Veneers

Veneers are highly aesthetic prosthetic replacements used to correct tooth shape, position, colour or size. They represent a minimally invasive solution that can shape and create an ideal smile. Due to their aesthetic properties, as well as proven biocompatibility and long-term predictability, they have become a reliable prosthodontic-restorative procedure for tooth treatment.

Who is a candidate?

Preliminary consultation precedes the entire process of veneer fabrication and cementation. The patient is presented with all available treatment options. A treatment proposal is given based on a detailed examination of the oral cavity, analysis of X-ray scans and facial analysis. Each step and detail required for the execution of the terapy are discussed with the patient.

Ceramic veneers can be applied to all teeth requiring the aforementioned minor corrections. It is essential for the teeth do be vital and not to have large composite fillings.

When are veneers not recommended?

On the contrary, endodontically treated teeth that are structurally compromised are not suitable for ceramic veneers.

Types of veneers

There are several types of dental veneers; however, in practice, they are most commonly divided into:

• Ceramic veneers
• Composite veneers.

Apart from being made of entirely different materials, the difference between ceramic and composite teeth lies in:

• aesthetic properties
• durability
• manufacturing process.

Ceramic veneers are certainly aesthetically superior and significantly more durable. They are non-porous, unlike composite veneers. For these reasons, we favour ceramic veneers at Miličić Dent.

Veneer fabrication protocol

The entire process required to successfully provide veneers to a patient is entirely painless, as it is conducted under local anesthesia. Tooth preparation is highly conservative and minimally invasive. On average, around 0.5 mm of tooth surface is contoured, utilizing optical aids such as dental loupes or a microscope to achieve maximum precision and conservation.

Following the contouring and impression taking, whether via traditional or digital methods, patients are always provided with temporary teeth, enabling them to perform daily activities without hindrance. Patients are informed of the possibility of mild tooth sensitivity.

Typically, two to three veneer trial sessions are conducted, during which the patient, along with the dentist and dental technician, assesses shape, size, and color. Achieving the final veneer appearance involves incorporating patient’s wishes and preferences, along with professional advice and recommendations, to ensure the smile harmonizes seamlessly with the overall facial features.

Contemporary dentistry nowdays seeks harmony rather than strict symmetry, making it crucial to analyze facial characteristics alongside the smile’s appearance and individual components of the oral cavity.

Since veneers are adhesively bonded to the tooth, forming an integrated unit, they behave similarly to natural teeth. Numerous studies attest to the high lifespan of veneers, i.e. veneers longevity, assuming each step adheres to professional standards, with patient’s compliance playing a significant role.

Indeed, caring for new teeth mirrors that of natural teeth and each patient is provided with detailed oral hygiene instructions. This encompasses comprehensive guidance on brushing techniques, recommendations for flossing and interdental brushes, as well as mandatory biannual check-ups.

Dr. Iva Jelavić