For years, people have complained of how ugly their smiles look. Whether it is crooked, misaligned, too protruded or a reverse bite and also if it is yellowish in color. But now and thanks to advancements of technology, we can help treat all these problems with one easy step: VENEERS.  

What are veneers?

Veneers are custom-designed shells of tooth-like material that are created to cover the front side of your tooth changing its appearance whether it’s the color or shape or size or length or all of them.  

What are veneers made of?

Most commonly, veneers are made of porcelain. They could also be made of resin composite materials.  

Do they look like real teeth?

Veneers are designed to mimic a tooth, in its color, the reflection of light, resistant to stain, desired shape; all in a wafer-thin, fake finger-like shell.  

Are veneers different than crowns?

Yes, veneers are just an aesthetic cover for an ugly tooth. But implants and crowns replace the entire tooth. Implants are rooted in the jawbones and crowns encase the entire tooth or the molar allowing them to function normally.  

Who benefits of dental veneers?

The main benefit of veneers is to improve your teeth’s appearance to give you a better, brighter, shinier smile. You may need one or more according to your condition and cosmetic request, it can help you overcome any of the following:

• Broken teeth.
• Chipped teeth.
• Severe teeth discoloration.
• Sharp teeth.
• Uneven teeth (larger or smaller than usual).
• Teeth gaps.
• Misaligned teeth.

 

How long do veneers last?

Veneers can last for 10 years and more if you take good care of them and chose a long-lasting type.  

How do you get a veneer?

Although veneers are an aesthetic elective procedure, you can’t have one without your doctor’s advice and consultation. Having veneers requires at least three trips to your expert dentist, one for examination and consultation, another for size and color fitting and the last one for installing the veneers.  

Do you need a veneer?

First of all, you have to complain about your teeth! Indeed, not all people having crooked or discolored teeth care about having veneers. In fact, most of them believe that these overlapping teeth are cute, or that as long as their teeth are healthy then it doesn’t matter if they are yellow or white! On the other hand, some of the patients complaining about their teeth can simply solve their problems by proper teeth cleaning, bleaching, and polishing. Others must endure the long journey of orthodontics as their problem is not only aesthetic but it is functional as well. So, adding veneers will help only if you believe that your smile requires attention and will give you the confidence you need.  

What are the exact steps to having a veneer?

During your first appointment, you will explain to your doctor your concerns. He/she will then examine your teeth thoroughly, detecting any underlying causes or diseases that need immediate attention.

• When you are cleared that you need veneers, your dentist will discuss all the pros and cons of veneers.
• After you consult with your dentist, you will be put on the path to having veneers.
• On the next visit, your doctor will start preparing the teeth by reshaping its surface, either by scaling it off, trimming the enamel after a proper anesthetic. You will have impressions made of your jaws and teeth along with X-rays, color match palette and any other examination your doctor may ask for.
• The impression of your jaw is then sent to a specialized lab to create your customized veneer to fit you and your teeth perfectly. This step may take from 1 to 3 weeks.
• On the day of the bonding, and before the veneer is permanently mounted on the teeth, the doctor will keep checking for the perfect fit for the veneer before adding the special glue that bonds the veneer to its teeth. He can even adjust its final color by altering the shade of the cement.
• Your teeth must be cleaned, polished and roughed up to be able to hold better to the veneer.
• After adding the veneer, a special light will be directed upon it to activate the bonding chemical of the cement, this allows it to harden really quickly.
• After removing any excess cement and evaluating the bite, your doctor will make any required adjustments to ensure the perfect fit.
• A follow up visit may be required to make sure your gums are accepting the presence of veneers properly.

 

What are the disadvantages of veneers?

There is nothing perfect in life, and although veneers give you the perfect smile it still has its drawbacks! These disadvantages include:

• The process is irreversible. They can only be broken off to be removed.
• They are very costly; one veneer may cost anything between 200-400$ and its equivalent.
• More sensitive teeth, now that the enamel is thinned, the tooth becomes extra sensitive to cold/hot drinks.
• Mismatched color: if your doctor is not very meticulous in choosing the veneers color shade, and if you continue to smoke after having the veneer, then you will end up with mismatched tooth colors.
• Fall off: this is a very rare complication, but if you chew on hard food, bite your pencil or nails, this will exert extra pressure on your fragile veneers and they may break off.
• If you have underlying teeth problems like decay, it must be treated before putting the veneer otherwise it will go into severe decay, and will need crowns or implants, not veneers.
• Teeth with veneers can still experience decay, possibly necessitating full coverage of the tooth with a crown.
• If you have any other teeth problems like gingivitis, it must be attended to first.
• If you grind your teeth too much then you are at risk of cracking or breaking off your veneer. So, it is better to use a nightguard to avoid its breakage.

 

Magrabi’s advice:

Veneers are an easy, aesthetically brilliant solution for crooked, yellowish teeth. A simple visit to your dentist can help you have the perfect smile. At Magrabi’s centers and hospitals, we honor ourselves in having one of the most prestigious units and labs designed specifically to give you the smile you always wished for!