Dental veneers are custom-made teeth colored porcelain pieces that are permanently bonded to the surface enamel of your tooth. They are otherwise also known as porcelain veneers. They are able to replicate the natural coloring, alignment and shape of your natural teeth, making your teeth look pristine and attractive.
Dental veneers can be used in multiple ways. You can get dental veneers for a single tooth or multiple teeth. There are two main categories of dental veneers - partial dental veneers and full dental veneers. Partial dental veneers cover only part of the tooth while full dental veneers cover the entire front of the tooth. Whether or not someone gets partial dental veneers or full dental veneers is completely dependent on the individual’s oral health situation and is up to the patient and the dentist to decide on what is best.
Dental veneers are a common part of the smile makeover process in aesthetic dentistry.
Porcelain veneers have multiple uses, both cosmetic and functional reasons. Some of the benefits of porcelain veneers include:
In Singapore, dental porcelain veneers are often used as a more accessible option when compared to crowns or implants. They can be used to achieve minor cosmetic tweaks such as closing small gaps in your teeth, correct small misalignments or cover chipped or cracked teeth. They are used mainly to enhance the brightness and straightness of one’s smile.
Porcelain veneers also have the added benefit of not being stained from substances that might usually stain teeth such as coffee, cigarettes and dark wines.
Porcelain veneers can be a great cosmetic dental candidate for many patients in Singapore. However, ideal candidates will generally have to have good oral health as well as having healthy gums without any ongoing periodontal disease or lack of enamel. Having relatively aligned teeth is also important as your teeth being grossly misaligned might put unnecessary pressure on the veneers and cause potential cracking.
It is also best that patients do not currently suffer from bruxism, teeth clenching or teeth grinding at night. These actions may eventually cause damage to the veneer which will accumulate over time. Patients who suffer from bruxism or tend to grind their teeth at night are advised to get a night guard from their dentist.
Consult with your dentist and be honest about your oral health history to determine whether or not you will be a good candidate for dental veneers in Singapore.
The most common material used for veneers is porcelain. Porcelain veneers are thin dental laminates of porcelain shells that are placed on top of your existing teeth so as to create a desirable appearance.
Porcelain veneers are usually custom made and are tailored to each and every patient’s unique oral makeup. Factors like the patient's face shape, lips and natural teeth colour and kept into consideration. When done properly, porcelain veneers are almost indistinguishable from a normal tooth.
Porcelain veneers are:
Composite veneers uses a thin layer of resin that’s made in a tooth like, enamel like colour to the teeth in order to reshape and to correct certain elements of your smile. Composite veneers can be sculpted and hardened and polished by the dentist to close up gaps in your teeth and improve your appearance.
Composite veneers are:
Ultimately, the type of veneers you go for should depend on your personal preferences and your lifestyle habits and oral makeup.
It takes around one to three visits to get veneers fully attached to your teeth. This can vary greatly from individual to individual and depends on the complexity of your particular case and the choice of material for the veneers.
Your dentist will investigate and explain to you the pros and cons of getting veneers and clearly present to you the various options involved. You will have impressions & photographs of your teeth taken as part of the treatment plan. The design of the veneers are presented to you for your approval before they are installed.
Usually, the veneers will take around 7-10 days to manufacture. If you require any alternations to the designs, you should notify your dentist within 2-3 days.
Veneers are built to be durable and relatively stain-proof, however, there is still some maintenance involved after they have been successfully attached to your teeth. Remember to brush and floss regularly to keep your veneers in pristine condition. Apart from that, you should:
Of all the veneers, porcelain veneers are known for their longevity. On average, porcelain veneers can last for at least 10 years. Composite veneers can last for at least 5 years.
Crowns cover the entire tooth, whereas porcelain veneers are bonded to the surface of the tooth. Porcelain veneers are not as invasive as crowns and leave more of your original tooth intact. In order for porcelain veneers to work properly, your tooth must have sufficient enamel in order for the veneer to bond on it. If your tooth has a large filling, is very cracked or worn, porcelain veneers might not be the best option.