Switzerland has been famous for its watches and chocolate for hundreds of years. And for some time now, even with its smiles. And not just because happy people live here. Swiss dentists just know how to make a beautiful smile with veneers without damaging the enamel of the teeth. Our regular interlocutor, Dr. Michael Meier, shared the details with us.
— Veneers are very thin custom-made ceramic shells for your teeth. They are as thin as contact lenses.
— Usually, we can place veneers on teeth without drilling or shortening them. It’s a rare skill, and we are very thankful that our technicians have this know-how.
— We didn’t develop the technique, but our technicians are specialists in the installation of non-prep veneers. These are not the standard press-ceramic veneers. Each layer of ceramic is applied individually. Our technicians are all over 55 years old, with many years of experience and the highest qualifications.
— For example, when colour correction is necessary, but it’s important not to go too far: otherwise, you will have that unnatural porcelain smile, with a blue hue. My team and I always recommend a more natural look. Also, veneers can correct tooth angulation, adapt tooth length, and brighten one’s smile.
— If we don’t have to drill the teeth, they last 15–20 years.
— First, we create the first set and try them on because it is like a haute couture dress. Then we adapt the veneers to the particular client, taking into consideration his or her wishes. And then we manufacture the final set.
— Same as always: visit your dental hygienist every six months and floss.
— We usually cover 10–12 teeth on each jaw.
— No. With veneers, we can correct all the flaws – shape, angle, length – not only the colour, and also we can create a wider smile.
— There are no age restrictions, but we mostly suggest veneers for more mature patients. Young people nowadays have healthy and almost perfect teeth. We mostly treat people who are over 50 years old. They want their teeth to be visible again, they might be after a lighter colour, a brighter, wider smile. When the teeth are visible again, your smile makes you look younger. A lighter colour and a wider smile create an appealing look.
— Yes, of course. Ground teeth can be built up. Chipped teeth can be straightened. With veneers, you can achieve most aesthetic corrections.
— Indeed, we do make them very thin, but they will be very strong as long as we glue them directly to the enamel, so there’s no need for drilling. Imagine a glass plate on the floor. It can be easily picked up, but if you put some water underneath it, it becomes almost impossible to pick up because of the ‘pull’. But of course, I wouldn’t recommend opening beer bottles with them!
— The bite can also be corrected — in this case, we need ‘tabletop’ ceramic shells with a certain thickness.
— Yes. You choose how they should look. Every set is made according to the patient’s wishes and manufactured individually. I myself like transparency. Young teeth are transparent. Reflections in the right spots are also important for a natural and youthful look.
Michael Meier
He graduated from the Medical and Dental Faculty of Zurich University in 1998 and 2002. He worked in the General Internal Medicine Department in the Zug Canton Hospital and was a research member of the Forensic Medicine Institute of Zurich University for about three years. He worked as an Assistant Doctor in the Dental Center of Zurich from 2002 to 2006. Since 2006 he has been engaged in private dental practice. In 2011 he became one of the founders and incorporators of the Pediatry Center KinderPermanence by Swiss Medi Kids Zürich AG. He is also the owner of the Dental Clinic Perfect Smile Ragaz GmbH of the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz medical center.
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