PORCELAIN LAMINATE VENEERS

WHAT IS A PORCELAIN LAMINATE VENEER?

In dentistry a veneer is a thin layer of dental restorative material, usually porcelain that replaces enamel.

Porcelain laminate veneers are among the most esthetic means of creating a more pleasing and beautiful smile.

The esthetic appeal, durability and biocompability of Porcelain Laminate Veneers have made them an established option for restoring anterior teeth for almost three decades.

They were first introduced and described by Dr Charles Pincus in Hollywood in 1938 to enhance actor’s appearances for movie close-ups. He attached thin veneers temporarily using denture adhesive powder. The discoveries of the acid-etch technique, composite luting resin and silane-coupling agents have contributed to the success of porcelain veneers.

Porcelain Laminate Veneers are mainly used to optimize tooth form and position,, close diastemata, replace discolored or unesthetic composite resin restorations, restore teeth with incisal abrasions or tooth erosion and mask or reduce tooth discoloration.

They are a valid alternative to complete-coverage crowns since they avoid aggressive dental preparation, thus maintaining tooth structure.

WHAT PORCELAIN LAMINATE VENEERS CAN DO?

Porcelain veneers are mainly used to optimize tooth form and position, close diastemata, replace discolored or un esthetic composite resin restorations, restore teeth with incisal abrasions or tooth erosion, and mask or reduce tooth discolorations.

Correcting small or medium spaces between teeth

Imperfections in tooth position (e.g., slight rotations).

Poor color, poor shape or contours, as well as some minor occlusal (bite) related problems.

Porcelain veneers can allow for dramatic improvements for patients who have worn their teeth by bruxism (grinding of one’s teeth through habit patterns) or fractured teeth.

WHAT VENEERS CAN’T DO

There are situations that the technique cannot correct, such as:

Poor tooth position,

Large discrepancies in root position,

Poor bite relations and

Poor profile.

Many of these situations first require some form of orthodontics to move the teeth into proper position – for both function and aesthetics. This important diagnostic determination is critical and defines the “brilliance” of your dentist.

Porcelain veneers are an excellent form of tooth restoration, but as with any material used in the mouth, it does have limitations. There is no substitute for your dentist’s expertise and consideration.