Ceramic Veneers & Onlays

Ceramic Veneers & Onlays

Dental veneers are thin layers of porcelain (as thin as a fingernail), which are custom-made to bond to the front surface of teeth. The chemical bond creates an amazingly sturdy restoration, which is as strong as natural tooth structure and one that will not stain. There is no metal substructure so there isn’t the worry about dark lines around the teeth. They are done to strengthen chipped teeth, correct misalignments, improve the shape or color of teeth, rejuvenate the appearance of worn teeth, and correct length discrepencies. Many times veneers are done to get a more attractive shade change on teeth that are beautiful but will not lighten well due to sensitivity.

The degree of preparation needed varies from none to about 1.5 mm depending on what result is desired. More preparation is generally needed to realign crowded teeth and less is needed for space issues. Darker base colors may also need more correction to get the desired shade. However much tooth is reduced this is generally considered a non-reversible procedure. Each case has its own limitations, but veneers may last up to 15 or more years. Grinders and those with worn teeth will have to wear a nightguard to protect their new teeth from themselves. Often neuromodulators like Botox, Xeomin or Dysport can be used periodically to relax the jaw muscles and retrain the negative clenching behavior.

Porcelain veneers are called onlays when they are on back teeth. They are a long-lasting, strong option when replacing silver amalgam fillings in teeth. The restorations blend into the existing tooth becoming virtually invisible