Veneers are thin ceramic shells applied to the front teeth and are one of the most modern types of dental restoration.
Veneers allow you to quickly restore the aesthetics of a healthy tooth by hiding any defects: they can change the shape, enamel color, correct the position of teeth, and ultimately create a dazzling "Hollywood" smile. As is known, in the 1930s, American actors used ceramic plates before filming to make their smiles irresistible—these were the first Hollywood veneers, giving teeth perfect color and shape. The smile became stunning, but unfortunately, the effect was short-lived in those days.
Veneers in modern dentistry
Today, modern dentistry makes it possible to preserve the luxurious pearl-white smile permanently using veneers. Contemporary composite veneers do not require significant tooth preparation, and the bond strength of veneers to the tooth surface equals the natural bond between enamel and dentin.
Any type of veneer (composite, Hollywood, or ceramic) helps eliminate gaps between teeth, wear, wedge-shaped defects, chips, shape irregularities (e.g., veneers can visually lengthen short teeth), discoloration, trauma consequences, and antibiotic staining. They also help cover old fillings on the front teeth. Veneers do not stain and never change their original color. After placing veneers, teeth are resistant to wine, tobacco, coffee, and tea. The ceramic surface is so smooth that plaque hardly accumulates — veneered teeth are easy to maintain.
Veneers are often used when darkened enamel does not respond to whitening procedures. The main advantage of veneers is that, unlike crowns, they do not require nerve removal or heavy tooth reduction; only a light enamel polishing is needed before placement. The teeth gain a perfect shape and color while remaining vital.
Choosing your future veneers
During the first appointment, the doctor and patient determine the desired color and shape of the future veneers. Then, under anesthesia, the teeth are prepared—only a very thin layer of enamel is removed, after which impressions are taken. Using these impressions, ceramic veneers are fabricated in a dental laboratory.
When veneers are applied, the gums are not injured or discolored, as veneers successfully mimic the light-transmitting properties of natural enamel — light entering the ceramic surface penetrates to a certain depth and reflects back from the opaque cement and tooth structure underneath. Such a tooth looks completely natural.