The author of the article
Boris Lipovetskiy, DMD, 31 years experience
Are you looking to improve your smile? Wondering if veneers are the perfect solution?
The prosthodontists at ADW Center have prepared an article where you'll learn everything about dental veneers:
- When are they needed?
- What are the pros and cons?
- How are they made and applied?
- How should you care for them?
Read the full review and decide if veneers are right for you!
What Are Teeth Veneers?
Dental veneers are micro-prosthetics in the form of thin shells. They are custom-made from the patient’s dental impressions and are bonded to the front surface of the teeth.
Veneers can be made from composite, porcelain, ceramic, or zirconium dioxide. They are used to cover enamel imperfections, change the color of teeth, and create a stunning, Hollywood-esque smile.
What Do Veneers Look Like?
Veneers are thin micro-prosthetics shaped to match the front surface of teeth, with a thickness of just 0.6-0.8 mm. They’re ideal for restoring front teeth in the smile zone: incisors, canines, and premolars.
Typically, instead of placing just 1-2 veneers, a full set of 10 veneers is applied on the upper jaw and 8 on the lower, completely transforming the smile.
"Imagine a flawless smile crafted just for you. Veneers act like a perfect outer layer for your teeth, covering anti imperfections and enhancing brightness and shape. It’s a cosmetic refresh that’s securely bonded in place, giving you a durable, natural-looking smile that’s ready to shine for years.
As dentist, I’d love to help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. Let’s explore how veneers can make a difference for you — schedule a consultation, and let’s create your best smile together!"
Smile Transformations – Before and After Veneers
A patient came to ADW Center unhappy with her upper teeth due to yellowed enamel, slight misalignment, and worn incisors. Dr. Boris Lipovetskiy recommended a smile makeover with veneers.
He prepared her upper front teeth and applied 10 E-max ceramic veneers. Using E-max veneers, Dr. Lipovetskiy corrected all the aesthetic issues that concerned the patient. He covered discoloration, adjusted the shape and size of her incisors, canines, and premolars, resulting in a beautifully transformed smile.
A woman consulted Dr. Boris Lipovetskiy with concerns about the appearance of her smile. She was troubled by enamel wear and yellowing. Attempts to whiten her teeth on her own had only worsened the defects.
After a thorough examination, Dr. Lipovetskiy carefully restored the natural anatomical shape of her teeth, selecting ceramic veneers in the ideal shape and color to reconstruct her smile. Using computer templates, a dental technician crafted the veneers from her dental impressions. Dr. Lipovetskiy then prepared the enamel and securely placed the veneers.
The patient now enjoys a beautiful, natural smile, confidently smiling and speaking without hesitation.
Indications for Veneers
Veneers are a cosmetic dentistry solution to restore both the health and aesthetics of your smile. Veneers may be right for you if you have:
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Chips, cracks, or enamel deformities
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Enamel discoloration (dark, gray, yellow) from natural factors, smoking, food dyes, tetracycline use, fluorosis, or improper root canal treatment
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Mild tooth crowding
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Wide gaps between teeth (diastema, tremas)
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Worn edges on incisors, canines, or premolars
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Large, dark fillings
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Wedge-shaped defects
Important
Using veneers to close gaps (tremas, diastemas) isn’t always the best solution. If the gaps are too wide, the veneers may need to be overly large, creating an unnatural appearance. In such cases, orthodontic treatments like braces or aligners may be a better option to correct spacing.
Who Should Avoid Veneers?
Veneers may not be suitable for smile correction if you have:
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Cavities or non-carious defects covering more than one-third of the tooth surface. -
Bruxism (involuntary jaw clenching). -
Broken teeth, which are better restored with dental crowns. -
Severe occlusion issues (crossbite, deep traumatic bite). -
Severe enamel wear, as veneer adhesion would be weak. -
Metal or metal-ceramic crowns or bridges on opposing teeth. -
Gum disease, such as gingivitis or periodontitis. -
Grade II-III tooth mobility due to gum and bone recession. -
Missing premolars or molars, as the increased bite force on front teeth would be too much for veneers.
Pros and Cons of Veneers
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Quick Transformation: In just a couple of weeks, patients can enjoy a completely new, attractive smile. -
Versatility: Veneers can cover cavities, repair tooth damage, improve enamel color, and correct minor bite issues all at once. -
Durability: Veneers typically last around 10 years, and with proper care, they can last 15 years or more. -
Strength: Veneers handle moderate chewing forces, allowing you to use them like natural teeth.
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Irreversibility: Veneers require enamel to be shaved down to match their thickness. Once placed, they cannot simply be removed, and if damaged, they must be replaced with new veneers.
Should You Get Veneers?
"If you have minor enamel imperfections or slightly darkened teeth but overall healthy teeth, simpler cosmetic options may be a better fit, such as professional cleaning, whitening, fluoride treatments, or composite bonding.
However, if you have significant damage, noticeable defects, discoloration, or are looking for a complete smile makeover, consult a dentist. They can determine if veneers are the right solution and guide you in selecting the best treatment plan."
Types of Dental Veneers
Veneers come in different types based on the material, each with unique benefits, limitations, and manufacturing processes.
