Cosmetic
Bonding (Veneers)
From Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veneer_%28dentistry%29
In
dentistry, a veneer is a thin layer of restorative material placed over
a tooth surface, either to improve the aesthetics of a tooth, or to
protect a damaged tooth surface. There are two types of material used
in a veneer, composite and porcelain. A composite veneer may be directly
placed (built-up in the mouth), or indirectly fabricated by a dental
technician in a dental laboratory, and later bonded to the tooth, typically
using a resin cement such as Panavia. In contrast, a porcelain veneer
may only be indirectly fabricated.
The advantages of using a veneer to restore a tooth are many. Very good
aesthetics can be obtained, with minimal tooth preparation (i.e. drilling).
Normally a reduction of around 0.5 mm is required for a porcelain veneer
on a labial tooth surface. Composite veneers are becoming more popular
as they are easy to repair, and porcelain veneers have a tendency to
fracture. It can be very difficult to match the shade of an individual
veneer to the remaining teeth, hence the tendency to place several veneers.
Veneers may be used cosmetically to resurface teeth such as to make
them appear more straight and possess a more esthetically pleasing alignment.
This may be a quick way to improve the appearance of malposed teeth
without need to use orthodontics. However, the amount of malposition
of teeth may be such that veneers alone may not be enough to correct
the esthetic imbalance. Instead, orthodontics would need to be used,
or orthodontics combined with veneers. The dentist who places veneers
must be careful since veneers could increase the thickness of the front
face of the teeth. If the teeth are too thick on the face they may appear
to stand out and push out the lips. The effect may be enough to give
the patient a full or chipmunk appearance when the lips are closed.
Veneers must also be created such that the patient bites into them with
minimal force. Otherwise, they may chip off. So, patients whose lower
jaw protrudes out farther than their upper jaw, otherwise known as a
class III bite, may not be good candidates for veneers because the teeth
of the lower jaw may bite into the teeth of the upper jaw such as to
dislodge the veneers.
Veneers were invented in the 1930s by a dentist named Pincus. At the
time, they fell off in a very short time but were useful for temporarily
changing movie actors' teeth. Today, with improved cements and bonding
agents, they typically last 10-15 years. But patients who receive veneers
should understand that they may only last 10-15 years and then may have
to be replaced. This can be very expensive since porcelain veneers cost
around $1,000 each in 2006 prices. They are said to be somewhat more
durable and less likely to stain than veneers made of composite.
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