The history of veneers
Our teeth are exposed to a variety of factors that can lead to their eventual erosion and damage. The ability to change the appearance of damaged, but not diseased teeth has been desired by dentists and patients alike for centuries. The invention of veneers made this possible. Veneers were invented by a Californian dentist called Charles Pincus in the late 1920s. Initially, these early forms of today’s veneers were only used temporarily to change the appearance of actors’ teeth before a film shoot or an acting performance. Later he developed acrylic veneers, which were stuck on teeth using denture adhesives, however still only very little adhesion was achieved, therefore these veneers were only a temporary solution. Later, the invention of etching made veneers a much more reliable and permanent option for the cosmetic improvement of damaged teeth. Hydrofluoric acid can be used to etch porcelain veneers to the enamel more permanently. Veneers nowadays last approximately 10-30 years, thanks to the technological advancements in the field of bonding agents and types of cement. If you would like to get veneers in Liverpool, book an appointment with us at the Liverpool Smile Studio.
When are veneers the most beneficial?
Veneers are small and thin layers of a certain material fixed upon a tooth or multiple teeth to improve their appearance. As veneers are indicated for the treatment of cosmetic issues, such as broken, chipped or discoloured teeth, it is important that the tooth the veneer will be added onto is in good health. Veneers are also useful for creating a more symmetrical smile for patients with irregularly sized teeth. Veneers are most commonly applied on the 8 frontal teeth of the two dental arches. It is important to note that veneers are highly different from crowns and dental implants, as veneers are only applied on the surface of the tooth, while crowns or implants may replace the whole tooth. Veneers can also be useful for treating cosmetic conditions such as overly small teeth, pointy or irregularly shaped teeth, gaps between teeth or serious discolouration that whitening cannot help. There are different types of veneers available. If you would like to get veneers in Liverpool, do not hesitate to book an appointment at our dentistry, Liverpool Smile Studio.
What kind of veneers exist?
The most common material used for making veneers is porcelain. Traditional veneers may be more invasive and require more preparatory dental work than so-called “non-prep” veneers. When traditional veneers are applied, usually the tooth structure is ground down to a certain level, which sometimes even involves tooth layers beneath the enamel. This procedure allows veneers to adhere to the tooth’s surface properly, however, it is an irreversible dental procedure that can involve some pain. However, there is no reason to worry – local anaesthetics do an excellent job alleviating dental pain. The more modern non-prep veneers require significantly less preparatory dental work and tooth grinding, and it mostly only affects the enamel. Typically, non-prep veneers do not necessitate the use of a local anaesthetic, as the procedure is not particularly painful. If you think you would benefit from veneers in Liverpool, do not hesitate to get in touch with us, the Liverpool Smile Studio.