Dental veneers

Imagine a dental veneer as a very thin, custom-made „shell“ or „mask“ that is permanently attached to the front, visible side of the tooth. Its main purpose is aesthetic correction. Veneers can effectively and elegantly disguise a variety of imperfections and give teeth a completely new, more attractive appearance. They are made of either ceramic (porcelain) or special composite resins, with each material having its own specific properties, advantages and indications.

Veneers are designed to perfectly mimic the appearance of natural tooth enamel, including its color, shine and subtle translucency (translucency). The result is a smile that looks completely natural, but is also flawless. At Dobrý Dent, we place great emphasis on individuality – each veneer is carefully planned and made to harmoniously match the patient’s other teeth, facial shape, and overall expression.

Dental veneers are an excellent option for solving a wide range of aesthetic problems of the front teeth. The most common reasons why patients choose this treatment include:

• Unwanted tooth discoloration: If teeth are internally stained (e.g. after an injury, root canal treatment, use of certain medications in childhood) and cannot be effectively whitened, veneers can perfectly unify the color and lighten it to the desired shade.
• Damage to tooth enamel: Small cracks, chipped edges or wear of the enamel caused by age or teeth grinding (bruxism) can be elegantly covered with veneers.
• Unsightly gaps between teeth (diastema): Veneers can slightly widen the teeth and thus close unwanted gaps, creating a continuous and harmonious dental arch.
• Mild positional anomalies Teeth: In some cases of slightly crooked or rotated teeth, veneers can be a faster alternative to orthodontic treatment (braces) to achieve a straighter appearance.
• Improper tooth shape or size: Too small, short, or otherwise misshapen teeth can be optically enlarged, lengthened, and given ideal proportions with veneers.
• Old, unsightly, or stained fillings: If there are extensive or aesthetically unsightly fillings on the front teeth, a veneer can cover the entire surface of the tooth and provide a uniform and natural appearance.

It is important to emphasize that veneers are primarily an aesthetic solution. Before their application, the teeth and gums must be healthy. Our specialists at Dobrý Dent will always perform a thorough examination, including the possible use of 3D CBCT X-ray for detailed visualization of structures, to ensure that veneers are the most appropriate and safest choice for your situation.

When deciding on dental veneers, choosing the right material is key. There are basically two main types:

Ceramic (porcelain) veneers

Ceramic veneers are considered the gold standard in cosmetic dentistry, and for good reason. They are made of highly durable and aesthetically perfect ceramics in a dental laboratory based on precise impressions or digital scans of your teeth.

• Benefits:
  • Excellent aesthetics: Ceramics perfectly imitate the properties of natural enamel – its shine, color, translucency and surface texture. The results are often indistinguishable from your own teeth.
  • Color fastness: Ceramics are highly resistant to staining from coffee, tea, red wine and smoking. Your smile will retain its radiant color for many years.
  • High resistance and durability: With proper care, ceramic veneers can last 10, 15 or more years. They are strong and wear-resistant.
  • Biocompatibility: Ceramics are very well tolerated by the tissues in the mouth and do not irritate the gums.
• Disadvantages:
  • Higher price: Laboratory production and the quality of the material are reflected in the higher price compared to composite veneers.
  • Need for tooth preparation: In most cases, it is necessary to lightly grind a thin layer of enamel (usually 0.3 – 0.7 mm) from the front of the tooth so that the veneer fits perfectly and does not appear too bulky. This step is irreversible. At Dobrý Dent, we perform the preparation with maximum care, often using an operating microscope to ensure absolute precision and minimal invasiveness.
  • Longer fabrication process: Requires at least two visits – one for preparation and impressions/scans and the second for the final placement of the veneers made in the laboratory. In the meantime, the patient wears temporary veneers.

At Dobrý Dent, we use a modern 3D intraoral scanner for impressions. This procedure is much more comfortable for the patient than traditional impression materials and at the same time guarantees maximum accuracy of the digital model, which is the basis for perfectly fitting and aesthetically perfect ceramic veneers.

Composite (direct) veneers

Composite veneers are fabricated directly in the patient’s mouth during a single visit. The doctor applies a special photocomposite resin (the same material used for white fillings) layer by layer to the surface of the tooth and gradually models it into the desired shape and size. Each layer is cured with a special light.

