Thanks to cosmetic dentistry, you don’t have to live with an imperfect smile forever. And, the good thing is that with the advancements in cosmetic dentistry, you can get that perfect smile in a day, in a less invasive way, and enjoy the results for years with manageable maintenance.
One of the most common, fast, less invasive, and cost friendly way to restore your smile is through composite veneers. They are also known as same day veneers, because you can get everything done in a day, in fact, a few hours.
Composite veneers help cover up various aesthetic problems, such as discolorations especially internally stained teeth since they won’t respond to the usual teeth whitening treatments, chips, overlaps, cracks, slight gaps, etc.
You will also hear people say that composite veneers are more conservative compared to porcelain veneers, and this is because they are not made in the lab. Your dentist will hand-make them in your mouth, and this is why the procedure is shorter and quicker. However, the final result, how beautiful they will look, will totally depend on how good your dentist is at making them. But, the good thing with composite veneers is that the whole procedure is reversible because, in the application process, the dentist won’t interfere with your teeth structure.
Direct Veneers Procedure / Composite Veneers Procedure
Composite veneers are made from composite resin, and they are applied directly on the surface of your teeth or tooth if you just want to correct one tooth.
The first step is always to prepare the teeth for the application, and the preparation starts by cleaning the teeth thoroughly. This is to ensure that nothing is covered up under the new layer.
The second step is etching the teeth/tooth surface, basically roughening up the surface with an etching liquid so as to create a much stronger bond between the tooth and the composite resin.
The dentist will then proceed to apply the composite resin on your tooth surface, harden it, then shape and polish it to achieve that natural finish.
Composite Veneers Maintenance
#1
First, just like your teeth, the direct composite resin can also stain from foods and any other substance that would stain your natural teeth. As such, to maintain them as they are after application, you need to avoid or reduce intake of things like red wine, coffee, tobacco, etc.
#2
Second, use an ultra-soft toothbrush and brush twice a day. Also, make sure to floss once a day, especially before bedtime.
#3
Third, avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol. This is because over time, the alcohol in such a mouthwash might soften the bonded composite resin.
#4
Fourth, avoid acidulated phosphate fluoride and stannous fluoride. Instead, go for sodium fluoride
#5
Fifth, remember that the composite veneers are strong, but not as your natural teeth. As such, avoid using them to do anything that might put too much stress on them such as eating carrots, apples, chewing ice, opening packages, biting your nails, etc.
#6
Finally, always check for fractures or chipping then visit your dentist as soon as you notice anything odd for repairs to prevent total damage.
How Long Do Composite Veneers Last? / Composite Veneers Durability
Your composite veneers will last anywhere between 5 years and 7 years. This is because, just like anything else, how you care and maintain them will have a great impact on how long they will last.
Again, you must start by getting them applied by a qualified cosmetic dentist, and they should be applied perfectly from the get-go.
Also, because you might not always visit the same cosmetic dentist, make sure to keep any important information, such as the type of composite resin used and also the color so as to make things easier when you visit a different dentist.
Final Words
Are composite veneers safe? This is one of the most asked questions by people who are considering using composite veneers to enhance or restore their smiles. And, the answer is YES!
The other common question is, the difference between composite veneers and porcelain veneers or indirect veneers vs. direct veneers.
The first difference is in materials as you can tell from the names. Second, porcelain veneers are fabricated in the lab and the whole process of making and applying them will take a few days, unlike the composite veneers that take just a day.
Again, getting porcelain veneers is more costly, but the good thing is that they last longer, 10-15 years. However, unlike composite veneers whose application procedure is reversible since the whole process is noninvasive, once you decide to get porcelain veneers there is no going back because the process is invasive.
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