Dental veneers: the secret to a perfect smile

Dental veneers are an increasingly popular treatment, as they allow you to achieve a dreamy, spectacular and long-lasting smile, and they are quite simple. Do Hollywood’s perfect white smiles come to mind? Well, yes, they are achieved with veneers. But with them we also achieve more natural smiles, which are in harmony with the facial features of the person. Because, for us, a natural smile is a perfect smile.

Veneers, although they have become popular in recent years, have been used in the Hollywood industry since the 1930’s. At that time they were temporary, they did not last, so Hollywood actors and actresses wore them only when they needed to show off a beautiful smile. The legendary Hollywood smile was born. In the 1980s, the methods of bonding teeth and veneers were perfected, making them more permanent. In recent years it has gone from being a “star” treatment to one of the most demanded treatments in dental esthetics, both by patients who want to achieve the “Hollywood smile” and by those who want to improve their smile and make it both beautiful and natural.

What are dental veneers?

Veneers are, very simply put, thin sheets of porcelain that are bonded to the natural tooth, covering and imitating the tooth enamel.

They can be porcelain or composite. At Ahoa we prefer to use porcelain veneers, as they last longer and are more resistant and esthetic than composite veneers. In fact, porcelain has a strength and resistance comparable to that of natural tooth enamel. However, depending on the case, composite veneers can also be a very good solution.

This means that, although veneers are not as durable as dental implants, in the case of porcelain veneers they usually last ten years or more, depending on how they are cared for. Composite veneers are more susceptible to cracking, breaking, discoloration and loss of natural appearance.

Normal veneers are applied after the tooth enamel has been slightly reduced, but there is also the option of applying porcelain micro veneers. With micro veneers it is not necessary to reduce the tooth, as they are 0.3 to 0.5 mm thick. This alternative is usually recommended only when there are simple volume alterations.

Can anyone get veneers?

The first thing to keep in mind is that possible health issues must be controlled. They are an esthetic treatment, but they do not solve, and cannot be applied on caries or when there are problems of gingivitis or periodontitis, for example. Our dentist will do a previous check-up to evaluate the veneers.

Otherwise, they are used for any case in which we want to modify the visual appearance of the teeth, for example:

• If the tooth is fractured or worn.
• To cover spaces between separated teeth, known as diastema.
• To cover slight deformities or malpositions of the teeth.
• To enlarge small teeth that visually show too much gum.
• To cover dark, yellow or gray teeth and make them look whiter.

In cases where the malposition of the teeth is very pronounced, veneers cannot be applied and we would have to opt for other treatments, such as aesthetic orthodontics.

It is applied in the front teeth; in the molars and premolars it is possible to opt for caps, as it is a more resistant option due to its position. Each case should be studied carefully.

How is the treatment performed?

It is very simple. It depends on each case, but in general a first session is carried out, in which the state of health of the patient’s mouth is assessed and a digital study of the smile(Digital Smile Design) is performed. After this study, the patient will be able to evaluate by means of a photographic reproduction how his or her new smile will look like. Sometimes, and if the case allows it, we can make a mock-up, that is, a test directly in the mouth of how it would look, before touching any tooth and in a completely reversible way.

In one or two subsequent sessions, the veneers are applied with the designed color and shape, so the results are immediate and spectacular. In addition, it is quick and painless.

Why has it become such a popular treatment?

A beautiful smile is very important in the daily life of any person. And not only because we feel physically more attractive, but also because smiling with security and confidence helps us to improve our self-esteem.

Being able to smile, laugh, talk, and in general communicate without worrying about the appearance of our smile not only improves our esthetics, but also our health and quality of life.