That depends on your personal situation and your budgetary constraints, but you should go for the best product and service you can afford, to try and guarantee a happy outcome.
Porcelain veneers – These are by far the most popular type of veneer, and products like Lumineers have revolutionised the market with their highly durable, long-lasting shells, which require very little remodeling of the natural teeth. Most traditional porcelain veneers are bulkier and dentists need to reshape the teeth so that the veneer can fit comfortably in place, this does render the process irreversible, but good quality veneers should last fifteen years or longer, without sustaining visible damage. Furthermore, it’s easier to make hard-wearing material like porcelain look more natural, as they can be given a translucent coating during the manufacturing process. This type of veneer will cost a bit more than the alternatives – especially if you choose the cerinate Lumineers over traditional ones – but they will last a long time and look exactly like the real and beautiful straight teeth.
Composite veneers – It takes a lot of skill and artistic flare to create a natural-looking smile using composite bonding material, but the process does have its benefits; it doesn’t cost as much, and the treatment usually only takes one appointment to be completed – depending on how much re-modelling is required. However, because they are not as durable as their porcelain counterparts, composite veneers tend to be the second choice for most patients, due to the fact that they are more prone to staining, and will only last five to ten years. Bonding material is normally best left for small chips and cracks, but there are some dental surgeons who can create a beautiful smile in half the time it takes for porcelains.
How are dental veneers fitted?
If you are having porcelain veneers, you will need to make at least two appointments; one for the re-shaping of your natural teeth, and the second to have the veneers cemented in place. Between the two appointments, your dentist will send a mould of your filed down teeth to the dental laboratory, so that the technicians can manufacture the laminates to a perfect fit. During this time, most dentists will fit you with a temporary veneer, as protection, but also to make your smile look nice – it’s a good way to test drive what your new teeth will look like too. You will be anaesthetised during the re-modelling process, but you will remain awake, so there’s no need to worry about painful procedures. It may be necessary to make a few adjustments in the first few days after you have your new teeth fitted, as the veneers can take some getting used to.
