Resin (Composite) Veneer

Resin Veneers or better know as composite veneers are thin shells of tooth-colored, translucent filling, custom made to fit over teeth and improve their color, shape and overall appearance. Placement of composite veneers can dramatically improve your smile and appearance.

Types of problems that composite veneers can correct

Placement of dental veneers is sometimes referred to as "instant orthodontics" because they can be used to cover a variety of dental problems involving teeth in the "smile zone" including:

• Spaces between the teeth.
• Conical or 'peg' shape lateral incisor.
• Poorly shaped or crooked teeth.
• Broken or chipped teeth.
• Permanently externally stained and/or internally stained teeth.
• Unsightly or stained fillings.

Generalize spacing and 'peg' shape right lateral incisor

Chipped incisor

Unsightly or stained fillings

Dental veneers (either composite or porcelain veneer) can improve the appearance of the teeth but they cannot realign the jaw or correct overbites and underbites. Orthodontics are required to correct these more complicated problems.

The advantages of composite resin veneers vs. porcelain veneers

• Composite veneers can be done on the spot. The time spent might be from 30 minutes to 2 hours or more depends on the number of tooth involved.  They do not required second visit.
• Composite veneers produce the same aesthetic result as porcelain veneers. Therefore, no one can tell whether you have a composite or porcelain done except your dentist!
• Composite veneers can be repair if there is any chipping or fracture.
• Composite veneers are very cheap (From MYR150 toMYR250 per tooth; depends on how difficult and big the defect is).

The major disadvantages of porcelain veneers over composite resin include the following:

• Porcelain veneers are not made at chairside. Porcelain veneers are fabricated in a dental laboratory and therefore require at least two visits. Composite resin veneers are accomplished in one visit. An adequate amount of tooth structure is removed to allow for placement of composite resin in the desired shape without added tooth bulk. Bonding agent is applied. Composite resin is then added, light cured, then finished and polished.
• Porcelain veneers are more expensive than composite veneers. The placement of veneers requires more time, expertise and resources in order to fabricate and bond and therefore cost more.
• Porcelain veneers cannot be repaired. If they break porcelain veneers must be replaced.

The advantages of porcelain veneers

Porcelain veneers have several advantages compared to composite resin including:

• Porcelain veneers are very durable. Although porcelain veneers are very thin, usually between 0.5 - 0.7 millimeters and inherently brittle, once bonded to healthy tooth structure it becomes very strong. Porcelain veneers can last for many years, usually 10-15 years, if you take good care of them using good oral hygiene and avoiding using them to crack or chew hard objects like ice.
• Porcelain veneers create a very life-like and natural tooth appearance. The translucent properties of the porcelain allows the veneers to mimic the light handling characteristics of enamel giving it a sense of depth which is not possible with other cosmetic bonding materials such as composite resin.
• Porcelain veneers resist staining. Unlike other cosmetic dental bonding materials, porcelain is a smooth, impervious ceramic and therefore will not pick up permanent stain from cigarette smoking or from dark or richly colored liquids or spices.
• Porcelain veneers are conservative. Only a small amount of tooth structure is removed, if any during the procedure.

Cases done in our practice using composite veneers...

Case 1

This young man complaint of generalized spacing and a peg-shaped right lateral incisor. Composite material was used to close all the gaps between his teeth (Below).

Case 2

This patient fell down and broke her front teeth while playing spot. The tooth was restore with composite veneer. 'Stained' or chalky white patches resin composite was place on the front surface of the veneer to mimic the neighbour  teeth (Below).

Case 3

Old filling at the center of his upper front teeth looked yellowish and rough. Those fillings were removed and replaces by new composite veneers (Below).

Case 4

Yellow stain due to uneven surface at the front teeth and old yellow filling were replace by composite veneers (Below).

Case 5

Multiple decays at the front teeth were treated with composite veneer  (Below).

Case 6

Defect of the lateral incisor was repaired with resin composite  (Below).

Case 7

Generalize unevenness of this young man front teeth gave a older look. With composite veneer correction, he looks youthful again!! (Below).

Case 8

Old composite veneers on all the six front teeth on this lady was stained at the margin. The composite were removed and were replaced with the new one  (Below).

Are you a good candidate for dental veneers?

Dental veneers are not appropriate for everyone or every tooth. Case selection is an extremely important factor in the success of this technique. Veneering teeth is not a reversible procedure if tooth structure must be removed to achieve your desired result Only an examination by your dentist can determine whether dental veneers are appropriate for making the changes you want. Some of the situations where certain teeth or people are not good candidates for dental veneers include:

• Unhealthy teeth. Dental decay and active gum disease must be treated prior to fabricating and bonding dental veneers.
• Weakened teeth. If a significant amount of tooth structure is missing or has been replaced by a large filling the teeth will not be strong enough to function with a dental veneer.
• Teeth with an inadequate amount of enamel present. Dental veneers are more successfully bonded onto tooth enamel.
• People who habitually clench or grind on their teeth. Habitual clenching and grinding of the teeth can easily chip or break dental veneers. Dental nightguards may be a solution for this in some cases.
• Persons without a stable bite.
• Severely malpositioned teeth or misaligned teeth. Orthodontic treatment may be required to achieve the desired result.

How to maintain Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers can chip or come off if not cared for properly. To improve their durability and longevity you need to maintain consistent good oral hygiene and have regular dental examinations and cleanings at least twice each year. In addition, you must avoid using them to bite or crack hard objects like nuts and ice.

What are the alternatives to composite veneers?

