Composite veneers are tooth-coloured shells fitted on the teeth surface to fix a crack, discolouration or chip. The dentist shapes and sculpts the composite veneer after fitting them on the teeth, then hardens the resin material with a high-intensity light and polish it to improve the smile aesthetically.
Some persons require several layers of composite resin veneers to get their desired result, but the procedure is a simple and minimally intrusive one. You can get composite veneers for different reasons, but most people prefer composite resin veneers to fix their chipped teeth.
The composite material acts as a filler for gaps and correct different minor teeth imperfections to make the teeth straighter, fuller and properly aligned.
Composite resin materials used for composite veneers are now durable due to advancements in technology. Composite veneers can last for about 5 – 7 years before you need to replace them. However, composite veneers can last longer, for up to 10 years, if you care for them.
Advantages of composite veneers
The following are a few advantages of composite veneers.
- Cost
This is one of the major reasons people opt for composite veneers. It is affordable but effective cosmetic dental treatment for improving the smile. Unlike porcelain veneers, most people can afford composite veneers.
- Same-day treatment
Composite veneers are more affordable than porcelain veneers because you can get them on the same day as your consultation. Within a few hours, you can be sure to leave your dentist’s office with better-looking teeth and smile. You even have the option of including your composite veneer treatment in your same-day smile makeover.
However, getting porcelain veneers requires your dentist to take your teeth impression and send them to the lab to make the porcelain veneers. While you wait for your permanent porcelain veneers, your dentist will fit temporary veneers, and you would have to return to the clinic within a week or two to get the permanent ones.
This means you spend a lot of time improving your smile with porcelain veneers, and it increases the cost of your treatment, but with composite veneers, you have a less invasive and shorter treatment.
- Repairable and reversible
Another advantage of composite veneers over porcelain veneers is that you can repair your composite veneer. The treatment is also reversible because your teeth require minimal preparation before a composite veneer fitting. With composite veneers, your dentist does not alter your teeth permanently, and you can replace or remove the veneers at any time, but, with porcelain veneers, the dentist must remove a thin layer of the enamel before fitting the veneers, which alters the teeth permanently.
Other things you should know about composite veneers
Composite veneers do not change the colour of your teeth or whiten them but can give you a whiter smile. The composite resin which the dentist fits on your teeth will match your teeth shade because the aim of getting veneers is to fix teeth imperfections like chipped, squinted, or misshapen teeth. Asides from the minor teeth defects, your teeth need to be healthy and in good shape to get composite veneers.
If you want whiter teeth, you would have to undergo teeth whitening treatment first before getting veneers. This ensures that you get composite veneers to match your existing whiter teeth. Composite veneers can become stained over time, but the material used to make the veneers make it less likely for them to get stained.
Your composite veneers will only stain if you take things that can stain your natural teeth. This means your composite veneers would not get darker than your natural teeth and would only become discoloured alongside your natural teeth. You may notice surface stains on your veneer from prolonged exposure to coffee, cigarette, red wine and other stain-causing drinks.
If your composite veneers get stained, do not use a tooth whitening kit on them because teeth whitening agents do not brighten veneers and other dental restorations. You can consult your dentist if you notice your veneers gradually changing colour.
Your dentist can perform a professional cleaning to remove the stains on your veneers, but you can have the veneers replaced if this is not possible.
Tips for caring for composite veneers
Your composite veneers require the same care as your natural teeth. If you need your veneers in good shape, you need to have a good oral hygiene routine, which involves brushing your teeth daily and flossing to remove the plaque and food particles stuck between your teeth. Ensure you schedule regular appointments with your dental professional for check-ups and cleanings.
These tips below will also help prolong the lifespan of your composite veneers.
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush
Toothbrushes with hard bristles can damage your composite veneers, and the risk of damage increases if you apply a lot of pressure while brushing. It could also cause receding gums and exposing the base of your composite veneer. You can avoid this by using a soft-bristled brush and brushing your teeth gently.
- Brush after certain meals
Things that stain your natural teeth, like red wine and coffee, can stain your veneers, so it is best to brush after taking these drinks and food that may cause teeth discolouration. Brushing after you take every cup of coffee or stain-causing food may be inconvenient, but ensure you brush your teeth several times daily to reduce the chances of staining your veneers and natural teeth.
If you can’t assess a toothbrush immediately after eating, you can rinse your mouth with a good mouthwash. It is also best to avoid taking fizzy drinks.
- Avoid using baking soda
Baking soda is a constituent of different types of toothpaste and is effective in removing stains from the natural teeth, but it can damage your composite veneers. Baking soda is abrasive to baking veneers, especially porcelain veneers.
- Polish your veneers with specific toothpaste
Toothpaste specifically made to remove stains on veneers are now available. You can consult a dentist to recommend a suitable one to keep your veneers white.
- Quit smoking
It may be best to quit smoking if you are considering composite veneers or have gotten them. Smoking turns the colour of veneers to light brown or yellow, which defeats the aim of improving your teeth and smile aesthetics.
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