The color of our teeth is supposedly white – or anything close to its shade. So if it happens to sport a color other than white, there definitely is something wrong. Having this problem? Try applying a solution with teeth veneers.
Teeth veneers or laminates are strips of material that is cemented onto the outermost surface of a discolored tooth. Color comes in a variety of shades that could perfectly match a patient’s enamel. They are akin to your basic nail polish – covering up something to improve appearance.
A bad case of discoloration back in the day would result into undergoing procedures for crowns or bridges. However, this is rather invasive because it entails a considerable amount of tooth sacrifice. Teeth are drilled to become smaller to finally accommodate a newly fabricated crown.
With teeth veneers, the massive enamel reduction is eliminated. This is so because they only occupy the front surface of a tooth. Therefore, reduction is only geared towards this particular area and does not necessitate heavy drilling. Only the front surface is drilled out and the extent is very superficial compared to a crown preparation.
This could be good for root canal treated teeth or chronic discoloration brought about by external factors such as medications, smoking and drinking colored beverages. Others are baffled as to how sodas and coffee can cause discoloration because they believe that it is not potent enough to cause such a condition. They will only think otherwise once they come across with someone who attests to the result or, worse, if their own mirror images show a palette of varying whites that could be bordering on yellow or even brown.
Teeth veneers are good alternatives for whitening. There are those who remain wary about the results of chemically induced whitening procedures. It’s either they are aware of the acidic nature of the products used, which can cause harm to the dentition in the long run; or they haven’t seen substantial evidence of its effect as of yet.
On the other hand, one also has to take note of the procedure involved with teeth veneers. As stated above, there would still be drilling and the enamel surface of the outer portion of a tooth is purposely abraded. Ridges are deliberately created, serving as an added means of retention to further enhance its durability and, eventually, longevity. Cement alone could not give paramount assurance that it will never be dislodged, which is why the ridges are necessary. The result: Increased sensitivity to hot or cold after a procedure that could go on for days. But this shall only be temporary.
However, for instance, a patient settled for a veneer because he does not want too much tooth reduction. Nevertheless, the veneer falls off and fails. Repeatedly. Recementation has been unsuccessful and it annoys the patient. He then finally decides not to have it ever again. What could possibly happen? Bear in mind that the supporting tooth surface has been abraded. Thus, settling for another alternative might necessitate the more invasive choice such as a crown. To avoid this situation, it is best to know the contraindications for teeth veneers.
Situations that render teeth veneers unfeasible could be any of the following:
1. Close, edge-to-edge contact with the opposing dentition. The normal relationship of the upper and lower dentitions is one wherein the backsides of the upper front teeth lands on the front sides of the lower front teeth. An edge-to-edge contact will put opposing edges at the same plane. This increases the chances of failure for teeth veneers because the constant opening and closing of the jaw, as well as chewing, could cause them to be dislodged.
2. Bruxism or teeth grinding. The night grinders are definitely way out of the picture. The unconscious, involuntary jaw reflex that happens during sleep cannot be monitored. Dislodgement is also a possibility.
Another critical point to take note of in the case of grinders is that dislodged teeth veneers could impede the airways. Breathing would be affected and a displaced veneer can even cause one to choke.
3. Severe or chronic periodontal disease. Most of the time, patients with this condition have gum diseases as well. With a bad support mechanism, veneers can also fail. An extensive case of gum recession would show the necks of the teeth (junction between the crown and root) or even the root part. Roots are usually yellow in hue, while the crown enamel spans from white to off white. A patient exhibiting this demanding for a veneer is perhaps a lover of summer shades. Teeth veneers should match the shade of the adjacent teeth – not the root.
If you want to know if you would qualify as a candidate for teeth veneers, consult with your regular dentist. That yellow canine might have been bugging you for so long a time.
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