Are Dental Veneers Effective in Covering Cracked and Chipped Teeth?
Yes, dental veneers in Brampton, ON, are effective in repairing dental imperfections like cracks and chips. However, their effectiveness will depend on the type of veneers that you choose and how they are fixed.
What Are Veneers?
Teeth veneers are wafer-thin shells that are fixed on the enamel to change the size, shape, color, and appearance of the teeth. Our dentist in Brampton will recommend dental veneers if you have discolored, chipped, cracked, and worn-down teeth. As mentioned the effectiveness of the veneers and a cosmetic treatment will depend on the type and the process.
What Types of Veneers Are Available?
Dental veneers are available in two options; composite and porcelain veneers. Composite veneers are made of resin material and are crafted to fit your natural teeth’ color. These veneers are designed at the dental office on the same day of your appointment. The composite veneers are ideal for you if you have minor dental imperfections and you do not want to wait for the long process of getting veneers. However, these restorations are not as durable and can chip and crack.
Porcelain veneers are also tooth-colored, but unlike the composite ones, they are durable and can last for a decade or more. These veneers, however, require two dental visits to be fixed.
You can also get lumineers, which are also referred to as the no-prep veneers. These are ultra-thin and they are translucent. The traditional veneers require teeth preparation to have them fixed, but you can skip this step with the Lumineers.
How Are They Fixed?
Porcelain veneers are the commonly used type because they are durable and stain-resistant. However, you will need to visit the dental clinic at least two times to have them fixed.
The process of fixing the veneers is done in a few steps:
Planning and examination
The dentist will begin the process with assessment and planning of the treatment. He will examine the teeth and gums to check the damage and also take you through the different types of veneers.
The dentist will also check your eligibility for the veneers, as they are not recommended for everyone. People with extensive worn-out enamel and teeth decay, are not eligible for the veneers and the dentist may opt for other forms of treatment.
Teeth preparation
The enamel needs a little bit of reshaping to ensure the veneers bond to the teeth. If you choose traditional veneers—composite and porcelain, you will need local anesthesia because the reshaping process can cause tooth sensitivity. The Lumineers do not require local anesthesia because enamel trimming is not required. The dentist will remove a thin layer of the enamel and take a cast of the teeth to make the veneers. Temporary veneers are used to cover the teeth and protect them from sensitivity as you wait for the permanent ones.
Fixing the permanent veneers
The second dental visit is scheduled at least three and four weeks after the teeth are reshaped. The dentist will remove the temporary veneers, clean and condition the teeth before fixing the permanent ones. A special block of cement is used to fix the veneers in place and it is hardened with laser light.
How Long Do the Veneers Last?
Dental veneers can last for about 10 to 15 years with proper care, after which they will need to be replaced. The veneers can wear out with time or crack and that is why you need to have them assessed by the dentist often. If the veneers have tiny cracks they can trap food particles and this can affect the teeth underneath by increasing the risk of cavities.
It is vital to also maintain proper hygiene to keep the teeth healthy and prevent decay. Also, it is vital to limit your consumption of staining foods like coffee, tea, and wine. This will keep the veneers from discoloring because you cannot whiten them after they are fixed.
Schedule an Appointment
Veneers are an effective cosmetic treatment for minor and moderate chips and cracks. Visit Rosedale Dental Care for more information about dental veneers and how they are fixed.