What Are the Different Types of Dental Veneers?

If your teeth are crooked, cracked, chipped, discolored, misshapen, or you have minor alignment issues, dental veneers may be the right option for you. These thin shells fit over the front surface of the teeth to cover up imperfections and give your grin a gorgeous glow. Though porcelain veneers may be the first thing to come to mind when you think of this treatment, are there any other options? Read on to learn about the materials that dental veneers can be made from.

Porcelain Veneers

There are two main types of veneers. Porcelain veneers are the more popular option since they closely resemble real tooth enamel. They reflect light the same way as natural tooth enamel and are also durable and resistant to stains. Porcelain veneers also last around 20 years with minimal upkeep outside of brushing, flossing, avoiding stain-causing foods and beverages, and regular dental visits. This allows you to achieve a beautiful, realistic look that will last.

Composite Resin

Composite resin is another type of material that veneers can be made from. This procedure is sometimes referred to as direct or cosmetic bonding. The material used is made from dental plastic that’s mixed with ceramic. This treatment usually only takes one visit to complete and is more cost-effective than porcelain veneers.

However, you can only expect your results to last about half as long as porcelain veneers do. Additionally, though your dentist will shade the composite resin to match your enamel, the sheen will look slightly less realistic than that of porcelain veneers. Composite resin is also much less durable.

How Does Veneer Treatment Work?

With porcelain veneers, the process will begin with removing a small amount of tooth enamel. Your dentist will then take impressions of your teeth and send them to a dental lab so they can make your veneers. You’ll be fitted with temporary veneers to protect your teeth in the meantime. Once your dentist gets your permanent veneers back from the lab, they will have you come back into the office to attach them.

For composite resin, the putty-like material can be molded to change the look of your teeth. Once applied, your dentist will use a special curing light to harden it. Your dentist will then complete the treatment by polishing the composite material to make it shine just like real tooth enamel.

Both composite resin and porcelain are great ways to improve the look of your smile. Speak with your dentist so they can help you figure out which treatment is the best one to give you the healthy, beautiful beam of your dreams!

About the Practice

Dr. Christopher Duong, Dr. John Kuan, and Dr. Khoa Pham are the skilled Texas dentists who lead the Fort Worth team at Renaissance Dental. They offer a variety of treatments to keep your smile healthy and bright. If you are looking to improve the look of your smile, they can also teach you about treatments like dental veneers. If you are ready to make an appointment or want more information, call Renaissance Dental’s office at (817) 289-5200 or visit their website.