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Composite Veneers Made from composite materials, similar to fillings, composite veneers are crafted directly in the patient’s mouth. After minimal enamel preparation, the dentist applies the material to the tooth surface and shapes it to fit. These veneers can be placed in a single visit, but their lifespan is shorter, around 5-8 years. They also require touch-ups every six months due to color fading, chipping, or deformation.
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Porcelain Veneers Porcelain veneers are made from feldspathic ceramic and are crafted using patient molds. They’re layered and either sintered or pressed for durability, achieving a flexural strength of up to 150 MPa. Porcelain veneers mimic the natural enamel’s translucency and are resistant to stains from tobacco and food. They last 10 years or more.
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E-max Ceramic Veneers E-max veneers are crafted from dental glass-ceramics using digital impressions. They come in two types:
- E-max PRESS: Created by press-molding and baking at high temperatures.
- E-max CAD: Milled using computer-controlled equipment.
Known for their balance of aesthetics and durability, E-max veneers mimic natural enamel color transitions and have a flexural strength of 370-400 MPa. They last a minimum of 15 years.
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Zirconia Veneers Zirconia veneers are milled from zirconium dioxide blocks using CAD/CAM technology. Often coated with ceramic for added aesthetics, they are the strongest type, with a flexural strength up to 1,400 MPa. Zirconia veneers are highly durable (up to 20 years) and resist breakage and color changes, though they lack the enamel-like translucency of ceramic veneers.
Which Veneers Should You Choose?
- Composite Veneers: Ideal for quick solutions, crafted in a single visit, providing an immediate smile transformation.
- Porcelain Veneers: Best if aesthetic perfection is your main priority.
- Zirconia Veneers: Ideal for maximum durability and strength.
- E-max Veneers: Perfect for a balance of beauty and strength, offering a natural look with long-lasting resilience.
Veneer Placement Stages
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Consultation – 1 Visit (Up to 1.5 Hours) During the first visit, the dentist discusses the patient’s smile concerns and preferences. A thorough oral examination is conducted to identify any dental or gum issues. Using a T-scan, the dentist assesses the patient’s bite and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) to ensure veneers are a suitable option.
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Preparation and Impressions – 2-3 Visits (1.5 Hours Each) Before placing veneers, any oral inflammation is treated, and all plaque and tartar are professionally cleaned. Digital impressions of both jaws are then taken to create wax and digital models of the desired smile. The dentist and patient review veneer shape and color options.
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Fabrication and Placement – 2 Visits (1-3 Hours) The dentist prepares the enamel, reducing its thickness by up to 0.5-0.7 mm to ensure proper fit and bite alignment. Another digital impression is taken and sent to the lab for final veneer creation. Temporary veneers are placed to protect the prepped enamel. During the final visit, the temporary veneers are removed, and the permanent veneers are securely bonded using dental cement.
What to Do After Getting Veneers
Of course, enjoy your new Hollywood smile! But to keep your restored teeth looking beautiful for as long as possible, follow these dentist-recommended tips:
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Maintain Good Oral Hygiene Brush twice a day with a soft brush and use a medium-abrasive toothpaste.
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Clean Between Teeth Use an irrigator or floss with a firm tip to remove food particles and plaque from between your teeth.
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Avoid Hard Foods Steer clear of hard foods like nuts, seeds, and crackers. Cut tough foods like steak and raw vegetables into smaller pieces instead of biting directly.
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Avoid Smoking Tobacco quickly stains veneers, turning them an unappealing yellow-brown.
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Limit Staining Foods and Drinks Minimize dark-colored foods and beverages, like black tea, coffee, red wine, juices, sodas, and deeply pigmented fruits and vegetables (e.g., blueberries, beets, tomatoes).
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Avoid DIY Whitening Products Skip at-home whitening trays, gels, strips, and DIY remedies (like lemon juice or baking soda), which can damage veneers.
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Avoid Acids and Temperature Extremes Adhesive bonding can weaken with exposure to acids (e.g., citrus, sauces) and sudden temperature changes. Avoid pairing hot and cold items, like drinking cold juice with hot food.
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Visit the Dentist Regularly Schedule dental check-ups and professional cleanings every six months to maintain your veneers and overall oral health.
FAQ
- Veneers: Ideal for restoring incisors, canines, and premolars with minor defects. Veneers aren't suited for molars, as they can't withstand strong chewing forces.
- Crowns: Designed for severely damaged teeth, including molars, due to their full coverage and durability.
Sources of information
- Composite veneers: The direct-indirect technique revisited. Newton Fahl Jr, André V Ritter. J Esthet Restor Dent, 2021 Jan; 33(1): 7-19.
- Effectiveness of using veneers in restoration the front group of teeth. Aleshina N.F., Popova A.N., Piterskaya N.V., Kraynov S.V., Chaplieva E.M., Volgograd State Medical. University Scientific journal.
- Esthetic & conservative management of tooth size jaw size discrepancy. Authors: S. Bhattacharya, R. D Rekhade, V. Agarwal, A. Bhattacharyya. Annals of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry 10(3):240-244, August 2024.
- Porcelain veneers: a review of the literature. M. Peumans, B. Van Meerbeek, P. Lambrechts, G. Vanherle. Journal of Dentistry, Volume 28, Issue 3, March 2000, Pages 163-177.
- The effect of veneers on cosmetic improvement. S. Nalbandian & B. J. Millar. British Dental Journal volume 207, pageE3, 25 July 2009.
