Do you, too, dream of a dazzling white smile with flawless teeth? A movie-star Hollywood smile? The teeth we see on many celebrities, among others, are rarely natural. In fact, people’s natural teeth often exhibit imperfections such as cracks and chips on individual teeth, misalignment, and discoloration. Tooth discoloration is caused, among other things, by the natural aging process as well as by certain beverages and foods.
With the help of veneers, the Bellevue medical team in Zurich is able to gently and effectively conceal dental imperfections that are perceived as unattractive. It’s not uncommon for veneers to help patients feel more at ease in public and smile more freely.
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are wafer-thin (approximately 1 mm thick, depending on the type) shells made of ceramic or composite resin. The term is derived from English and literally means “veneer.” When applied to the front teeth, veneers form a permanent dental covering. The primary purpose of veneers is to improve the appearance of the teeth. When professionally applied, veneers are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth. Each veneer is custom-made based on a dental impression, ensuring it blends seamlessly into the patient’s smile.
Different Types of Veneers
At our Zurich clinic, we primarily use veneers made from high-quality ceramic. Although veneers are also made of plastic, the ceramic varieties impress both our patients and us above all with their durability, natural appearance, and biocompatibility—ceramic veneers very rarely cause adverse reactions.
Expert Application of Veneers
Our Bellevue dental team typically performs the professional application of veneers in several treatment steps: During the first appointment, we thoroughly clean the front teeth to be treated. To create a base for the veneers, the affected teeth are then minimally prepared—this step helps ensure the veneers adhere better and guarantees that the veneered and natural teeth are at the same height. After successful preparation, we take an impression of the teeth to be treated and initially fit you with temporary composite veneers.
Based on the dental impressions taken, your custom veneers are then fabricated by a dental technician. Once the ceramic veneers are complete, they replace the temporary resin veneers. Each veneer is then bonded to the corresponding tooth using a special adhesive. The adhesive we use is particularly gentle on the teeth and helps ensure the longevity of the veneer. You can expect the procedure to take approximately 30 minutes per veneer. On average, a veneer can cover the treated tooth for about 10 years.
Advantages of Veneers
The placement of veneers is one of the least invasive dental procedures. The natural aesthetic enhancement of your teeth achieved through veneers can hardly be matched by alternative methods such as teeth whitening. Veneers also offer significant advantages over dental crowns—for example, placing a dental crown requires the removal of a comparatively large amount of healthy tooth structure.
In the long term, veneers can even surpass natural teeth in various aesthetic respects. For example, ceramic veneers are not prone to discoloration and thus maintain a consistent color over time. Additionally, plaque can only accumulate on the surface of veneers to a very limited extent—a factor that is particularly beneficial for dental health.
Individual Suitability for Veneers
Although ceramic veneers are well tolerated by nearly every patient, various factors may preclude their use: severely decayed teeth, for example, may require a crown. Additionally, the durability of veneers can be compromised by patient-specific habits such as teeth grinding or biting one’s fingernails.
We’ll discuss with you during a personalized consultation whether veneers are a suitable option in your specific case.
If you’d like to learn more about the possibilities of veneers or schedule a consultation at our Bellevue dental practice in Zurich, please feel free to contact us. We’d also be happy to provide information about Lumineers.