A New, Improved Smile Is Within Reach.
Veneers are a way in which cosmetic dentists can 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 offer composite veneers as well.
We aim to preserve as much of your natural smile and provide an improved smile using the highest quality materials and latest technology. For example, we employ advanced Digital Smile Design technology to ensure our patients receive the best idea of what their new smile will look like 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 with the help of proven systems to build the best smile for you. If you are unsure about your options, come for a first consultation. You would be surprised at the great technologies available to help restore or even improve your smile.
This is dependent on the condition of your teeth, but these are some of the instances in which you may consider getting veneers:
Darkened, stained, and discoloured teeth (due to antibiotics, teeth age, etc.)
Thanks to the fantastic properties of the veneer materials, veneers can be constructed so they completely mask the discolouration of teeth. And where one has only a few discoloured teeth, veneers can be used to blend the bad teeth to the colour of their healthier neighbours.
Some individuals have irregular gaps between teeth, making their smiles unsightly. With veneers, dental specialists can fill those gaps to make the teeth look completely naturally spaced
Teeth that have irregular shapes, are crooked or are improperly positioned can be masked with the help of veneers. The result is an amazingly even set of teeth that look perfectly shaped and aligned with the rest of the teeth
If you have broken, chipped, or severely worn off teeth are ideal candidates for dental veneers
And in other cases, veneers can serve as a better alternative for patients who may be considering dental crowns. And because they last a long time and are cheaper and painless (compared to other dental procedures) to install.
Veneers may not always be the best solution for everyone and may not be recommended in instances of:
However, OptiSmile offers several solutions, so if veneers are not an option, there are likely to be other solutions that are better for you.
It is straightforward. Book an initial consultation to assess your teeth’ condition and see whether veneers are the best option.
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, and the design 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 in terms of a bite plate or occlusal guard as they will chip or break unless they use one. If any breakage occurs, it 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.
A veneer is a thin ceramic shell that fits over a damaged, misshapen, or discoloured tooth. The process involves two visits to your cosmetic dentist over approximately two weeks.
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. This lithium-disilicate class is the only one guaranteed against breakage for ten years if used correctly. 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 little 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 R4400 to R15000 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 sometimes cost you more in the long run. Dentist Cape Town prices can vary greatly.
Choosing Cheap Veneers Can Lead to Issues Such As:
It is always better to choose a high-quality, reliable solution for your dental treatment rather than treatment based solely on the price. Cheap veneers can often lead to costly maintenance and ongoing dentist visits, as well as the embarrassment of appearing more noticeable and less natural.
Whether you have ceramic or composite resin veneers, taking proper care of them is essential.
You should brush and floss your veneers like your regular teeth. Brushing and using fluoride toothpaste every day will help keep them looking good.
When you eat hard foods, like raw carrots or ice, it is best to first chop them up into smaller pieces. This will make it easier to eat them without hurting your teeth.
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.
Veneers are considered to be a permanent dental procedure because they are bonded to your natural teeth. However, it is important to note that veneers can become damaged or stained over time, and they may need to be replaced at some point in the future. Nevertheless, dental veneers offer a safe and effective way to improve the appearance of your smile.
