Apart from temporary veneers made up of composite resins, yes, even if they vary considerably in terms of ceramic types: feldspathic, lithium disilicate ceramics, etc.

We use forefront equipment (intraoperative stereomicroscope, sonic and ultrasonic hanpieces, etc.), highly reliable materials (high strength ceramics, last-generation enamel-dentin adhesive systems, long lasting esthetic resin cements) and production technologies certified by our dental laboratories.

Not necessarily, it depends on the type of defect. If you need to increase the volume of the teeth or to close interdental spaces (diastemas), it is also possible to use no-prep techniques that do not need to prepare the teeth; however, to achieve an optimal result, this is not always possible. The aesthetic and functional success is dictated by the fact that a minimal room is created on the tooth surface to apply the ceramic veneer (0.3-0.5 mm) without generating excessive edges or overcontours especially at the level of the gums, causing over time gingivitis, not bleachable pigmentations and other various problems. For this reason, we recommend applying dental veneers only if there is an evident shape defect or after severe erosions, while slight discromies can be treated in many cases with professional whitening.

To limit the risk of decementation (reported in literature at a rate of approximately 1-2%), it is mandatory to prepare the tooth properly leaving the greatest possible amount of enamel, to use reliable cements (specific resin cements for veneers) and to pay attention during chewing, limiting cutting or tearing too hard foods and avoiding parafunctional habits, like eating nails, biting pens, etc. In addition, if teeth have been significantly lengthened for functional and/or aesthetic reasons, patients should use a protective night guard.

The risk that veneers can become detectable is related to two factors: fake aesthetic (big “movie” teeth, too white and uniform ceramic, total absence of asymmetry) and pigmentation of margins over time. To avoid such occurrences, the clinical case have to be carefully studied with the application of thin test veneers without preparing the teeth using a technique called “mock-up”, that allows the patient to have an idea of what the final result may be before drilling the teeth and the clinician to correct any drawbacks before proceeding to the fabrication of the final restorations. Furthermore, pigmentations can be made less evident by placing the preparation margins in areas that are not visible, so preparing the teeth “strategically”. In terms of aesthetic performance of ceramics, the color never changes over time; therefore they do not need whitening like natural teeth. Conversely, the color of natural teeth, roots and composite resin restorations can change. In order to limit the onset of pigmentations, patients should limit the intake of exogenous pigments (nicotine, food pigment such as carotene, etc). Obviously periodic check-ups by the dentist are critical to ensure the aesthetic success and the proper function of ceramic veneers.

Undoubtedly, the main advantage is minimal invasiveness, compared to traditional restorations such as crowns that necessitate the drilling of the whole tooth while the preparation for veneers only affects its outside part for a few tenths of a millimeter. Certainly, the veneers are more invasive than dental bleaching but the latter does not act on shape defects. True disadvantages do not exist, apart from “relative” contradictions, that means conditions that can limit or eliminate completely the possibility to make the veneers , as in the case of severely destroyed teeth, too much wide space, lack of intermediate teeth, etc. Obviously, each case should be evaluated individually and with a multidisciplinary approach.

Mostly, patient require veneers for aesthetic reasons, so dental malformations, dental malfunctions, closure of spaces (diastemata), discoloration and pigmentations, enamel defects (amelogenesis imperfecta, fluorosis). Others are treated with veneers as finishing of orthodontic treatment: when spaces remain after orthodontics and they do not interfere with a proper occlusion, the veneers are used without moving further the teeth. Others require veneers because of dental wear, when teeth are worn as a result of friction or parafunctions and they cannot see them anymore either when talking or smiling and making the patient look like older. A smaller category concerns patients who do not want to drill their teeth and therefore do not easily accept the idea of prosthetic crowns. Patients interested in dental veneers often ask questions also about the techniques and tools necessary for whitening.

Essentially, a marked aesthetic requirement: straight regular teeth, white teeth, perfect and well balanced smile. Moreover, the idea of a conservative therapy that allows limited or no preparation of teeth is undoubtedly the reason why many of them choose this type of restoration. Statistically, the veneers are mostly required by women between 18 and 45 years old, although in the last few years the trend is changing.

They are patients who have a strong aesthetic feeling, great attention to details and they often have very clear ideas about the shape and texture they want to get as final result. Furthermore, dental veneers are also required by patients who are very careful to complete aesthetic treatment. The procedure is generally faster than traditional prosthesis crowns and does not absolutely require the same time as a proper orthodontic treatment.

The main fear is definitely the idea of drilling teeth: patients often require veneers because they want to keep their own teeth as much as possible. Then, there is the fear of breaking or losing them while eating but, as previously mentioned, these occurrences are absolutely negligible if patients follow little advice and avoid parafunctional habits.