Veneers

Patients who want to improve the appearance of their smiles may consider dental veneers or laminates. Although people often use the two terms interchangeably, they have some differences. Both procedures can help improve a patient’s smile. Knowing the difference between them can help you choose the best option for you.

From color to size and shape, dental veneers and laminates can provide a solution for people who want a better-looking smile. These procedures are available at Fort Lauderdale Dental Studio in Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding area. Call us at (954) 462-5252 to schedule a consultation and learn which option is the best for you.

Understanding Dental Laminates

Both dental laminates, like veneers, can improve the appearance of a patient’s smile. However, they have key differences that patients should consider. Laminates tend to be lighter and less durable than veneers. While dental laminates can improve the whiteness of teeth, they are not appropriate for dental repairs.

Laminates are much thinner than veneers and require less enamel removal. Placing laminates does not require much alteration to the tooth shape or enamel, which can be better for long term tooth health. However, they can be more expensive than veneers and bulky on the teeth when placed without any tooth alteration.

“Laminates are much thinner than veneers and require less enamel removal.”

Understanding Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are thin coatings of porcelain or composite resin covering the teeth to repair minor damage and improve the appearance of stains or discoloration. Some of the common issues that veneers can correct include gaps, misshapen teeth, cracks, chips, staining, and discoloration. Patients must have enamel removal and tooth reshaping to allow the veneer to stay flat without being bulky.

Patients can choose between porcelain veneers or composite resin veneers. Porcelain veneers usually last longer than composite resin ones. They resist staining and tend to be stronger and more durable. Composite resin veneers can be completed in a single dental visit, while porcelain veneers typically require two dental visits. Composite resin also preserves more of the patient's tooth enamel and tends to cost less than porcelain but is more prone to breakage.

“Dental veneers are thin coatings of porcelain or composite resin covering the teeth to repair minor damage and improve the appearance of stains or discoloration.”

Placing Dental Veneers

To place porcelain veneers, the cosmetic dentist must remove enamel from the tooth’s surface so the thin shell can adhere to it. A dental lab technician then creates custom veneers with teeth molds and color-matches them to the patient’s teeth. Then the shells are bonded to the patient's teeth using special dental cement.

For composite resin veneers, we remove the tooth enamel first. The composite resin, which matches the natural enamel, covers and reshapes the teeth to improve the appearance. After, a special light seals the resin to the underlying teeth. Finally, we file the veneers to achieve a natural appearance.

“To place porcelain veneers, the cosmetic dentist must remove enamel from the tooth surface so the thin shell can adhere to the tooth.”

Dental Veneer and Laminate Aftercare

The Canadian Dental Association explains that good dental hygiene is essential to maintain the appearance and function of new veneers. Brushing and flossing after meals and visiting the dentist for regular check-ups are critical aspects of proper maintenance. Skipping these steps can cause decay and cavities to develop between or under the veneer shells.

Veneers and laminates can also crack, break or loosen under pressure. Patients should avoid chewing hard candies, ice, or similar items. During the first few days after the procedure, patients should stick to soft foods and avoid consuming nuts, hard bread, popcorn, and seeds. Wearing a bite guard at night can help prevent grinding that may wear down veneers. Veneers are more prone to staining than laminates, so we also recommend patients avoid substances like tobacco, red wine, and coffee.

“Brushing and flossing after meals and visiting the dentist for regular check-ups are critical aspects of proper maintenance.”

Questions Answered on This Page

Q. How are laminate different from veneers?

Q. What are dental veneers?

Q. How are dental veneers placed?

Q. How does one care for dental veneers and laminates?

People Also Ask

Q. What are some cosmetic dentistry treatment options?

Q. How can cosmetic dentistry restore teeth?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Are dental laminates and veneers comfortable?

A. Dental laminates and veneers may feel strange at first. Most patients become accustomed to their laminates or veneers a few days after the procedure. Patients should let their cosmetic dentists know about any bite problems as adjustments may be needed.

Q. Should I choose porcelain or composite dental veneers?

A. Patients should make their decision based on their desired results and the current state of their teeth. We usually recommend porcelain for patients with crooked or misshapen teeth, gaps, and cracks. Composite veneers may be a better choice for patients with stained or minorly chipped teeth.

Q. How long do dental veneers last?

A. Most dental veneers last between seven to 15 years. Proper care is necessary to extend the life of veneers. Visiting the dentist regularly and following aftercare instructions can also help veneers last longer.

Q. Can I get dental veneers for my entire mouth?

A. Dental veneers are used only on the front teeth and are not appropriate for molars. The exact number of veneers depends on the state of the teeth and the patient's esthetic goals. Most people opt for an even number of veneers, commonly two, four, eight, 10, or 12.

Q. Will I experience pain when receiving dental veneers?

A. Local anesthetics numb the patient before removing tooth enamel and installing veneers. After the procedure, it is common to experience mild soreness affecting the jawbone and gums. Over-the-counter pain medication can reduce this discomfort.

Q. What should I do if my dental veneers fall off?

A. If damage occurs, the veneer may loosen and eventually come off. Patients should see their cosmetic dentists in these cases. Do not attempt to reattach the veneer at home with glue or any other substance. Avoid hot and cold foods and beverages since the exposed tooth may be sensitive because of the removed enamel.

