Ever wondered how celebrities keep their smiles so bright and their teeth oh so white? Chances are, these famous people might have done veneers on their teeth to keep them picture-ready at all times. The good news is, there are many dental clinics all over Singapore that offer veneers so that you too, can achieve those perfectly white teeth!
Considering veneers but don't quite understand what it is and how it works? Read on to know everything about veneers and how they can help you get that confident smile you only see on TV!
What can veneers do for me?
Simply put, a veneer is a thin piece of laminate bonded into the natural tooth that is specially designed to transform your smile by changing or improving the tooth:
- Shape
- Shade
- Spacing
- Strength
In some cases, veneers can also be used to restore a decaying tooth by fixing the visible portions of the damaged tooth. Veneers are generally great solutions for cosmetics as veneers can be specifically customized to improve the front teeth, even without decay and just purely for aesthetic purposes. Basically, veneers can be likened as to how false fingernails are glued to natural nails to make them look better. Similarly, veneers are attached in front and the edges of the teeth to make smiles brighter.
What are Veneers made of?
To date, there are two types of veneers that are generally used by dentists and are made of different materials. These two types of veneers are mainly used in Singapore:
1. Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain is a glass-like ceramic material with translucent properties. Porcelain veneers are usually manufactured in a dental laboratory by an expert ceramic technician.
Pros: Veneers made of porcelain tend to be the more popular choice for patients as they are more durable, more natural-looking and prettier. Unlike natural teeth, porcelain veneers do not stain so there is no more need to worry about staining food like coffee, tea, red wine and even cigarettes.
Cons: Way more expensive and may require multiple visits as porcelain veneers will have to be manufactured in a dental laboratory.
2. Composite Resin Veneers
Composite resin is enamel-like material and resembles the colour of the natural tooth. This type of veneers can also be manufactured in a dental laboratory but most often, they are done by the dentist chairside.
Pros: Cheaper and can usually be done in one visit. With his/her skill and artistry, the dentist sculpts, bonds and polishes the composite resin veneer directly onto the patient’s tooth in-office.
Cons: Tend to lose its lustre in about 3-5 years and can be discoloured and chipped off.
How is the procedure carried out?
In brief, attachment of veneers is typically a pain-free procedure and chronologically carried out through these steps:
- Thorough consultation (Complete oral examination and assessment)
- Trial Smile (Your dentist makes and shows you a mock-up design of your new smile)
- Customization (Here, you can decide for the colour, translucency and shape of your veneers)
- Production of Veneers (Your new smile is digitally scanned and dentist/ceramist sculpts veneers)
- Fitting of Veneers (Once available, new veneers will be cemented and fixed on your teeth)
- Adjustments (To ensure a proper fit, your dentist may perform bite adjustments and polishing)
Sometimes, veneers may require very minimal tooth reduction or no tooth reduction at all depending on the case at hand.
Will Veneers look natural?
When done by a very skilled dentist and made by expert an expert ceramist, both porcelain and composite resin veneers will look as natural as can be. Another factor to be considered is the patient’s preference. Some patients prefer ultra-white teeth similar to Hollywood stars while some prefer a more natural and discretely improved smile. This cosmetic choice is usually up to the patient.
How do I maintain Veneers?
Experts from Dental Designs in Singapore explain that the process is the same as maintaining your normal teeth. All you need to do is brush, floss, and clean on the regular. The only difference is that this time, your smile will be brighter, better and free of stains.
What is the cost of Veneers in Singapore?
In Singapore, porcelain veneers cost about $950-$1250 per tooth while resin veneers cost about $350-$550 per tooth. As you can see, porcelain veneers cost twice as resin veneers. This disparity is mainly influenced by the pros and cons of each material mentioned above. Another thing to consider for the cost of veneers in Singapore is the skills and training of the dentist. Like any medical procedure, the more skilled the doctor is, the higher his/her fee will be.
Can I use Medisave for Veneers?
Unfortunately, veneers placement is a non-surgical dental procedure and Medisave cannot be used to claim for expenses for this procedure. Additionally, veneers are most commonly used as cosmetic dentistry materials which are not supported by Medisave.
Am I a good candidate for Veneers?
Although the benefits of veneers can be very appealing, not everyone can have them. People with a history of gum disease, weakened enamel and serious dental conditions are not suitable for veneers. To be a good candidate for veneers, one must have a healthy overall dental health. In addition, great commitment is required as veneers modify your teeth and can last for up to 10 years. So, if you are considering veneers, the first step in the process is to visit your dentist and if qualified, be 100% committed to the procedure.
