Dr. Carreras Monrós is an expert in dental aesthetics in Barcelona. She has an extensive training, having done part of it in the United States. She is a regular speaker at congresses on the specialty. She has combined her professional career with teaching for several years. He is a member of different medical societies.
Composite veneers What are they, when are they needed, how are they applied?
Our clinic chooses composite veneers as a cosmetic dental treatment. Composite veneers are an aesthetic treatment that is done using the latest generation composite resins, these resins are applied on the patient’s enamel. In some cases it is done on only 1 tooth and in others on all the teeth that the patient shows when smiling. Our goal is to change the color or shape or position of the teeth and in some cases even the 3 things at the same time. It is important, before performing this treatment, to know the perspectives of the patient in order to be able to make a totally personalized treatment.
This composite resin, when applied on the tooth, is ductile, malleable, and with a series of specific spatulas we can shape it. Once we get the shape, with an ultraviolet light, what we do is to polymerize it, that is to say, to harden this resin. Then also, by means of all kinds of milling cutters, we give this material a specific shape, polish and shine. The indications are tooth fractures, malposition of teeth, discolored teeth and all those patients who choose not to have a long treatment such as orthodontics but a treatment that lasts approximately 4 hours, that is, if we are going to change the patient’s entire smile what we do is to appoint the patient for a whole morning and in approximately 4 hours we get to have the smile finished.
In short, it is a very personalized treatment because we do it when the patient is in the clinic and we can talk about their expectations, it is a very conservative treatment because it is not necessary to wear down, in most cases, the dental enamel, it is completely painless, no anesthesia is needed and it is indicated in all those cases in which crowns would be a more aggressive treatment for the patient, for example a crown treatment in a patient with tetracycline stains would be very conservative because we would have to wear down the pieces a lot. With this type of treatment, as we have special opaques that completely cover and block the dark color of the patient, we are able to perform a treatment of dental esthetics preserving the dental tissue to the maximum without any discomfort for the patient and in a single clinical session.
Composite or porcelain veneers: Which are better?
Composite veneers, as we know, are made directly in the dental clinic so they are much more personalized because while you are making them you are seeing the shape of the patient’s face, the shape of the lips and you can customize it for that particular patient. Apart from this, another benefit of composite vs. ceramic is that the wear is minimal because we apply products directly on the tooth enamel and the composite is adhering and forming a matrix all attached to the tooth.
Another important benefit of composite veneers is that it is performed in a single clinical session, so all the lab time, which could be 2 or 3 appointments with 1 week difference, does not exist in this treatment. We also have to take into account that if the composite breaks, just as the ceramic can break, it can be repaired in 20 minutes and it is done in the clinic without the need of intermediaries such as the laboratory.
How to clean and maintain Composite Veneers?
The maintenance of composite veneers is very simple. At home it is important to do the usual hygiene, clean your teeth 2 or 3 times a day and floss your teeth. Speaking of toothpaste, no special toothpaste is necessary, with a regular toothpaste, toothpaste for sensitive teeth, fluoride toothpaste, we get to have the Composites with an ideal maintenance. Regarding the consultation it is important to make an annual visit to assess whether there is any staining in these veneers, for example a smoking patient or a patient who drinks coffee, or products that are chromagenic to the teeth, with a series of burs and discs what we do is eliminate these small stains so that these Composites are maintained for a long time in the same way as they were the first day. The durability depends a lot on this type of hygiene.
Currently, with the experience we have, which is 17 years, we see that we can have veneers made with this time, 17 years, and they are perfect in the mouth. It is true that there are other patients, smokers or those who drink more coffee or tea, who have to polish these veneers more often, in some cases it is necessary to make a small touch-up of these veneers, apply a small layer more or a conservation of discs and burs to keep them the same as the first day.