Dental Terminology

Allograft
An allograft is a graft of tissue from a donor within the same species as the patient that is not a genetic relative.
Alveolar Ridge
The alveolar ridge is the bony ridge for one of the jaw ridges located on the roof of the mouth or on the bottom of the mouth.
Autograft
An autograft is a graft of tissue from one portion of an individual’s body to another.
Bleachorexia
Bleachorexia is when people continue to abuse teeth whitening solutions without consulting professionals, causing significant damage to their enamel and gums in the process.
Cap Splint
A cap splint is a plastic or metallic device that professionals may use to treat mandible or maxillary fractures and cover crowns of teeth.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is generally used to refer to any dental work that improves the appearance (though not necessarily the function) of a person’s teeth, gums and/or bite.
Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure that increases the extent of a tooth structure for restorative or esthetic purposes.
Dental Crown
A crown is an artificial tooth, usually consisting of porcelain, which covers the top of the implant to provide people with an aesthetically pleasing and fully-functional tooth.
Dentin Hypersensitivity
Dentin hypersensitivity is when the enamel wears down on the tooth enough that the dentin faces exposure and will cause great levels of pain when a person applies pressure to the tooth or drinks hot/cold beverages.
Dentist
A dentist, also known as a dental surgeon, is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity.

Choose the Right Procedure for Your Needs

Dental laminates and veneers are great options for smile enhancement. Patients should consider different factors like personal needs and costs before making a decision. Our team at Fort Lauderdale Dental Studio is here to answer your questions and help you choose the right procedure. Call us at (954) 462-5252 to schedule an appointment.

What are dental veneers?

Dental veneers are a thin layer of tooth-shaped porcelain that is placed over a tooth or multiple teeth. Veneers are recommended when there are defects on the patient's teeth surfaces. For example, in a case where a patient may have tetracycline stains, google that, tetracycline stains. Also, when a patient has a dental anatomy that they find unpleasant and the dentist is unable to change it through other means. Or sometimes a patient comes requesting that wide, perfect Hollywood smile makeover, then that can also be accomplished with dental veneers.

What is the difference between veneers and crowns?

The difference between veneers and crowns is that veneers only cover the lip and cheek facing surfaces of your teeth, whereas crowns cover every surface of the tooth, meaning all the sides and also the top, the chewing surface of the top.

What is the process for placing veneers?

The process for placing veneers is as follows:

1. The first step is having the patient come in for a diagnostic and data gathering appointment where the patient and dentist will discuss what are the goals of the patient, what are the expectations, what don't they like about their smiles, and where are we going.

2. Usually, we provide the patient with a booklet. That booklet has different smile designs that they can pick from and they can start figuring out what they want and what they like and what they don't like. Sometimes they like pointier canines, sometimes they don't like that, sometimes they like square teeth or maybe they like them rounder. So then we start discussing those things and come up with an idea of what the patient wants.

3. At that appointment, we will also take photographic records, we will take molds of the patient's teeth, and we will also have discussions about how white the patient may want to go. All those records are transferred to the lab technician.

4. The lab technician will then design the teeth. They provide a wax-up, we call it, of your teeth. A wax-up is like a model of your new teeth and you're able to see it holding your hands and kind of compare it to what you have and decide if that's something that you would like to have in your mouth.

5. After the patient approves the design, we set up an appointment to prepare the teeth. Preparing the teeth means the removal of small amounts of tooth enamel from the lip-facing surface of the teeth and also the incisal edge over the tooth. Usually, we remove between 0.6 and 1 millimeters. Then impressions are taken to fabricate your custom veneers.

6. Temporary veneers are worn until the custom veneers are ready, which is about two to three weeks.

7. The final appointment involves removing the temporaries and bonding the permanent veneers. To ensure patient comfort, dental anesthesia is used for both the prep appointment and also the veneer delivery.

Will veneers match my tooth color?

Usually, patients get veneers to get a whiter and more aesthetic-looking smile, but if your goal is to match the neighboring teeth, then that can also be done.

What is the difference between porcelain and composite veneers?

The difference between porcelain and composite lies in the material properties. Porcelain as a material is stronger, denser, more resistant to chipping and staining, and it keeps the luster and shine for longer. Composite is not as strong, it is more porous, and for that reason it scratches easily, chips easier, stains easier, and quickly loses that luster and shine for a more opaque, almost frosted look. That is the reason why many dentists don't like to do composite veneers, and that's also the reason why composite veneers are cheaper. It's an inferior material.

How should I care for my dental veneers?

To care for your dental veneers, you need to have very meticulous dental hygiene. Never miss a dental cleaning appointment and floss. You really have to floss. You need to be a lifelong flosser after you get veneers.

How much do veneers cost?

Veneers can cost anywhere between $16,000 to $20,000 per arch, so that's the amount of money either for your top or your bottom. There are countless financing options for these types of procedures. Most dental offices work with third-party financing companies, and many of them offer interest-free options. Dental insurance does not cover the cost of veneers, as veneers are considered elective aesthetic procedures. However, dental insurance can help lower the cost of your dental veneers, and that's a discussion you should have with your dentist’s financial team.

How can I schedule a dental veneer consultation?

You can schedule a dental veneer consultation by calling your dentist and setting up a dental veneer consultation appointment.

I hope I've been able to answer some of your questions on veneers. If you have any additional questions or if you're ready to book a consultation, please give us a call at (954) 462-5252. We are here to help.

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