The closest cosmetic alternative to composite veneers is porcelain veneers which are more durable and more resistance to staining. However, they are more costly and require at least 2 visits. On top of that, there is another method to improve smile: Snap-on Smile, a  multi-purpose restorative appliance that requires no preparation or altering of tooth structure, no injections, and no adhesives. It is non-invasive, making it completely reversible.
Dental crowns may also be used to correct the same problems that dental veneers correct, however it is a much less conservative procedure.

We have something NEW!! for you....

Feeling Anxious About Dental Treatment?

Introducing.......

Nitrous Oxide Relaxation....

Transforming dental anxiety into soothing, peaceful relaxation with absolute safety.

Breathing nitrous oxide will put a smile on your face from the moment you slip into the dentist's chair. This safe and highly effective method of patient relaxation has helped millions of people overcome their anxieties about dental treatment.

As you try nitrous oxide, your feelings of anxiety will melt away quickly and be replaced by a warm, gentle feeling. Patient describe the experince as peacefully floating in pleasant dreamlike state. The apprehensive child or adult, nitrous oxide can be the key to an enjoyable, comfortable and anxiety-free dental experience.

Nitrous oxide administrator unit

What is nitrous oxide?

Commonly known as "laughing gas", nitrous oxide is a non-allergenic, non-irritating gas that affects the central nervous system. It is one of the safest forms of sedation available and is easily and completely reversed by breathing normally for 5 to 10 minutes following treatment.Nitrous oxide is used in combination with pure oxygen to relieve dentistry-related anxiety. When inhaled and absorbed into the body, nitrous oxide has a natural calming effect that lasts only as long as your dental procedure.

The goal of nitrous oxide inhalation..

The goal of use of nitrous oxide in dentistry is to eliminate dental anxiety, making the patient more comfortable while the sedation dentist is able to more effectively complete the planned dental care procedure while the patient is sedated. Consult with your dentist to find out if this pain free procedure right for you.

 

Is nitrous oxide safe?

COMPLETELY. Nitrous oxide is recognized as the safest sedative used in dentistry today. It is mild, non-toxic and removes itself naturally from your body after use. Its benefits are even recommended for patients with certain medical conditions, including high blood pressure, angina and a history of heart attacks. And, unlike general anaesthesia, patients on nitrous oxide remain fully conscious and responsive at all times.

 

Is nitrous oxide safe for children?

ABSOLUTELY. While our practice goes to great lengths to make every child feel at ease, some children required a degree of sedation to achieve successful treatment. Nitrous oxide is the safest, most effective form of sedation to relieve your child's fears and ensure a positive experience.

Patient ready for nitrous oxide adminstration

 

What are the advantages of nitrous oxide?

• It's fast acting - Within minutes of administration, your stress will be transformed into a sensation of smoothing relaxation and pain-killing properties develop after 2 or 3 minutes..
• Your depth of sedation can be adjusted easily - The depth of nitrous oxide sedation can be adjusted to quickly achieve your optimal level of relaxation. Other sedation techniques don’t allow for this. For example, with IV sedation, it’s easy to deepen the level of sedation, but difficult to lessen it.
• Recovery time is short - In just 3 to 5 minutes after the flow of nitrous oxide is stopped (100% Oxygen flush), the effects completely disappear from your system. In fact, nitrous oxide is the only form of sedation that has no lasting after-effects that impair your ability to drive. You will simply feel refreshed and ready to go about your daily activities.
• Certain procedures can be done without local anaesthesia – those that usually involved the gums such as deep cleaning. Nitrous oxide acts as a painkiller on soft tissues such as gums. However, its pain-relieving effects vary a lot from person to person and can’t be relied upon.
• Very safe - Inhalation sedation has very few side effects and the drugs used have no ill effects on the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, or brain.
• Reduce gagging - Inhalation sedation can be very effective in eliminating or at least minimizing severe gagging.

Monitoring the oxygen level and the hearth rate throughout the procedure will make gas sedation a safe procedure

 

Disadvantages of nitrous oxide?

• Not comfortable with laughing gas - Some patients might afraid they might 'lose control' and some actually feel nauseous when inhaling nitrous oxide which are quite rare and usually due to over-sedation.
• Inadequate of sedation - Some people will not achieve adequate sedation with permissible levels of oxygen.
• Not comfortable with nasal mask - If you can’t breathe through your nose (either because you’re a pure mouth breather, or because your nose is blocked), or you feel too claustrophobic when something is put over your nose, it can’t be used.

 

Contraindications of nitrous oxide

• Significant respiratory compromise
• Upper respiratory tract infection
• Conditions related to vitamin B12 deficiency
• Nitrous oxide is relatively contraindicated in pregnancy

Patient felt warm and slight euphoria during dental treatment under gas sedation

 

What does it feel like?

The most common sensations that patients experience are:

• tingling of hands and feet
• a general feeling of warmth
• numbness of your legs, tongue and oral tissues
• a ringing sensation or droning sound
• feelings of euphoria
• feelings of heaviness or lightness

If you feel nauseous while breathing nitrous oxide, please inform the dentist immediately so that the level can be adjusted.
Not everyone enjoys the feeling of nitrous oxide. If you feel uncomfortable at any time while breathing nitrous oxide, you can discontinue it at once by breathing deeply through your mouth. Be sure to let the dentist know so that the gas can be turned off.

 

Before taking nitrous oxide:

1. Do not eat or drink anything for 2 hours prior to your appointment. Otherwise you may feel nauseous or vomit during treatment.
2. Inform us of any changes to your medical history or any medications you are presently taking.
3. Use the restroom before your dental procedure.

 

Is nitrous oxide right for me?

Please discuss the possibility of nitrous oxide conscious sedation with us. It may be just the solution you or your child have been waiting for. If you have any questions regarding the use of nitrous oxide, feel free to discuss it with our dentist or email us at enquiry@prestige-dental-care.com.my.