I must say that I was amazed first when I read about hi-tech solutions in dentistry. I thought that I might actually a part of a science fiction movie. Inn addition to veneers I would like you to find out about CEREC Technology too!

The term CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetics Ceramics, and using the latest CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design/ Computer Aided Machinery) technology, so dentists are able to create crowns and veneers with amazing precision thanks to the revolutionary 3D imaging that is used to make an optical impression of your teeth. OK. This sounds a bit scientific, right?

This is how it is done:

• For the best optical impression, your tooth is painted with a non-toxic titanium dioxide powder before the scan.

• Once the patient’s mouth is scanned, the CEREC milling machine is able to create the Cerec veneers within 20 minutes using high-speed diamond burs, instead of having to wait several days to have the work done by a technician outside of the doctor’s office.

Pretty impressive, huh?

The result is an amazing, properly fitting and colored dental restoration that looks like your natural teeth or just as you wished for. When the restoration is completed, it will be permanently bonded to your tooth. The CEREC made porcelain veneer will last as long as any other porcelain restoration.

Using this technology patients are in need of crown or veneer replacements can have the entire procedure done in just one visit at the dentist and the amount of injections and drilling is reduced too.

Patients who have had their teeth covered with cerec veneers are usually very satisfied with the results and the price of Cerec veneers is usually lower than the price of porcelain veneers as the production process is usually both faster and easier. Cerec veneers cost can vary from as little as £300 up to £700+ per tooth. The time required for making the preparations, manufacturing and installing a CEREC veneer is approximately 4 hours.

All I can tell, I would go for these! Pretty amazing! Have you ever seen this machine in real life?

Wow! Is this possible? YES! With something that is called composite veneers!

I have already mentioned veneers in general, so you probably already know that when a thin shell is applied to a tooth after a layer of enamel has been removed, the new layer that is put in place by the dentist is called an instant veneer. These shells can be made of made of porcelain- and composite materials as well. Composite veneers are fabricated inside the mouth by the cosmetic dentist, while porcelain veneers are produced at a dental laboratory by a technician and then put in place by the dentist.

This is the view I hate .

Composite veneers often are called “composite resin veneers”, where resin is nothing more than a filling material that resembles the color of your teeth, or a bit brighter in order to hiding present stains on teeth. This plastic like material can be used to hide fillings as well, and can be further manipulated to cover over a tooth, creating veneers and giving your teeth a whole new look.

Composite veneer installation is often completed in one dental visit, where the “in chair” time is around 3 hours, depending on the amount of work required mostly for the preparation.

On the other hand, composite veneers are approx. 20 % cheaper than their porcelain variants, and are often covered by insurance with a patient paying up to 80% off the total cost.

Composite veneers are generally used for smaller problems, like minor gaps or tooth chips, and they are not suitable for entire smile makeovers as they lack the translucent properties of porcelain which provides a natural look. Composite veneers tend to last for only a couple of years, where after they will have to be removed and a new set of veneers has to be installed for further costs.

Unlike porcelain veneers, composite veneers are not stain resistant and they need frequent maintenance. So choose carefully, composite veneers are only the next best thing to porcelain veneers.

Knowing all these facts, which one would you choose?

YEAH. Strange, huh? Maybe not so much after reading my post about dental veneers.

Porcelain veneers are meant to cover and hide worn down, chipped, broken, discolored, stained teeth, hollowed teeth thanks to root canal procedure, irregularly spaced teeth, and teeth with gaps in between.

You would think that porcelain items such as plates are very fragile and you may have some concerns regarding the durability of the porcelain veneers. But the fact is that once they are bonded to your teeth, these porcelain veneers are actually very strong and durable. Their high stain resistance is another benefit and you can still enjoy stain causing beverages such as coffee or red wine.

As a matter of fact they look like real tooth enamel and they seem natural since they are translucent and reflect light. Your natural teeth color is going to be taken into consideration and used as a reference when producing your porcelain veneers. Moreover, this glass-like porcelain quality makes them resistant to staining and they never become dull or stained with time.

It is a good habit to bush your teeth after every meal in order to keep the veneers free from food particles. Use a soft toothbrush and do circular movements on your teeth and gums.

Porcelain veneers need flossing as much as your natural teeth. Don’t forget to floss after every meal or at least once a day, preferably in the evening, before going to bed. This will not only help you to keep your veneered teeth free from plaque and food particles, but will also maintain your gum health.

Before the dental veneer is permanently cemented to your tooth, your tooth will be cleaned, polished. After this, a special cement (bonding material) is applied to the veneer and it is then placed on your tooth. A special light beam is applied to the dental veneer in order to activate the chemicals in the cement, so it hardens very quickly. As final steps, removing excess cement and making final adjustments to your bite are necessary. Your may be asked for a follow-up visit to check how your gums are responding to this new condition.

You can even use porcelain veneers in combination with other dental procedures. Remember to trust only a reliable cosmetic dentist, and the result will please you.

You probably have questions now like: How much are porcelain veneers? Or How much should I pay for veneers at all? Well, prices for porcelain dental veneers in the UK vary between £300.00-£800.00 per tooth. Porcelain veneers cost might be a bit higher than composite veneers, but they last longer and are usually better at improving a person’s teeth and smile. Before you make a decision, discuss some alternatives that you can explore with your dentist.