• Advantages:
  • Lower cost: They are more affordable than ceramic veneers.
  • Speed of fabrication: The entire process usually takes place in a single visit.
  • Minimally invasive: They often require minimal or no grinding of the tooth enamel (so-called „non-prep“ veneers). They are therefore gentler on dental tissues.
  • Easy repairability: If minor damage occurs (e.g. chipping), a composite veneer can be relatively easily repaired directly in the office.
• Disadvantages:
  • Less resistance to staining: Composite material is more susceptible to pigmentation from food and drinks than ceramics.
  • Lower durability: They usually last a shorter time than ceramic veneers (about 5-8 years), after which they may require repolishing or restoration.
  • Aesthetics: Although modern composite materials achieve very good aesthetic results, they usually do not achieve the naturalness, shine and translucency of high-end ceramics. The result also depends more on the skill and sensitivity of the doctor.
  • Susceptibility to wear: Composite is softer than ceramic and may wear slightly over time.

Our doctors at Dobrý Dent have extensive experience in modeling composite veneers and use only high-quality materials to achieve the best and most durable results with this variant.

The application of dental veneers, especially ceramic ones, is a precise process that requires careful planning and several steps. At Dobrý Dent, we make sure that the entire process is as pleasant, effective and with a perfect result for the patient as possible.

1. Introductory consultation and planning: It all starts with a thorough consultation. We will discuss your ideas, expectations and aesthetic goals. We will perform a comprehensive examination of the condition of your teeth and gums, take the necessary X-rays (including possible 3D CBCT for detailed analysis) and photographs. Together we will select the most suitable type of veneers (ceramic or composite), their shape, size and, above all, color, so that the result looks harmonious and natural. We often use digital visualization („digital smile design“) to better visualize the final appearance of your new smile in advance.
2. Tooth preparation (for ceramic veneers): If ceramic veneers are chosen and preparation is necessary, we will perform it with maximum care. As already mentioned, we often work under an operating microscope, which allows us to remove only the necessary minimum of tooth tissue (usually only tenths of a millimeter of enamel). The entire procedure is performed under local anesthesia, and for maximum patient comfort, we use the computer-controlled anesthesia STA system, which ensures painless application of anesthetic. For composite veneers, preparation is often not necessary at all.
3. Impressions or digital scans: After preparation (or without it for non-prep variants), we need to obtain an accurate model of your teeth. At Dobrý Dent, we prefer a modern 3D intraoral scanner. Scanning is fast, comfortable (no unpleasant impression materials in the mouth) and extremely accurate. The digital data is immediately sent to the dental laboratory (for ceramic veneers) or serves as a basis for direct modeling (for composite veneers).
4. Production of temporary veneers (for ceramic veneers): While the dental laboratory produces your final ceramic veneers (which usually takes 1-2 weeks), we will provide your prepared teeth with aesthetic temporary veneers. These protect your teeth and allow you to eat and smile normally.
5. Production of the final veneers:
   • Ceramic veneers: Experienced dental technicians in the laboratory precisely manufacture each veneer individually based on a digital model, with an emphasis on shape, color and surface details.
   • Composite veneers: The doctor models them directly on your teeth layer by layer, cures them with light and finally polishes them to a high shine during one visit.
6. Installation and fixation (cementation): Once the final ceramic veneers are ready, we will invite you for a second visit. First, we will carefully try on the veneers, checking their exact fit, shape, color and bite. If everything is perfect (and you are satisfied with the result), we remove the temporary veneers, specially prepare the tooth surface and firmly glue the final veneers using a special adhesive cement. We can again use the operating microscope to perfectly control the bonding process. After the cement has hardened, we remove excess material and perform final adjustments and polishing. This step is not necessary for composite veneers, as they are made and attached in one session.

We try to conduct the entire process with maximum consideration for your comfort and painlessness. Our modern equipment and experienced team guarantee a precise and aesthetically perfect result.

