A number of cosmetic dental procedures have become available today. Dental veneers are one such option. These are used to correct a number of dental flaws such as chipped or broken teeth, discolorations and minor misalignments. Dental veneers are a little costly but they are highly effective and advantageous. Once installed, they last for a long time if proper care is taken and so are worth the investment. Dental veneers are performed by cosmetic specialists.
Dental veneers are made from porcelain. Porcelain and enamel are very similar in chemical and physical properties. Enamel is slightly translucent and so allows light to pass through. This light gets reflected by the dentin layer underlying the enamel layer. This is what gives natural teeth a unique luster. Similar to enamel, porcelain is also slightly translucent. For this reason dental veneers made from porcelain have a natural appearance. If installed properly, it can be very difficult to distinguish them from normal teeth.
The procedure to install dental veneers is very simple. However, the services of a professional cosmetic surgeon will be required because the effectiveness of the procedure will depend solely on the skills and abilities of the surgeon. In the first step, the teeth over which the veneers are to be placed are ground down. A thin section of enamel is removed from them. In the second step, temporary veneers are placed over the teeth and bonded. They are allowed to stay for some time. In the meantime, permanent veneers are designed in a dental laboratory in such a way that they resemble the surrounding teeth precisely. Later on, temporary veneers are removed and permanent veneers are bonded in place.
Dental veneers can cost up to $2000 per tooth. Cheaper dental veneers start at $750 per tooth. Depending on the quality of the material, the costs will vary. High-end dental veneers are handmade. On the other hand, cheaper veneers are made by using a machine. A better alternative to conventional porcelain veneers is lumineers. Lumineers are comparatively cheaper, easy to install and more advantageous when compared to porcelain veneers.
If you’re thinking of getting dental veneers, you should contact your dentist and evaluate all the options that may be available to you. It is better to opt for lumineers when compared to porcelain veneers. Ask your dentist for more information and decide which will be a better option in your case.