Porcelain Veneers-the detail makes the difference.

There are plenty of indications in dentistry that allow the use of veneers. Many people struggle with teeth that are misaligned, chipped, or have abnormal size or position, among other issues, such as slight discolorations.

Porcelain is a material that provides durable restorations. These ceramic veneers are extremely natural-looking if the dental technician has adequate skills and are a great way to improve the appearance of your smile. Patients often choose porcelain, particularly when seeking a long-lasting product. It is a highly transparent material that provides that ideal looking result. Porcelain imitates the natural enamel substance and gives teeth a perfect natural smile. Mamelons, which are internal structures of the teeth, are very difficult to produce by the dental technician;

nevertheless, they often make the difference between a fake-looking veneer and a veneer that can’t be recognized as artificial tooth substance. Veneers require a minimal prep procedure, and the dentists preserve a lot of the dental tissues. Porcelain veneers are ideally bonded to enamel; we are trying to avoid connecting them to dentine. We offer both prep and non-prep veneers. Non-prep veneers are charged slightly higher due to the difficulty of the work.

Prices: 24500-27000 Php

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Zirconia Veneers

A new trend has emerged, utilizing zirconia as a material for veneers. Zirconia underwent a stunning evolution, from an opaque, whitish crown material to a material with high translucency, close to glassceramics.

Despite this evolution, zirconia still lags behind glassceramics in terms of esthetics and bonding capacity, as zirconia, unlike glassceramics, has its unique properties; nevertheless, its fracture resistance surpasses that of classical ceramics. Its surface cannot be etched, unlike glass ceramics, and therefore cannot be silanized, resulting in lower bonding strength compared to glass ceramics. Nevertheless tribochemical silica-coating can be performed to enhance micromechanical retention. As well 10-methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate in resin cements are critical primers to create P-O-Zr bonds nevertheless their formulation and ways of application can negatively impact their overall performance.[1]

Composite Veneers

These veneers are entirely made of composite resin. They are very similar to the ones done in a composite. The main differences are that composite is cheaper than porcelain, and it provides restorations with a lesser aesthetic moment compared to porcelain. Composites are not as strong as porcelain; nevertheless, their flexibility is similar to dentine, and therefore, they are durable. This method of restoration requires little to no prep of the tooth, which is a great advantage. In other words, the dentist completely preserves the tooth tissue while making the restorations. If they fall off, discolor, or get chipped, it is very easy to fix and replace them. The main reason why patients choose composite over porcelain veneers is the financial factor. They will still look amazing and will transform your smile for the better.

Prices: 8000-10000 Php

Mamelons
intraoral-scan

Cerec/intraorally scanned Veneers.

Intraorally scanned veneers are one of the latest advancements in the world of dentistry. The Cerec CAD/CAM technology is a fantastic system that allows dentists to create perfectly precise, high-quality, and durable restorations. In our office, we are using Cerec alongside several other intraoral scanners. The veneers are custom-made for each patient and are made of feldspar or lithium disilicate porcelain.

First, the tooth preparation is scanned with a scanning unit, then veneers are designed via CAD software and milled, sintered, and installed in one appointment. The system uses high-tech 3D software, which enhances its capabilities.

Prices: 24500-27000 Php

Procedure

The procedure is straightforward and pain-free. The first step is to schedule a visit to your dentist, who can provide advice and an opinion on whether veneers are a suitable solution for your case. Some people are not the best patients for this type of restoration. Patients with gum disease, frequent and untreated caries, root canal procedures, and other oral diseases are mostly not candidates for veneers. Once all of these problems are resolved, the patient can then consider getting a cosmetic reconstruction.

When you want to learn more about the procedure, please check our YouTube instructional video:
The next step is to decide which type of veneers is right for you. It all depends on the individual case and the doctor’s opinion. You can always hear the advice, but the final decision is yours. If your financial situation allows you to get the most expensive restorations, then you don’t have too much to think about. As part of the treatment plan, the dentist will take an X-ray of your mouth and impressions and/or digital scans. During the visit, you will express all your wishes on how exactly you want your new teeth to look. The dentist will note all the information on size, color, height and will transfer it to the dental technician who fabricates the veneers.

