Veneer Teeth
Veneer teeth are teeth that have been covered by a layer of composite resins or porcelain or ceramic. It is a painless procedure to improve how the tooth would look like. Veneer teeth are ideal to cover teeth discolorations such as discolorations caused by smoking or uneven old dental filling color.
Veneer teeth are not limited to changing the color of the teeth. It can also be used to correct the visible damage in the teeth like damage from an injury. People with gaps in-between their teeth, worn tooth and chipped tooth should consider veneer. If the procedure is done by an expert it can last for years.
The first step in having a veneer procedure is to consult and plan with the dentist. It is important that the dentist assess first the extent of damage in the teeth that needs to be corrected. Planning is also necessary for the patient to relay to his/her dentist the outcome wanted. In turn, the dentist should also explain to the patient the veneer limitations of veneer teeth procedure.
Since the veneer tooth procedure involves adding a new layer of material to the teeth, the teeth is buffed first. Up to half a millimeter is removed so that a new layer may be added –but this depends on the procedure. People with low pain tolerance may ask for a local anaesthesia during this part.
After preparing the tooth, the dentist will apply the composite material in the tooth and sculpt it into the right shape. Ceramic veneers are not done with a single appointment, after the tooth preparation a mold is taken first then the mold is sent to a fabricator of veneer teeth and this could take a couple of days. If the patient is concerned about how the tooth would look while waiting for fabrication, he/she could ask the dentist to put a temporary veneer in the affected tooth.
After fabrication of the ceramic veneers, the dentist must check first if it fits on the teeth and also check if its color matches with the teeth. Dentists can still adjust the color of the veneer tooth by using the proper shade of cement to be used. Before cementing the veneer, the tooth is cleaned again and a special cementing material is applied between the tooth and the veneer. Then a beam of light is applied to harden the cement.
After pacing of veneer teeth it is common to feel a little discomfort since the patient is undergoing a period of adjustment and this period may last up to a couple of weeks. It is recommended that the patient brush and floss the teeth every day. It is also a common practice that the dentist asks the patient for a follow-up appointment after a week or so.
The traditional porcelain veneer cost ranges from $500 to $1,100 per tooth while branded veneers may cost up to $1,300 each. Temporary veneers also comes with an additional cost but prices vary very much so it is better to ask the dentist first how much do they charge. Additional costs may include initial consultation which ranges from $65 – $100 and if x-rays are needed it would cost around $15 – $135.