Direct composite veneers

Direct composite veneers are a cheaper alternative to other types of veneers such as porcelain veneers and no-prep veneers, e.g. lumineers and thineers. They are made from a combination of materials which reduces the cost and makes them an affordable alternative.

What is a direct composite veneer?

This type of veneer is produced from more than one type of material which means that they tend to be cheaper as well.

This veneer is also known as direct composite bonding.

Advantages of direct composite veneers

There are few benefits of this veneer. They are a good choice if you have a small crack or chip in a tooth as they will hide this nicely as well as protecting the rest of the tooth.

Plus they are a good option for anyone on a budget.

Disadvantages of direct composite veneers

There are more disadvantages than advantages of this type of veneer.

They may be cheaper but they are not as durable as other types of veneers which mean that they will have to be replaced more often. So, you may end up paying more than if you have purchased the ceramic, no-prep or porcelain veneers.

Typically, a direct composite veneer lasts no more than 2 years.

Plus they are more prone to staining or discolouration than other veneers. Their relative weakness means that they are more likely to break or fall off your tooth and they are not as natural looking as the other types of veneers.

This is an important consideration if you are looking for a pearly white smile.

How are direct composite veneers fitted?

They are usually fitted in two stages:

Stage 1

Stage 1 is the ‘preparation stage’ in that the dentist will reshape your tooth with a small drill so that they are ready to receive the veneer.

This takes the form of shaving off a small piece of your tooth – under a local anaesthetic. The tooth is then considered the correct size and shape for the veneer. The idea is that once the veneer is fitted it will look indistinguishable from your natural teeth.

A model or ‘impression’ is taken of your teeth via a mould which is sued to fabricate a set of veneers. These veneers are created at a dental laboratory. You will be given temporary veneers to wear until these are ready.

Stage 2

The second stage is where the veneer itself is fitted. The dentist will fit your new veneers over your teeth and will check this fitting. These are then removed.

He or she will then clean your teeth before scraping the surface of them with an acidic substance (gel) which will help to secure them in position.

The dentist then attached the veneers again to your teeth before fixing them in place with dental cement. This process is speeded up by means of a ‘curing light’ which causes the cement to harden and secure both the veneer and tooth together.

The dentist will wipe away any excess cement and other substances before giving your teeth a last minute polish.