Everything You Need to Know About Veneers

11 reviews

Crossroads Dental Clinic

Deira
Dubai

What are the main types of veneers?

When you talk about veneers you can categorize them into 2 types. Firstly, there is the chairside veneer (also known as composite resin veneers). If a patient visits our clinic and wants to have a veneer made, and is restricted by time such as having a wedding, engagement or some type of function the following day, or happens to be a tourist here in Dubai, what we will provide is a composite veneer. We clean and polish the tooth properly, before asking the patient to choose a shade of the veneer. As a result, we can change the color and shape of the tooth and this process can be completed in only 2 to 3 hours.

If the patient has time to spend and isn’t restricted by it, then we can proceed with a laboratory-made veneer (ceramic veneer) where we use Zirconia or the most commonly used veneer type is the Lithium Disilicate (porcelain veneer) also referred to by dentists as the E.max veneers. These type of veneers are used by 90 percent of dentists. Once fitted on the surface of a patient’s tooth, the veneer is extremely strong, shiny, and be custom-made according to the patient’s needs. If it’s 20 teeth, it can take 4 to 5 days to complete. According to social media and other news outlets, some people refer to veneers as “Hollywood Smile” but is nothing more than a full mouth make-over through the use of veneers.

Lumineers is a company so far as I know, uses a patented material called Cerinate (porcelain-based) which is a very thin shell-shaped veneer. It can bonded directly onto the tooth and is very strong. They are the pioneers in creating non-preparation veneers so you don’t need to shave the tooth because the thickness of Lumineers is so thin that it can be placed on the tooth without any protrusion.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of  chairside veneers (composite resin veneers)?

Within your first appointment, you can leave the clinic with a complete smile. It is very cost-effective however it does have its disadvantages. The prices and results can vary according to the dentist’s experience but the biggest advantage is that the veneer can be completed then and there. Composite resin veneers need regular polishing every 3 to 4 months if you’re a smoker or eat a lot of stain-causing foods (eg. Coffee, spices etc.). They can also chip off especially in younger children as they have oral tendencies such as opening bottle caps with their teeth. Composite veneers can’t withstand such forces.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of  ceramic veneers (porcelain/lithium disilicate veneers)?

When you choose to go with preparation veneers such as Zirconia, or E.max veneers, or non-preparation veneers such as Lumineers, the durability and longevity of these veneers are far better than composite veneers once applied. Ceramic veneers are also stain-resistant and if made correctly without air gaps, can last you forever. Forever means 15 to 20 years.

How do I know if my veneers are good?

The most beautifully done veneers by the best dentists will take care of these following factors: veneers are not impinging on the gums, not short of the gum line and after placement of the veneers, the patient is able to floss between them just as they would their natural teeth.

What’s better: Orthodontics or Veneers?

What has to be done must be done. If alignment is necessary you can mask the tooth with a veneer to a certain extent. However, why try to mask something, as you wouldn’t want to wear clean clothes without taking a shower. Right? So, I have to believe that the teeth need to be aligned properly and then I can enhance it in terms of the color. If my teeth are twisted and simply want to cover them up with veneers to mask the misalignment then it’s not the right choice.

Click here to check the Top 10 Veneer Prices we have found in Dubai