Dental veneers, otherwise known as teeth veneers, are essentially the equivalent of false nails for your teeth. They are a wafer thin shell or laminate that is cemented to the surface of your teeth to improve their appearance in terms of colour, shape or alignment. Dental veneers are classed as cosmetic dentistry as they are generally provided because of demand, rather than out of any medical need. This article on dental / teeth veneers is by Kathryn Senior, a freelance journalist who writes health, medical, biological, and pharmaceutical articles for national and international journals, newsletters and web sites.
Dental veneers can cover up a wide range of oral problems quickly and easily, where other treatments have failed or would take much longer. These include:
There are several different types, each with advantages and disadvantages.
As with most cosmetic treatments, the price of dental veneers varies widely depending on the experience and reputation of the clinic, the complexity of the procedure and the local marketplace. You can pay anything from £500 per tooth to several thousand pounds. In general, you get what you pay for. At the cheaper end of the market, whilst the cost of veneers may be low, you risk getting veneers that are a poor fit. You can also face cost-cutting measures such as low quality temporary dental veneers (or worse still, no temporary veneers at all) while your own are being manufactured.
Many overseas teeth veneers treatment options are available online, from all-inclusive week long stays in Budapest, to dental treatment at the beachside in Phuket. While the cost of veneers treatment abroad may seem cheaper, bear in mind that if you have any problems afterwards, it is a long way to go back to have them put right.
Dental veneers are not high technology. They are simply a new surface layer that is cemented to the surface of your teeth. To make room for this, the top layer of your tooth will need to be ground away using a dental drill or file to the same thickness as the dental veneer. If your teeth veneers are to correct protruding or misaligned teeth, then more of the tooth may need to be removed to create a straight alignment.
A mould is then taken and you will be fitted with temporary dental veneers while your bespoke set is manufactured. Before fitting, the surface of the tooth is acid treated to create a rough surface to help the cement to attach firmly.
You will need to care for dental veneers in the same way as you would natural teeth, including regular checkups at your dentist. The time varies depending on what material they were made from, but your veneers will need replacing at some point.
Dental veneers offer a simple solution to a wide range of dental problems, leaving you with an even, white, well-aligned smile and, as such, they are rising in popularity all the time. If they are fitted by an experienced, competent dentist, using quality materials and equipment, then there should be few or no problems with the procedure.
However, it is worth considering the nature of the procedure of fitting dental veneers. Since the natural surface of your teeth is filed away and acid treated, you will be committed to wearing veneers for the rest of your life, and to replacing them on a regular basis. You should carefully consider not only the initial cost, but also the ongoing cost of replacing your dental veneers in the future.
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