When you want to learn more about the procedure, please check our YouTube instructional video:

Wax-Up

Once you and the dentist have decided that you are going to get veneers, the dentist has to take impressions from both of your dental arches. Usually, these impressions are taken using our intraoral camera; the models afterwards will be printed using our 3d printer. The initial design will be created using the Exocad Smile Makeover software, a significant upgrade from the former work, which was done only physically. Sometimes it is hard for patients to visualize the way their new teeth will look, even seeing the virtual smile design, so dentists use this technique to create a preview. Technicians use white wax and place it on the stone teeth of the model, changing their shape, height, and appearance. In other words, they create the veneers, just in wax. Alternatively, the design of the veneers can be 3D printed, which is a more modern way to visualize the appearance of veneers. That way, all patients get a chance to take a look at their future restorations. Of course, before creating the wax-up, technicians gather information from the dentist and the patient. You will always have your say in how you want the veneers to look. If there’s anything that you don’t like on the wax-up, feel free to express your opinion.

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Mock-Up

During the following step, the dentist will create a mock-up. Once the patient has agreed on the shape and form of the wax-up, dental specialists use specific dental materials to fabricate an intraoral mock-up. The impression with the wax-up is copied in a silicone fabric, and that is how the dentist gets a silicone index. He selects a composite material in the correct color, fills the index with it, and then places it in the mouth. What the patient receives is an exact duplicate of the wax veneers, but made from a different dental material, serving as temporary veneers. In other words, the patient will have temporary veneers in the mouth called a mock-up until the permanent ones are ready. This will give them a chance to test their new smile way before the restorations are complete. Some patients accept them immediately, while others find it a bit weird.
Once the patient agrees that he likes the first look at how the permanent veneers will appear, dental technicians start working on them in the laboratory. The wax is exchanged with a permanent material, and very soon, the patient gets brand new permanent restorations.

In some cases, the dentist needs to prepare your teeth for veneers, while in others, there is no need for preparation. He will only remove a skinny layer of the enamel, depending on the material that the veneers will be made of. Composite veneers require very little, with no preparations. For the porcelain ones, the layer varies, but it’s usually less than a mm. Dentists typically apply a local anesthetic to numb the surrounding tissues and avoid pain.
Veneers can be made in a dental laboratory, which is the most common way, or directly in the patient’s mouth. Composite veneers are done both ways; sometimes the impression is sent to the dental lab, while other times the dentist does them directly in the mouth. Porcelain veneers are always fabricated in the dental laboratory. The wait also differs, but they are usually done within two visits. Many dental labs have them ready the same day, especially if we’re talking about the Cerec veneers. Once they are ready, the dentist will check all the details and will bond the veneers to your teeth.

Advantages

The best thing about getting veneers is that you have a perfect smile in a very short time. They look incredibly natural and don’t stain. Another great thing is the fact that there isn’t a significant loss of dental substance. The procedure is not painful. Veneers are a cosmetic solution to several different conditions. They provide a fantastic smile makeover, which gives patients a boost of confidence.

Disadvantages

This is a permanent procedure, and there is no turning back. That’s why every single patient has to really think over the decision of getting veneers. If you are not 100% sure, don’t do it. Another thing you have to know is that the veneered teeth can still suffer from decay or periodontal disease if you don’t have excellent oral hygiene.

Written by:
Dr. Jens Knab
Doctor of Dental Medicine (Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria
MSc in Dental Implantology (University of Saint Camillus, Rome)
Founder, Tooth & Go Dental Clinic, Paranaque.

  1. A Comprehensive Review of Techniques for Enhancing Zirconia Bond Strength: Current Approaches and Emerging Innovations
    Abdulrahman S Al-Amari 1,✉, Mashael S Saleh 2, Abdullah A Albadah 3, Abeer A Almousa 4, Waleed K Mahjoub 5, Rasha M Al-Otaibi 5, Essa M Alanazi 5, Atheer K Alshammari 6, Abdulrahman T Malki 7, Khalid F Alghelaiqah 6, Lamya F Akbar 8