A basic introduction to composite veneers
So, you have always desired to enhance your smile! A lot of people all over the world including the United Kingdom want it. Dental veneers could be an appropriate choice for each one of you who want to have an improved smile. What are these dental veneers? The question seems pretty obvious and to answer it you can say veneers are ultrathin shells which are fitted over the front surface of your existing teeth to enhance their appearance. As such modern dentistry offers a range of options to improve the appearance of your smile and veneers is one such option which is highly popular because of several reasons.
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The other alternative options include tooth bonding and enameloplasty; even dental crowns too are an option for you. As far as dental veneers are concerned they are available in two varieties, namely composite and porcelain. As the name implies porcelain veneers are made from porcelain and custom designed to fit over your teeth properly. Composite veneers on the other hand are made from composite resin which comes in the colour of the tooth. It is relevant mentioning that this composite resin material is the same which is used in bonding the teeth or teeth – another uniquely popular cosmetic dentistry procedure.
You have choose between the two varieties of veneers carefully as both have their own pros and cons. It is important to consider your budget while making the selection.
Who are veneers for?
Dental veneers provide a realistic cover up to almost all kinds of imperfections related to the tooth and do not forget it can even brighten up your smile assures a dentist who provides composite veneers in London, UK over the years. Imperfections in this context includes chipped, stained (or discoloured) and crooked (or misshapen) tooth. Moreover if the natural enamel coating of your tooth has eroded away, veneers can also cover up that mess pretty convincingly.
Veneers are different from crowns although they cover a part of your tooth. Crowns are much thicker if you compare and a crown covers an entire tooth both the back and the front. Crowns also require greater trimming of the natural enamel structure of a tooth. Veneers may or may not require as much trimming of the tooth structure as a crown. The veneer option is more suitable and a smarter choice when your teeth are more or less in sound condition and you just want to enhance their appearance in terms of shape and colour.
Crowns on the other hand are ideal for the tooth that is badly damaged and requires some kind of reinforcement. In cases like a broken tooth or a root canal, a dental crown is a much better solution than veneers.
Different types of veneers available
Veneers can be practically divided into three types or categories, for example direct composite veneers, indirect composite veneers and porcelain veneers. Now let us explore more on each of the varieties.
- Direct composite veneers
As the name implies, direct composite veneers are applied to your teeth directly and are made from a composite resin material. Preparing the tooth for this type of veneer is quite easy for any dentist and the procedure itself is minimally invasive.
- Indirect composite veneers
The actual material that is used in direct and indirect composite veneers is the one and the same although the difference lies in the process of application, explains a dentist who quotes reasonable price for composite veneers in the UK. To apply direct composite veneers the tooth or teeth are prepped. When indirect composite veneers are concerned, these are custom designed indirectly outside the mouth of a patient unlike its direct composite counterpart. Custom designing of indirect composite veneers is usually done in a dental lab or at the office of a dentist.
Till your custom fitted indirect veneers get prepared you will get a set of temporary veneers. Your custom fitted indirect composite veneers are applied to your teeth with help of some dental adhesive at the next appointment. Indirect composite veneers are costlier and longer lasting than the direct composite variety. Moreover indirect composite veneers are capable to withstand more abrasions and resist fractures better compared to the direct variety.
- Porcelain veneers
Porcelain veneers as the name suggests is made from porcelain and is custom made for a patient’s teeth. As the first step your dentist takes impressions of your teeth and based on that impression veneers are custom designed for your teeth from a mould in a dental lab. This process usually takes a week or even longer. In the interim period you will be on a set of temporary veneers and this part is more or less the same as receiving indirect composite veneers. Once your porcelain veneers are completely ready your dentist cements the thin shells porcelain to the front surface of your teeth and then shape them up to give them as much natural look as possible.
Cost of composite veneers
Now let us come to something more crucial – how much are composite veneers in the UK? The tentative cost of the treatment in London is around the range from £350 to £650 a tooth. It is important to note that the price of the treatment at private dentists across the UK is never uniform and is likely to vary from place to place.
Porcelain veneers versus composite veneers – a quick comparison
Both porcelain and composite veneers have their pros and cons. Before making your selection you should weigh both the benefits and downsides of each of the varieties carefully.
| Pros | Cons | |
| Composite veneers | More affordable in price Can easily cover up a host of aesthetic issues related to the teeth like discolouration and misshapen teeth, etc.Easier and less complicated application procedure if direct veneers | The material is less durable than porcelain and is easily prone to chipRequires replacement or touch ups more frequently compared to porcelain counterpart |
| Porcelain veneers | Stronger material ensures longer durabilityCompletely custom fittedEnsures a more natural appearance of your teethThis can correct more serious aesthetic issues of your teeth compared to composite ones | Steep cost makes the treatment unaffordable to the massesIt may fall off easily and then you have to re-glue it to your teeth |
If you are looking for composite veneers at reasonable cost in London then 1A Orthodontics located at Freshford Street in Wandsworth is one of the best places to look into. We are open on all weekdays as well as on Saturdays but only by appointment.