With these new veneer options, make sure you know the right cementation techniques to get durable, aesthetic results.
Veneer restorations used to be relatively straightforward – that’s not to say simple! But you would use one set of materials to clean, prime, apply a bonding agent and cement before placement.
This is still, essentially, the same process – but veneer materials have evolved to include popular, durable options like zirconia or other composite materials. Increasingly, these options are designed for fast lab or even in-house additive manufacturing (3D printing). This can reduce costs and time – both the time to manufacture your patients’ veneers and, potentially, their chair time.
Here’s what you should know about your veneer material to help you navigate and perform better veneer restorations.
What’s It Made Of?
There’s no reason to be snobby about faster or less expensive options for veneers, as long as you know you’re not sacrificing quality.
Some new 3D printed veneers are getting positive feedback in clinical studies and others have just received FDA clearance.
Considering a new veneer material? Whether it’s thinner and more aesthetically pleasing or made from a more durable option like zirconia (or both!), you need to understand how the material itself responds to various cleaning agents, adhesives and cements.
Otherwise, you risk poor outcomes like veneers cracking or falling off, or just a poor aesthetic appearance (often the main motivator for these restorations).
Here are the main veneer material options:
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Porcelain: The gold standard and most natural-looking veneers on the market
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Lithium-disilicate: Another widely used glass ceramic
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Zirconia: Very durable, with the flexibility for thinner, aesthetic applications
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3D Printing (Resin): Also very durable, typically close to natural tooth layer
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Composites: Good for those with existing dental work; fewer visits and lower cost
This last category is probably what you’re most likely to find when ordering materials online. This is where due diligence comes in. Many composites have not been rigorously tested, meaning that while they minimize costs up front, they may only last a few years even with the best restorative protocols.
Not sure what category your material falls into? Reach out to your lab or your resin supplier to request details before you start to use it in restorations.
Which Products Will Work?
Once you know what you’re working with, you need to identify the right materials for proper cleaning and preparation, bonding agents (if needed), the curing process and finally cementation.
Particularly with zirconia, it’s critical to understand the right preparation for these veneers to form a strong, long-lasting bond. Improper cleaning leads to contamination, which reduces the areas where strong bonds can form.
Know whether you need an alkaline solution such as ZirClean® or if phosphoric acid or alcohol will suffice. Throughout the priming, bonding and cementation process, make sure your products contain the MDP monomer for the strongest, most durable bond.
For your primer, if you’re working with porcelain or another material that contains silane, you have a range of options, from specific products like Bis-Silane™ or Porcelain Primer™to universal primers. Choose a primer that’s compatible with your bonding agent – again, you can choose from porcelain-based or compatible universal options.
When it comes to cement, retention (whether you need an additional bonding agent) is one of several factors that can determine your cement choice, including:
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Long-term physical properties
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Color predictability
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Ease of clean-up
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Compatibility with the restoration material
Self-adhesive or dual-cure resin cements can work well and are popular for full-coverage restorations because of their simplicity and predictable results. This may be a good option if you perform veneer restorations infrequently and don’t need a dedicated veneer cement or need a “quick fix” solution for a veneer that has been damaged or fallen off. Before opting to use a self-adhesive or dual-cured resin cement for veneer cementation, be sure to consult the manufacturer's instructions for use.
Light-cure cements such as Choice™ 2 are often used because of their longer working time, strength, predictable clean-up, and aesthetic considerations like shade stability. These are also typically recommended for less retentive preparations that require an adhesive agent like All-Bond Universal® between the tooth and crown.
Keep in mind that veneer cementation cases may involve the placement of other restorations such as crowns, bridges, inlays, or onlays. In the case of incorporating restorations other than veneers, TheraCem®,which is both calcium-releasing and transitions to an alkaline pH*, may be a good choice.
What’s Next?
BISCO developed all the products mentioned here to address restorative challenges brought to us by customers and colleagues – both specific to veneer procedures and as versatile solutions across common restoration challenges. With the growing availability of new, convenient veneer material options, we’re hard at work identifying protocols and restorative products to ensure the best possible results.
Perform Your Best Dentistry
Speak with a BISCO expert about the right products to perform beautiful, durable veneer restorations, every time.
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