Composite Veneer

What is a composite veneer?

A composite veneer is a type of synthetic shell that is fitted over the natural tooth, in order to create the appearance of a straight, white, perfectly-aligned smile. They are also used for small chips and cracks in the teeth than may appear following an accident or injury to the mouth. They are regularly compared to porcelain veneers, but despite being used to achieve the same aim, they are different in both application and performance.

What can they be used for?

A composite veneer can solve a variety of dental problems, from physical damage to the teeth, to more cosmetic concerns. Here are some of the situations they can help with:

Stained teeth – Covering over discoloured teeth isn’t always the most desirable option, but sometimes patients have tried everything to remove deep staining. If teeth whitening procedures just aren’t having providing the required results, composite veneers can be used to hide the dark enamel and protect the teeth from further staining.

Crooked teeth – Sometimes referred to as ‘instant orthodontics’, veneers are frequently used to treat patients with severely crooked teeth, who don’t want to wear braces – or wait for years to see the effects. Most dentists would advise against simply covering up miss-aligned teeth, but the procedure has become very popular in recent years, thanks to its fast, effective outcome. A simpler treatment would be to provide a brace system for a short time, then replace any particularly troubling teeth with a composite veneer.

Broken teeth – Composite material is widely used for rebuilding broken teeth, whether they have been worn down over time, or they have been fractured in an accident. Chips can be repaired quickly and at a cheaper price than a full veneer.

Gaps in teeth – Instead of having the teeth reshaped to fit a whole set of veneers over the top, small gaps can be filled with composite materials to resemble a tooth. Filling gaps between teeth is a very common treatment at most dentists’ surgeries.

Are they better than porcelain veneers?

When used for cosmetic purposes alone – i.e. a full set of new teeth – composite veneers do not generally perform as well as their porcelain counterparts. However, this doesn’t mean they are not a viable option – particularly for patients who are looking for less costly treatment.

The first difference to be noted is that composite veneers do not last as long as porcelain ones, this is because they aren’t as hard and can chip occasionally. They tend to last about five years, but can last longer with good aftercare and adequate cleaning. Porcelain veneers can last up to fifteen years, if properly cared for.

An advantage of composite veneers is that they can usually be fitted in just one appointment, mainly because they require less tooth reduction than with porcelain ones, as the material is applied directly to the teeth and doesn’t have to be manufactured beforehand. Although this means more skill is required of the surgeon, it’s generally a much quicker period of treatment than with other types of veneer – porcelains have to be built to direct specifications in a laboratory.

The main disadvantage of composites is that they are often prone to staining; this is because the material is more porous than porcelain, leaving it vulnerable to food or drink with dark colouring in it. Porcelain veneers are much more durable and have been described as more natural looking – although this subject is up for debate among patients and industry professionals.

How are they fitted?

Firstly, choosing a dentist to fix your smile is a very important step, you need someone who you feel comfortable with and who understands your reasons for undergoing cosmetic dental surgery. During your initial consultation, you will be able to voice any worries or concerns you might have, for more information on veneers or to book an appointment, give the Pearl Dental Clinic a call and take the first step towards a brighter smile.

After the condition of your teeth has been assessed, the dentist will determine whether composite veneers are suitable for you. You and your dentist will then decide what shade you would like the new teeth to be, this tends to be a similar shade to the natural teeth, unless the surgery is being used to cover discolouration or staining. After this, your teeth will be cleaned thoroughly to prepare them for the veneers, then the enamel surface is roughened using acid, this is to allow the material to bond more robustly with the natural teeth underneath – this way, the veneers will last longer.

When the teeth are ready, strong glue is applied to them and then the composite material is slowly layered over the top. As the mixture begins to harden, the dentist must continually shape and refine it to a pleasing aesthetic finish, ending with a good polish. This might sound like a lengthy procedure, but it’s actually much faster than fitting porcelain veneers, which usually take two or three appointments.

How much do they cost?

That depends on how much work has to be done, the quality of the materials in use, and the skill of the chosen surgeon. Even as the cheaper option, composite veneers can still be pretty pricey – some surgeries charge as much as a thousand pounds a tooth – but you’re really paying for a skill that not every dentist possesses. Compared to porcelain veneers, fitting composite veneers requires a more artistic hand, so it’s important to thoroughly research the dentist you are considering beforehand – most will be only too happy to provide you with some examples of their handiwork.