Composite veneers
Veneers are very popular in aesthetic dentistry. Thanks to them, you can have a beautiful smile. But first you need to know their types in order to choose the one that suits you best. Before choosing veneers, you should also consider possible contraindications. Not everyone can put them due to, for example, a wrong bite.
Composite veneers - indications and contraindications for installation
What are veneers?
Veneers are thin plates that are applied to the surface of teeth to mask visible aesthetic and health problems, such as discoloration, uneven color, and misshapen or undersized teeth. Veneers are made from several basic materials. Among others, we highlight veneers:
- porcelain,
- ceramics,
- all-ceramic,
- acrylic,
- composite
What characterizes composite veneers?
Composite veneers are made from a light-curing material identical to that used to fill carious tooth cavities. Among other available options, composite veneers highlight:
- relatively low price (see below for details),
- speed of execution - prepared directly in the patient's mouth, their application usually requires only one visit,
- minor trauma of the procedure - for their installation, only a small grinding of the upper layer of enamel is required, sometimes it is possible to attach the tooth to the crown without grinding. The procedure is not particularly painful, but can be performed under local anesthesia,
- not very natural - they have a uniform color, so they can look artificial against the background of real teeth,
- tendency to change color and a relatively low service life.
When are composite veneers placed?
A composite veneer is applied to mask discoloration on the crowns of teeth. They can also be used to lengthen or widen individual teeth to mask or completely eliminate unsightly gaps. As for contraindications, the most important are:
- untreated caries,
- periodontitis,
- wrong bite,
- very large cavities in the crowns,
- too small teeth.
Indications and contraindications are basically similar for all types of veneers, but for composite veneers, more attention should be paid to the general condition of the dentition. If the original teeth are dark, uneven and badly damaged, composite veneers may be too visually noticeable. They are also not a good solution for people who can't stop biting their nails or suffer from bruxism, which is involuntary teeth grinding. Composite is not the strongest material from which veneers can be made.
How to care for composite veneers?
The durability of composite veneers is estimated to be 2 to 5 years, provided they are properly manufactured and bonded. It should be remembered that this type of lining is attached only to the front teeth: incisors (ones and twos), canines (threes) or first premolars (fours), but they cannot be attached to molars, which are used for chewing food.
To avoid premature failure of veneers, you should refrain from:
- nail biting
- chewing food with front teeth,
- consumption of foods and strongly colored drinks, such as: blueberries, beets, coffee, red wine.
This is because the biggest problem in everyday use can be problems related to the appearance itself. Composite veneers tend to discolor relatively quickly, so a snow-white smile for which you have to pay a lot of money can quickly lose its shine.
Composite and porcelain veneers
Composite veneers are considered less durable and less aesthetic than those made from porcelain. Porcelain veneers are currently the most common standard on the market due to their mechanical strength - their service life is estimated at 7-10 years. Natural appearance is also extremely important. Unlike composite veneers, which look artificial, porcelain veneers are easy to integrate into oral aesthetics.
A small disadvantage is the length of the entire procedure associated with the manufacture and installation of porcelain veneers, due to the fact that they are made in an orthopedic laboratory - therefore, the patient has to visit the dentist several times. However, the price is a much bigger drawback. Porcelain teeth cost up to 5.5 thousand hryvnias per piece, that is, we will pay from 10 to 30 hryvnias for a set of front teeth.
How much do composite veneers cost?
Composite veneers are much less expensive. The price is within 2000 hryvnias per piece. This means that we will pay from 5 to 20 thousand hryvnias for the aesthetics of 12 front teeth, and it happens that this procedure can be done even cheaper. Our clinic offers significant discounts if we do more teeth at the same time.