Porcelain Veneers in Glyfada
Porcelain veneers are thin "peels" of reinforced dental porcelain which are glued to the outer surface of the teeth by the bonding method.
This bonding requires minimal or no grinding of the teeth, which has made them stand out compared to other methods such as the tooth case because they are not very invasive. Porcelain veneers belong to the field of aesthetic dentistry. It is important to note that they resist pigments better than resin veneers and mimic the light-reflecting properties of natural teeth.
The material used to make them is porcelain, a much more durable material than resin used to make resin veneers and white sealants. Porcelain and effectively porcelain veneers do not lose their color over time or from eating habits while at the same time they have a very high resistance to breakage compared to resin veneers.
When do we use them?
- When a patient has sparse teeth (has sparse teeth). Porcelain veneers can correct the position of the front teeth and thus upgrade the aesthetics of your teeth and avoid orthodontic treatment.
- Όταν θέλουμε να επαναφέρουμε το σχήμα των δοντιών σας τα οποία έχουν φθαρεί ή είναι σπασμένα. Οι όψεις πορσελάνης μπορούν να βοηθήσουν διότι μπορούν να καλύψουν αυτά τα δόντια και να αποκαταστήσουν την αισθητική.
- When you have bad looking or old dental fillings and we want to cover them.
- When we want to move the teeth to the right position
- Finally, we can use porcelain veneers in combination with whitening techniques to achieve teeth whitening.
What is the procedure?
This first step involves your active participation. Explain to your dentist the result you are trying to achieve. During this appointment, your dentist will examine your teeth to make sure the porcelain veneers are right for you and discuss what the procedure will entail and some of its limitations. He may also take x-rays and possibly make first impressions of your mouth and teeth.
Preparation Stage
To prepare a tooth for a porcelain face your dentist will remove the tooth surface, which is an amount almost equal to the thickness of the face to be added to the tooth surface.
Before removing the enamel, you and your dentist will decide the need for a local anesthetic to numb the area.
Afterwards the dentist will capture your tooth "impressions" and they will send them to the laboratory for construction.
This will take up to 2 weeks.
Placement Stage
Before the porcelain is permanently placed on your tooth, your dentist will temporarily place it to examine its application and color.
To prepare your teeth, your doctor will have to clean them and polish them - to allow for a strong bonding process.
A special "paste" is applied to veneer and then it is placed on your tooth. Once properly placed, your dentist will apply a special beam of light which will activate the chemicals causing it to harden very quickly.
The final steps include removing any excess materials and the final adjustment of the look.
What are the advantages?
- Porcelain veneers are placed on the surface of the tooth and not on the entire tooth like a crown.
- They are completely biocompatible (non-toxic)
- Porcelain increases the hardness and durability of your teeth
- Excellent aesthetic and visual result
- They can be placed in cases where other veneers cannot
- They are bonded with the bonding technique and thus do not affect the tooth at the structural level
What are the disadvantages?
- It is more expensive because there are intermediate costs such as laboratory costs.
- Bonding is time consuming because it requires complete control of environmental humidity.
- The use of a microscope is required to maintain as much of the tooth surface as possible during grinding.
- Before using them, the patient's gums and teeth are required to be evaluated, as well as other necessary cosmetic treatments in order to have the right result.
Do they hurt?
The process does not hurt at all since local anesthesia is done. At the same time, the removal of the tooth surface is very conservative.
Can they be placed without any grinding?
Porcelain veneers require the use of a special wheel for their placement but can be omitted under certain conditions such as when the tooth is not discolored or does not protrude . In case the above does not apply, the dentist will need more space and tooth thickness to do the welding.
What is better, tooth whitening or veneers?
Whether you will do teeth whitening with laser - toothpicks or you will put porcelain veneers depends directly on the condition of your teeth. For example, if your teeth are discolored and have a gray color, then teeth whitening alone can not help you and porcelain veneers should be used.
To find out which of the two you can do, a diagnostic test should be done at our dental clinic in Glyfada.
Can i have them if i have crooked teeth?
Yes, you can generally put porcelain veneers on crooked teeth, but that depends on how crooked your teeth are and what you want to achieve. This question can be answered by the dentist if a diagnostic test is performed.
How long do they last?
Porcelain veneers generally last between 7 and 15 years. After that, they will need to be replaced.
Do they need Special treatment or care?
Porcelain veneers do not require special care. Continue to follow good oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing, mouthwash, and rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash as usual.
Although porcelain veneers are resistant to pigments, your dentist may recommend that you should avoid staining foods and beverages (for example coffee, tea or red wine).
Are there any alternative solutions?
Yes, the alternatives to the veneers are the dental crowns. The veneers offer a nice intermediate choice. They can be better suited for people who want to change the shape of their teeth.
