Dental veneers or dental porcelain laminates are wafer thing, custom made shells that are designed to literally cover the tooth. They are bonded over existing teeth, changing the tooth’s colour, shape, size or length. They are primarily used for cosmetic purposes, resulting in an improved and more confident smile.
When are dental laminates used?
Veneers are an important tool for the cosmetic dentist, to boost the self-confidence and self-esteem of an individual. The uses of veneers encompass:
- To restore a single tooth that may have been fractured or discoloured,
- Smile designing where multiple teeth are veneered to create a “Hollywood” type of makeover.
- To close the small spaces between the teeth that may not be easily closed by orthodontics.
- To restore and lengthen the worn away edges of their teeth resulting in a prematurely aged appearance,
- Instant orthodontics to align the malpositioned or crooked teeth, in case some one doesnot have time to undergo lengthy orthodontic treatment,
- To fill the black triangles between teeth caused by gum recession,
- To provide a uniform colour, shape, and symmetry to the teeth,
- To restore the defects on the labial surface of teeth.
advantages of dental laminates
laminates create a very life-like tooth appearance
You might be surprised to learn that while a large portion of every tooth is composed of dental enamel, teeth are not solid enamel. The enamel component of a tooth is actually just an outer encasement. The hard tooth tissue that lies underneath a tooth’s enamel layer is termed “dentin.”
Tooth enamel is translucent. One property of tooth enamel is that it’s translucent. This means that when light strikes a tooth’s surface it is not immediately reflected off, but instead penetrates into its enamel layer. Once the light has passed through the full thickness of the enamel it reflects off the opaque (non-translucent) tooth dentin that lies underneath, and then on back out of the tooth. This manner of handling light, the translucency effect of a tooth’s enamel, is an important aspect of what give teeth their characteristic lustrous appearance.
In the past the only cosmetic dental bonding materials that dentists had available to them were just semi-translucent. This meant that most of the light that struck a repaired tooth would not penetrate into the bonding but instead be reflected off its outer surface. The net result was that while the bonding did give the tooth an improved appearance, there was no sense of translucency (luster).
Dental laminates are translucent. Since porcelain veneers are glass-like in nature (ceramic) they have a great advantage over other cosmetic bonding techniques by way of the fact that they are translucent. When a Dental laminates is bonded onto a tooth’s surface it will closely mimic the light handling characteristics of dental enamel.
When light strikes the surface of a veneered tooth it can penetrate on into the veneer’s porcelain, just like it does with dental enamel. Once it has traversed the full thickness of the porcelain the light will reflect off the opaque cement and tooth dentin that lies underneath the veneer, and then on back out of the tooth. This translucency effect of the porcelain creates a lustrous appearance for the tooth that very closely resembles the appearance of enamel.
Dental laminates resist staining
As a group, cosmetic dental bonding materials have the shortcoming of being susceptible to staining and discoloring. This is especially true when they are used in conjunction with individuals whose consumption habits include the use of tea, coffee and tobacco products.
A significant advantage of placing dental laminates as opposed to cosmetic dental bonding is that a dental laminates’s surface is just that, porcelain. Since porcelain is a ceramic, and therefore glass-like, a veneer’s porcelain surface will be extremely stain resistant.
Dental laminates procedure
Good Planning Paves The Way
There’s a lot of diagnostic work and careful planning that goes into a treatment plan that includes veneers. Models, photographs, and digital x-rays allow you and Dentist to create a perfect blueprint to guide your treatment from start to finish. Like all successful projects, this planning can’t be compromised. Dentist will consider your input and incorporate your desires into your veneer case, from color to shape and everything in between.
Dental preparation
Once Dentist plans your case, it will take around two appointments before you leave with a stunning new smile. At the first visit, the teeth are gently prepared to allow space for the ultra-thin porcelain to be crafted by a master lab technician.
Dentist will create temporary acrylic restorations that mimic the veneers, which you’ll wear for up to three weeks. These temporaries provide a preview of the general appearance of your new smile and lets you see try it out to see if any further changes are needed.
Delivering The Magic
During your next visit, your temporary veneers will be removed, and you will try on your final veneers for fit and comfort. Occasionally, this may require several visits to perfect the fit, bite, shape, colour and contours of your final veneers.
Once you are completely happy with the appearance, fit and feel of your veneers, they will be permanently bonded to your teeth. Bonding is a painless procedure where etching gel is applied to the surface of the tooth. This is then rinsed off thoroughly before applying a bonding adhesive. After the bonding process, your new smile will be complete.
Caring for Your dental Laminates
Just like the teeth nature gave you, teeth restored with veneers need gentle brushing and flossing every day. This will remove dental plaque and ensure good gum tissue health around the veneers. Regular checkups at the dental office will remain as important as always to your oral and general health. And keep in mind that as tough as veneers are, they may not be able to withstand forces that come from using your teeth as tools (to open packages, for example) or biting into very hard foods like candy apples — which isn’t good for your natural teeth, either! And if you grind or clench your teeth at night, you might be advised to get a custom-made nightguard to protect your veneers — and your investment.
Faq
Are dental laminates an alternative to braces?
Depending on the age of the patient, laminates can be used to create a straight, white smile. Sometimes braces, or orthodontics, would be a preferable choice of treatment. A dentist can help you decide which option is better. laminates normally can be done in a much quicker time frame than orthodontics. Veneers usually take a few weeks, while braces are usually worn for several years. Orthodontics can only change the alignment of teeth. Porcelain veneers can change alignment, as well as the shape and color of the teeth, creating a dazzling smile.
Once laminates are placed, are there any restrictions on the patient?
Patients who receive dental laminates are told to live their lives normally. They are told to care for their new smile with good oral hygiene and regular recall visits at the dental office to keep the teeth and gums healthy. That is the best way to keep the veneers in great shape. Basically, there are no restrictions once the veneers are placed. Common sense will help veneers to stay on forever.
What is the cost of dental laminates?
dental laminates can be somewhat expensive, but patients who have had the procedure feel it was worth the cost. Having a gorgeous smile greatly improves one’s confidence and self-esteem. Each case is different, and the cost will vary with the complexity of the case.
Will much of my teeth have to be ground down?
Some advertising creates the false impression that placing dental laminate requires that your teeth be “ground down”. It would be more accurate to say that your teeth are shaved a little. The amount of reduction is minimal and doesn’t damage the teeth.
