Dental Veneers: A Consumer's Guide

By Caelen King

Veneers are one of the most effect ways of creating the "perfect smile". Not only can they be used to provide a bright smile, they can also fix chipping, uneven or spaced teeth.

Veneers have the added advantage of requiring only small amount of preparation, making them very attractive to the dental tourist. However they are one of the more expensive cosmetic dentistry procedures.

A veneer is a thin layer of material, usually porcelain or plastic that is placed over the front teeth to change their shape and colour. Significant improvements in the appearance of individual teeth can be achieved with minor tooth preparation.

You might need veneers if:

• Your teeth are badly stained and tooth whitening is not an option
• Your teeth are chipped or have small holes in them
• Your teeth have an odd appearance (such as being unevenly spaced)
• You need a crown but veneers can often be a good alternative

Things to watch out for:

• If you grind or clench as this can break veneers.
• Only getting a few veneers as matching colours with your existing teeth can be very difficult.
• Your lips stick out. Although veneers are very thin they will have an effect on pushing out your lips further.
• If you have an under bite this may chip the veneers on the upper teeth.

The first stage of the procedure is to prepare the teeth. This normally involves reducing them very slightly to allow for the veneer to sit correctly. A mould is then taken and sent for fabrication to a laboratory.

In this instance, you should be provided with temporary veneers, which should give you a good idea of the eventual outcome. In some case the dentist may be able to create the veneers in the surgery.

At the second visit, your dentist will check the veneers that have come back from the laboratory and adjust them as appropriate to achieve the best fit and colour.

Composite

This can often be performed in a single visit to the dentist and are therefore an appealing option for the dental tourist. Composite veneers typically last between 5 and 7 years.

Porcelain

A very thin layer of porcelain is bonded to the teeth. Porcelain veneers require two visits as the veneers need to be fabricated in a laboratory. Porcelain veneers typically last 10 to 15 years.

Lumineer Porcelain

This is a new type of porcelain veneers and is made out of cerinate porcelain. They are incredible thin and require the least amount (sometime none at all) of tooth reduction to fit them and often there is no need for any anaesthetic. These veneers typically require two visits.

What affects the price:

• The number of veneers you are getting.
• The type of veneer.
• The amount of preparatory work required.
• The dentist selected.

Price lists should always be viewed with caution as many factors can increase or decrease the resulting price. The follow list gives some indicative costs for porcelain veneers across the world.

• USA: $1500 / €1100 / £750
• UK: $1000 / €750 / £500
• Hungary: $540 / €400 / £270
• Poland: $430 / €380 / £215
• Belgium: $800 / €600 / £400
• Mexico: $400 / €300 / £200
• Costa Rica: $400 / €300 / £200
• Thailand: $200 / €150 / £100

Veneers are a simple and cost effective way of fixing aesthetic defects in teeth. Remember, you should always consult with your own dentist and get their professional opinion before deciding on a course of treatment.

About the Author:

Caelen King is founder and CEO of Reva Health Network, a medical tourism search engine allowing customers to search and compare treatments and prices around the world and to arrange a no commitment direct consultation with their chosen clinic.

Article courtesy of www.goarticles.com.