7 Types of Porcelain Veneers
By Joe McIntyre, DDS on November 08, 2021
Veneers are a great way to brighten up a smile. Traditional porcelain veneers produce an appearance that is nearly identical to that of natural teeth. But there are many different types of veneers to choose from, each with its own unique benefits and advantages.
Drs. Joe McIntyre, Dan Whiting, and Philipp Luschin at Smiles for Life Dental Care in Bridgewater and Staunton, VA, have been providing individual customized care for their patients for years, and take extra steps during the planning stages of veneer treatment to ensure beautiful, durable results.
Pros & Cons of Different Dental Veneers
- Stacked Ceramic. Stacked ceramic veneers are created by layering porcelain by hand. This is done so that the color, translucency, and shape of natural teeth are closely matched. Stacked veneers are the best when it comes to aesthetics and customization. They are, however, not as durable as pressed veneers.
- Pressed Veneers. The manufacturing process for pressed ceramic veneers is simpler, and the veneers themselves are thicker, making them quite durable. A downside to this type of veneer is that because of its thickness, it requires greater changes to a tooth’s structure before it can be applied.
- Lithium Disilicate. These types of veneers are very strong and are usually recommended for patients who suffer from bruxism, or excessive teeth grinding.
- Zirconia. Because Zirconia veneers are made from the same durable materials used to make dental crowns, they are resistant to fracture. Because of the opaqueness of Zirconia veneers, damage to the underlying tooth structure is also more effectively concealed.
- Minimal-Prep veneers. Also known as “no-prep veneers,” minimal-prep veneers are thinner than traditional veneers and do not require that a significant amount of enamel be removed from the affected tooth. Minimal-prep veneers are a good option for patients looking for veneers but who are not ready to commit to traditional veneers. They may also be an advisable option because they are reversible. A disadvantage to minimal-prep veneers is that due to their thinness, they do not afford the same level of coverage as traditional veneers.
- Same-Day Veneers. Same-day veneers are ideal for treating minor imperfections. This type of veneer can be designed and created in one appointment and is an ideal solution for treating damage to a single tooth.
- CEREC Veneers. Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics veneers are porcelain veneers that can be created at a dentist’s office using digital imaging software and a milling unit that can convert dental scans into a finished physical product. Because of this convenience, these extremely durable veneers can be manufactured on-site–usually within one day. This saves patients time and money on laboratory services. However, because the results are fast, they may not be as natural-looking as alternatives.
Contact Us for a Veneers Consultation
The mission of the experts at Smiles for Life Dental Care is to provide excellent patient care that goes above and beyond standard levels. Are patients happy with dental veneers from Smiles for Life Dental Care? They sure are. A testimonial from an actual patient along with her before & after pictures.
Call (540) 828-2312 or schedule an appointment online today to find out what continues to garner them dozens of 5-star reviews from patients just like you.
