Dental veneers are an increasingly popular treatment, as they allow you to achieve a dreamy, spectacular and long-lasting smile. And also quite simply. Do the perfect white smiles of Hollywood come to mind? Yes, they are achieved with veneers. But with them we also get 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 30s. At that time they were temporary, they did not last, so Hollywood actors and actresses only put them on when they needed to show off. a pretty smile. There was born the legendary hollywood smile. In the 80s, the methods of bonding between the tooth and the veneer were perfected, making them more permanent. In recent years it has gone from being a "star" treatment to being one of the most demanded in dental aesthetics, both by patients who want to achieve the 'Hollywood smile' and by those who want to improve their smile and at the same time make it look pretty and natural.
What are dental veneers?
Veneers are, very simply put, thin sheets of porcelain that are glued to the natural tooth, covering and imitating tooth enamel.
They can be porcelain or composite. At Ahoa we prefer to use Porcelain veneers, since they last longer, and are more resistant and aesthetic than composite ones. In fact, porcelain has strength and resistance comparable to natural tooth enamel. Despite this and depending on the case, composite veneers can also be a very good solution.
This means that, although the veneers are not as durable as a dental implant, in the case of porcelain usually last ten years or more, depending on how we take care of them. Composite ones are more susceptible to cracking, breaking, discoloring and losing their natural appearance.
Normal veneers are applied after the tooth enamel has been slightly reduced, but there is also the option of putting porcelain microveneers. With microveneers it is not necessary to reduce the tooth, since they are sheets between 0,3 and 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 should be controlled. They are an aesthetic treatment, but they do not resolve, and cannot be applied, on caries or when there are gingivitis or periodontitis problems, for example. Our dentist will do a prior review to assess the veneers.
For the rest, they are used for any case in which we want to modify the visual appearance of the teeth, such as:
- If the tooth is fractured or worn.
- To cover spaces between separated teeth, which is known as a diastema.
- To cover slight deformations or malpositions of the teeth.
- To enlarge small teeth, and that visually make too much gum look.
- To cover darkened, yellow or gray teeth, and make them look whiter.
In cases where the malposition of the teeth is very pronounced, veneers cannot be placed, we would have to opt for other treatments, such as a aesthetic orthodontics.
It is applied on the front teeth; In the molars and premolars, covers can be chosen, since due to their position it is a more resistant option. Each case must 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 is carried out (Digital Smile Design). After this study, the patient will be able to assess, through a photographic reproduction, how her new smile will look. On occasions, 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 totally 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. Plus, it's quick and painless.
Why has it become such a popular treatment?
A beautiful smile is very important in the day to day of any person. And not only because we feel physically more attractive, but because smile confidently and confidently It helps us improve our self-esteem.
Being able to smile, laugh, talk, and in general communicate without worrying about the appearance of our smile makes us win not only in aesthetics, but also in health and quality of life.