What Are Veneers?
Veneers have been one of the most recent developments in the sphere of cosmetic dentistry today. It is a thin layer of restorative material placed over a tooth surface, in order to improve how the tooth will look or to act as protective material for damaged tooth. It has been a way of correcting dental imperfections that cannot be easily corrected through orthodontics. Cosmetic dentists use veneer for teeth that are fractured or discolored in order to create a kind of “Hollywoood Makeover” – as veneers are often used by actors to improve the way they look.
Basically, there are two main types of materials used to fabricate a veneer. These are composite and dental porcelain. A composite veneer may be placed over the teeth. Another way of doing this would be through a dental technician manufacturing the veneer teeth, and then afterwards be bonded to the teeth. When doing this, resin cement is often used.
In some instances, dentists use veneers in order to close the gaps between small teeth that cannot be easily done through braces. There are also times when some people may have worn away the edges of their teeth resulting in a premature aged appearance. While others, simply have mispositioned or crooked teeth.
Veneers were invented by Charles Pincus, a dentist based in California. During the beginnings of his invention of the veneers, they would usually fall off just after a very short period of time because dentists then used only denture adhesives to attach the veneers. Putting veneers on actors were common during this time.
Research took place in about 1982 in order to see what kind of adhesives can be used to keep veneers attached stronger. It was seen that porcelain could be fixed with hydrofluoric acid together with composite resin or gum, making the porcelain veneers to be bonded to the teeth permanently. There are readily improved bonding agents used today. Veneers nowadays last for about 10 to 30 years. During this time, veneers may have to be replaced due to cracking, leaking, chipping, discoloration, decay, and shrinkage of the gum line.
It is true that the use of veneers corrects teeth imperfections in a very fast and easy way, not to mention having results which are really good. However, there have also been dentists who say that the overuse of veneers is also harmful and problematic. The use of veneers can truly close the gaps between teeth, lengthen teeth shortened by wear, and put a uniform color to the teeth. However, the use of veneers for instant cosmetic purposes or instant orthodontic results may really be harmful especially to young people with healthy teeth. It must be remembered that instant is not always better, and at times, it is better that imperfect teeth be corrected in the healthiest way.