Dental Veeners

 
Porcelain Laminate Veneers

Many times, the demands of cosmetic changes in the mouth are too great for simple bonding. This is when porcelain laminate veneers may be used.

Porcelain veneers (sometimes referred to as laminates) can change an entire smile. Porcelain laminate veneers are quick, painless and dramatic.


 

Porcelain Veneers Before

Porcelain Veneers  After


They can change shape, color, size, and arrangement of teeth or any combination of these factors.

They can be used as an alternative for orthodontic treatment. The best part about porcelain laminate veneers is that they can be placed in two visits.

The technique consists of first shaving a thin layer of outer tooth structure (about the thickness of an eggshell). An impression is then taken of the prepared teeth and is sent to a dental laboratory.

In the lab, a ceramist will make very thin porcelain facings consisting of all the changes in shape, size, color and teeth arrangement that are needed to have a great looking smile.

At the second visit, the laminates are bonded onto the prepared teeth with a white light gun.

The bonding material acts as an adhesive for the laminates. Porcelain laminates are the most popular technique used for dramatic smile makeovers
 

When teeth are chipped or slightly decayed, bonded composite resins may be the material of choice.

Bonding is applied to a tooth via a light gun. First, the tooth structure is cleaned and etched. Then a clear adhesive is applied to the area needing bonding.
 

Once applied, a tooth colored bonding material is placed on the tooth. It is permanently hardened and fused to the tooth with a hand held white light gun.

This process is called photo curing. Bonding makes a great tooth colored filling for small cavities and broken or chipped surfaces. It can also be used to close spaces between teeth.

Additionally, it is used to cover the entire outside surface of a tooth to change its color and shape.

For the latter two applications, bonding has its limits. It may not be strong enough, aesthetic enough, or durable enough for certain individual situations.

When these problems occur, the next choice would be porcelain laminate veneers.