Dental Veneers

Dental Veneers in Mira Mesa

What is a dental veneer?

A dental veneer is a thin piece of porcelain that is used to change the shape, color, or size of a tooth or a group of teeth. Veneers are most often done on the front teeth of the upper and lower jaws, but can be used for premolars (the teeth behind the canines) if the patient has a wide smile and the color difference would show.

Ceramic Crowns vs. Veneers

While a veneer can technically be used as a restoration on a single tooth, it’s rare that we veneer a single tooth because getting the proper color match of a single veneer to your natural teeth is extremely difficult. In these cases, an all-ceramic crown may be a better option.

Veneers vs. Orthodontics

Patients who want to straighten their teeth or change the position of their teeth, often ask whether treatment with veneers can be used instead of orthodontic treatment. The answer is “it depends.” In dentistry we have a number of techniques and treatment modalities that we can use to achieve a goal — and each patient’s needs and goals are different.

For example, if someone has extensive crowding of their teeth along with severe rotations of their teeth, then orthodontic treatment may be the best choice. However, if a patient has a single front tooth that is too far forward or back, Invisalign might be a better option because you would need to prepare (drill) multiple teeth to get the same effect with veneers.

If a patient, however, has multiple discolored teeth with slight rotations or irregular heights, then treatment with veneers might be a good choice.

How long do veneers last?

Like any dental restoration, veneers don’t last forever. With proper home care and maintenance, veneers can last for over a decade if not longer.

Disadvantages of veneers

Veneers are made of a thin strip of porcelain, and like any other porcelain, veneers can fracture. If a veneer fractures we may be able to repair it, but more often than not a patient with a fractured veneer will need a new veneer. And while we can come close to the color match of the previous and/or other exiting veneers, no color match is as ideal as the original set of veneers or the original veneer. This is the reason why we often prefer to use ceramic crowns instead of veneers for single teeth.

Veneers Q & A

When are Veneers Considered?

Veneers are gaining in popularity for people who have visual and, sometimes, structural issues with their teeth. Dr. Cortes considers veneers when any of the following are present:

Smaller than normal teeth

Abnormally shaped teeth

Teeth that are chipped, cracked, or broken

Small-to-medium-sized gaps or spaces between teeth

Teeth that are discolored due to smoking, drinking, tobacco use, or the use of certain medications

Veneers are easily applied to the front and back sides of the teeth. That protects them from further damage and provides you with the appearance of natural-looking teeth.

How are Veneers Applied to Your Teeth?

For veneers to be properly applied to your teeth, Dr. Cortes must first use an abrasive material to remove the thin, delicate layer of enamel from the surface. That provides a rough surface that is easier for the bonding agent to adhere to.

Once Dr. Cortes prepares the surface, he applies the bonding agent, then he puts the veneer in place. As soon as the veneer is where it should be, he allows it to cure for several minutes. In some cases, he may use a blue light to activate the bonding agent and hasten the curing process.

Are Veneers Intended to be Permanent?

Once Dr. Cortes puts veneers in place, they’re permanent. After he removes a tooth’s enamel, it can’t be replaced, and it doesn’t grow back. This means the surface of the tooth must remain covered by some appliance, either another veneer, a cap, or a crown.

Before you opt to have veneers applied to your teeth, you should consult with Dr. Cortes to see what he recommends. Veneers are intended to be permanent. If one eventually breaks or is chipped, it’ll have to be replaced to prevent the tooth from being damaged in any way.