Porcelain veneers are thin pieces of ceramic fused on to the outer side of the teeth, primarily intended to cover yellowed teeth, making them whiter and brighter. They are mainly recognized as a smile-makeover solution that is durable and lasting. They are considered as a very popular and safe approach to restore teeth with spectacular results on the aesthetic of a smile.
Veneers are also considered as a much more conservative solution in comparison to the solution of a full-coverage dental crown, but they are not indicated at all clinical cases and all patients. The two main materials used to improve a patient’s smile with veneers can be of composite resins or porcelain.
Veneers can correct:
- Misaligned teeth
- Spaces between teeth
- Discoloration of teeth
- Broken teeth
- Non-harmonic level of uneven teeth
Before placement of veneers it is absolutely necessary for the patient to have good oral hygiene and a periodontal free oral cavity (or at least stable under treatment or follow-ups by the dentist). Patients should also have realistic expectations considering the final result and a thorough discussion with the dentist should precede the realization of the treatment plan in order for the patient and the dentist to fully understand the possibilities of a smile make-over individually at each patient.
Ceramic veneers also have some important contraindications where they can not be applied. One of this cases is when the patient’s tooth has very little enamel for the porcelain veneer to show a good prognosis after its final cementation. In these cases insufficient enamel structure can cause later decementation of the veneer due to insufficient bonding. Another important contraindication is that of patients who exhibit bruxism as a habit (teeth grinding). The force during chewing or biting where teeth grinding takes place, is very strong and can cause a porcelain veneer to fracture.
The only way to ascertain if a patient is a good candidate for porcelain veneers, is by a special Prosthodontist or Aesthetic Dentist. The dentist will evaluate the case after reviewing the patient’s dental/medical history, the intraoral situation, the patient’s expectations as well as the possibilities and procedure required for the desired outcome before a decision is made for the application of a porcelain veneers.