Dental veneers offer a number of significant advantages that contribute to their great popularity:

• Immediate and dramatic aesthetic transformation: Veneers can completely change the appearance of your smile in a relatively short time.
• Natural appearance: High-quality veneers, especially ceramic ones, are indistinguishable from your own teeth.
• High resistance and durability: Ceramic veneers in particular are very resistant to stains and wear and can last for many years.
• Minimally invasive solution: Compared to crowns, veneers require the removal of much less tooth tissue, sometimes none at all.
• Biocompatibility: The materials used (ceramics, high-quality composites) are very well tolerated by the body and do not irritate the surrounding tissue.
• Improving self-esteem: A beautiful smile has a positive effect on self-confidence and social interactions.
• Solving multiple problems at once: A single veneer can simultaneously correct the color, shape, and minor positioning of a tooth.

In order for your dental veneers to last as long as possible and maintain their beautiful appearance, proper care is essential, which is basically no different from taking care of your own teeth:

• Thorough oral hygiene: Regular brushing twice a day with a quality toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste is essential.
• Using interdental aids: Don’t forget to clean the spaces between your teeth daily with interdental brushes or dental floss. Plaque and food debris can also accumulate at the transition between the veneer and the tooth.
• Regular dental hygiene visits: Professional teeth cleaning at least twice a year will help remove tartar and pigmentation and keep your gums healthy. Our dental hygienists at Dobrý Dent are specially trained to care for teeth with veneers.
• Regular preventive check-ups: Visit our clinic for regular check-ups (usually every 6 months). The doctor will check the condition of the veneers, their marginal seal and the overall health of your mouth.
• Reducing risk factors: Avoid biting very hard objects (ice, nuts, hard candies, fingernails, pencils) that could damage or chip the veneer. If you suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding), it is advisable to use a protective splint at night.
• Caution when consuming staining foods (for composite veneers): If you have composite veneers, be more careful with consuming coffee, tea, red wine, curry and other strongly staining foods and drinks.

By following these guidelines, you can expect a long lifespan for your veneers. Ceramic veneers usually last 10 to 15 years, sometimes even longer. Composite veneers have a shorter lifespan, typically 5 to 8 years, but can be repaired or restored more easily.

Choosing a dental clinic for aesthetic treatments such as veneers is a key decision. At Dobrý Dent in Prague 5 (Anděl), we offer you a combination of factors that make us the ideal choice for your journey to a more beautiful smile:

• Experience and expertise: Our clinic has been providing top-notch dental care since 2010. Our team of doctors and specialists has extensive experience in the field of aesthetic dentistry and is constantly educating themselves in the latest procedures and technologies.
• Individual approach: Each patient is unique to us. We devote sufficient time to the consultation, listen to your wishes and design a treatment plan tailored exactly to your situation and aesthetic goals.
• Leading technologies: We invest in the most modern equipment that increases the accuracy, quality and comfort of treatment. We use:
  • Operating microscope: For maximum precision in tooth preparation and veneer placement.
  • 3D intraoral scanner: For comfortable and highly accurate digital impressions without unpleasant materials.
  • 3D CBCT X-ray: For detailed diagnostics and planning where needed.
  • Computer-controlled anesthesia STA (The Wand): For painless application of local anesthesia.
• Quality materials: We use only proven, certified and high-quality ceramic and composite materials from renowned global manufacturers, which guarantee long life and excellent aesthetics.
• Comprehensive care under one roof: We offer a wide range of dental services, from preventive care and dental hygiene, through restorative and aesthetic dentistry to endodontics, periodontics and implantology. You can have all the necessary procedures comfortably in one place.
• Modern and pleasant environment: Our clinic at Jindřicha Plachty 535/16 in Prague 5 – Smíchov (near Anděl) is designed so that you feel comfortable and relaxed with us.
• Focus on patient comfort and safety: Your comfort and safety are our top priority. We ensure that the procedures are painless and that the strictest hygiene standards are adhered to.

If you are considering dental veneers and are looking for top-notch care in Prague, do not hesitate to contact us. At Dobrý Dent, we are ready to provide you with all the information, answer your questions, and suggest a solution that will give you the smile you have always wanted.

Regain your self-confidence and the joy of smiling with the help of dental veneers from the experts at Dobrý Dent!