelain bonded to the front surfaces of teeth to improve their appearance. They are an increasingly popular option for people who want to make minor adjustments to the look of their smile. Veneers can be used to correct a wide range of cosmetic dental issues, including gaps between teeth, chips, and stains. They are also a good option for people who have misshapen or slightly crooked teeth. While dental veneers are typically made from porcelain, they can also be made from composite resin. Before choosing dental veneers, it is essential to consult with a qualified dentist to discuss whether they are the right option for you.
Explore further: What are dental veneers
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