Dental contact lenses, as they are popularly known, are the resin or porcelain veneers that can be placed on the teeth by the dentist to improve smile harmony, giving teeth aligned, white and well adjusted, with durability of 10 to 15 years.
These facets in addition to improving beauty, also help minimize tooth wear and accumulate less plaque, improving hygiene and oral health.
The facets should only be placed by the specialist dentist and can not be repaired if they crack or break and it is necessary to replace each damaged facet. The price varies according to the type of facets chosen, ranging from 200 to 700 reais for resin or about 2, 000 reais for porcelain.
When it is
The dental facets can be used in several cases, and therefore it is indicated for:
- To approach the teeth that are separated from each other, scientifically called diastema;
- When the teeth are very small in adults;
- Improve the appearance of teeth that are broken or damaged by cavities;
- Harmonize the size of the teeth;
- Change the color of teeth that can be stained or darkened by several factors.
Facets can be applied to only one tooth or the whole dental arcade of the person, however an evaluation of the dentist during a consultation is necessary to know if it is possible to put this type of 'contact lens on the teeth' or not because this technique can not be used on all people.
Resin or porcelain veneers: advantages and disadvantages
There are two different types of dental facets, the composite resin facet and the porcelain facet. Here are the differences between them:
| Resin facet | Porcelain facet |
| Only 1 dental appointment | Two or more dental appointments |
| More economical | More expensive |
| No mold required | Needs mold and temporary adjustments |
| It is less resistant | It is more resistant and has excellent durability |
| Can stain and lose color | Never changes color |
| Can not be repaired and should be replaced if damaged. | Can be repaired |
| You have more possibility of exit | It is more fixed and does not come out easily |
| Price: From $ 200 to $ 700 each facet of resin | Price: from R $ 1.400 to R $ 2 thousand each facet of porcelain |
Before applying the facets to the teeth the dentist can indicate consultations to repair damaged teeth by eliminating cavities, tartar and improve the alignment of the teeth through the use of orthodontic appliances, for example. However, in people who have a good dental occlusion, when the teeth are well aligned and when no factors are found that must be solved before the facets are applied, the dentist can perform the application of resin facets in just one query.
If the person chooses porcelain veneers, at least 2 or 3 consultations may be necessary to prepare veneers, which may make the entire procedure a bit more expensive. However, the porcelain veneers are much more durable, which may be better in the long run.
Who should not put
This procedure is contraindicated when the dentist visualizes that the person does not have a good oral hygiene and is at high risk of having cavities and also in the following cases:
- When the teeth are weak and devitalized and may fall;
- When there is dental malocclusion, which occurs when the teeth of the upper dental arch do not all rest on the lower teeth;
- When there are overlapping teeth;
- When there is a decrease in tooth enamel, by factors such as the use of baking soda in an intense and exaggerated way to clean or try to whiten teeth at home.
Also, it is not recommended that people who have teeth grinding at night, a conduction called bruxism, and also those who have bad habits such as nail gnawing or pencils and pens put the dental contact lenses.
Care to keep the smile handsome
After putting the facets on the teeth, getting a beautiful smile, clear and aligned care must be taken to avoid risk of damage facets. Some important care is:
- Brush your teeth when you wake up, after meals and before bed every day;
- Use mouthwash after each brushing;
- Floss the dental floss between your teeth before brushing at least once a day and whenever you feel the need;
- Go at least once a year at the dentist for an evaluation visit;
- Do not chew the nails and tips of the pencils or pens;
- If you notice wakes with jaw pain or headache go to the dentist because you may be having bruxism and it is necessary to use a sleeping bite plate to not damage the facets. Understand this disease by clicking here.
- If you have a toothache, you should go to the dentist immediately to assess the cause of the pain and start the appropriate treatment;
- One should avoid foods that can harm or darken your teeth like dark teas, chocolate and coffee. However, a good solution to this is to take a sip of water after consuming some of these drinks and brushing your teeth after eating chocolate.
In addition, whenever you notice a change in color or the presence of cracks in the facets you should go to the dentist to repair the facet so that the tooth is not further impaired because these small cracks can allow the entry of cavities that can damage the teeth, being hard to see due to facet cover.
