If you’re looking to get dental veneers in Washington Court House, OH, you may have quite a few questions about your options. What types of veneers are available? Are porcelain veneers a better choice than composite veneers? And how do advanced options like zirconia and “no-prep” veneers come into the equation?
We know that cosmetic dentistry can be complicated. That’s why the team at Washington Court House Dental has put together this guide to the most common types of dental veneers. From composite to zirconia, porcelain, no-prep veneers, and even snap-on smiles, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about your options for smile enhancement. Let’s dig into the details!
Veneers are very thin, tooth-shaped pieces of ceramic material or composite resin that are designed to fit over the front surfaces of your teeth. By doing so, veneers can treat and cover up a wide variety of aesthetic concerns, including:
Veneers typically require at least two visits to Washington Court House Dental. At your first visit, your teeth will be trimmed and then scanned to create your final veneer designs. These designs will be sent to an outside dental lab, where your new smile will be made by an experienced technician.
Then, you’ll return to our office once your final set of veneers arrives. Your dentist will check them to make sure they fit, then attach them to your teeth permanently with powerful dental cement, completing the treatment process.
Not sure what the best veneers are for you? Now that you know a little bit more about the basics of how veneers work, let’s discuss some of the most common veneer types that are offered by modern dental offices.
Porcelain veneers are made from a durable, tooth-like ceramic material. Not only are they durable, but porcelain is very similar to natural enamel in overall appearance and translucency. This means that porcelain veneers deliver very lifelike, realistic results.
Porcelain veneers also have a long lifespan, typically lasting between 10-15 years with proper care. They're stain-resistant, too, so you can drink coffee, tea, wine, and other beverages without worrying about tarnishing your brand-new smile.
Their main drawback is that they are expensive, and porcelain veneers also require your natural enamel to be trimmed. This is done to make sure they don’t alter your bite or add too much bulk to your teeth, but also means that the procedure is irreversible.
Zirconia veneers are a newer type of ceramic veneer. They are made from zirconium dioxide, which is extremely strong and is similar to porcelain in the way that it reflects light, making it very realistic.
Zirconia has an even longer lifespan than porcelain, with patients able to keep their veneers for up to 20 years in some cases. It also holds up very well to strong chewing and biting forces, which makes it ideal for patients who may sometimes clench or grind their teeth.
However, zirconia tends to be a little bit more expensive than porcelain, and this type of veneer is not offered by as many dentists. It also requires the removal of more enamel, since zirconia veneers must be a bit thicker than other types.
Sometimes called “no-prep” veneers, minimal prep veneers are a special type of porcelain veneer that requires little enamel removal before placement, or sometimes no enamel removal at all. Lumineers are the most well-known brand of minimal prep veneers.
So, how are veneers done without trimming the teeth? Minimal prep veneers are very strong yet only about 0.2mm thick, which is much thinner than traditional ceramic veneers. In many cases, they can be placed right over the top of your existing teeth with no need to trim them.
However, minimal prep veneers are not as strong or durable as thicker porcelain and zirconia veneers, so they're not a great choice if you clench or grind your teeth. They also tend to be the most expensive, since they use costly proprietary materials.
There are two types of composite veneers available at most dental offices, known as “indirect composite veneers” and “direct composite veneers.” Here’s a closer look at each one.
Snap-on veneers are made from plastic and are designed to snap over your existing teeth to provide a temporary smile restoration for special occasions. While they are budget-friendly and require no modifications to your teeth, even the best snap-on veneers do not look realistic due to the inexpensive materials they're made of.
Snap-on veneers can also be uncomfortable to wear for prolonged periods of time, and it may be difficult to chew and eat while wearing them. For these reasons, we typically recommend that patients avoid snap-on veneers and look into more permanent methods of smile enhancement, such as ceramic veneers, dental bonding, and teeth whitening.
Should I get veneers? And if I should, what’s the best type of veneer for me? These are great questions. Every patient is different, but here are a few factors that you may want to keep in mind as you choose the right type of veneer for your specific needs:
If you still need more guidance, Dr. Michael Pappas and our team of dentists at Washington Court House Dental are here to help. During your consultation, you and your dentist can discuss all of your options for transforming your teeth and help you choose the right type of veneer based on your aesthetic concerns, budget, schedule, and personal preferences.
If you’re interested in veneers and are in the Washington Court House, OH area, Dr. Michael Pappas and our team are ready to help you learn more about all of your options. And along with veneers, we also offer additional cosmetic treatments like teeth whitening, dental bonding, tooth-colored crowns and fillings, and much more.
Whether you need to address minor issues like teeth stains and gaps in your smile or you have more significant aesthetic and oral health concerns, our team will help you transform your teeth and restore your self-confidence. So don’t wait. Call now at (740) 333-7290 or book your visit online and schedule your first cosmetic consultation today.
Call 740-333-7290 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. We’ll be in touch soon.
