What Material Are Dental Veneers Made Of?

Dec 3, 2018 | Uncategorized

Dental veneers, also known as dental porcelain laminates, are thin shells made from durable, tooth-colored material. Veneers are applied to the front surfaces of teeth to create an attractive and uniform appearance. Bonded to your natural teeth through an artificial root, veneers can help fix tooth color, shape, length and width.

Dental veneers are a great cosmetic dentistry option if your teeth are discolored, worn down, chipped, misaligned, uneven or gapped. The solutions that veneers routinely provide have made veneers one of the most recognizable and popular treatment procedures in cosmetic dentistry.

Dental veneer materials

When it comes to the materials used in a veneer procedure, the dentist and patient can collaborate and discuss their options. There are pros and cons to the two main types of materials used for making veneers. It is always in a patient’s best interest to research and understand these materials before coming to their final conclusion. The two main types of veneers are: porcelain veneers and composite veneers.

Porcelain veneers

These are also known as traditional veneers. Initially beginning as a simple solution to improving one’s smile in the entertainment industry, their popularity quickly rose as smile makeovers were becoming more and more demanding. Porcelain veneers consist of a thin ceramic shell that is molded to fulfill a specific shape on the front side of a tooth. They also provide strength and resilience comparable to natural tooth enamel.

It is important to note that this procedure is irreversible. However, the natural tooth aesthetic that is synonymous with porcelain veneers still makes it a popular choice in situations where the original tooth may have developed poor shape, color or fracturing. For teeth that are resistant to whitening, a porcelain veneer is a great way to make even the darkest teeth look bright white. Porcelain, or traditional, veneers can easily maintain effectiveness with proper aftercare and boast a 10-year lifespan or longer.

Composite veneers

These are also known as bonded veneers. These veneers use a resin composite material to cover a damaged tooth on the front end. The veneer is then smoothed and polished to create a more genuine, natural look that the patients aspire for. Composite veneer procedures also tend to be less invasive and noticeably quicker than its porcelain counterpart. Arguably, the biggest advantage that composite veneers hold over porcelain is reversibility. The procedure is much smoother, and nothing is permanently altered to the point of no return.

Resin composite veneers also provide strength and resilience comparable to natural tooth enamel, similar to porcelain. Composite veneers are a popular option available for those with teeth resistant to whitening. However, with more physical appeal comes at a greater maintenance cost. Composite, or bonded, veneers are more susceptible to chipping or staining, causing more visits to the doctor for repairs than traditional veneers. These composite veneers hold a shelf life of five to 10 years, depending on the maintenance of the patient.

Dental veneers can help restore your cracked, chipped or broken tooth back to normal, improving your appearance and self-confidence. You’re simply one visit away from beginning your very own smile makeover!

Are you considering dental veneers in the Leawood area? Get more dental veneers information at .

Call our Leawood, KS, dental office to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.

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