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| Dark stain teeth |
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| Laminate veneers |
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| A thin dental veneer |
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Say “Cheese!”
If you cringe any time you have your picture taken because you are not happy with your smile, a knight in shining armor is on the way to your rescue. Many dentists now have an incredible technology that can give you a beautiful smile and restore your confidence.
Recently, companies have created a new material for a tooth-covering system that is radically different from the old material. You may have heard the term “instant orthodontics,” which is another way to say "laminate veneers."
What is a laminate veneer?
Laminate veneer refers to a thin material that covers another material. For example, plywood that is used in constructing a building consists of a generic wood backing with a thin layer of decorative or grained wood bonded onto the top of the wood backing.
Are laminate veneers a new technology?
Actually, no. What is new is the field of cosmetic dentistry. Cosmetic dentistry was born when acrylic (a type of plastic) was the laminate veneer material used in the early 1980s to give patients’ teeth instant improvement in appearance. Dentists discovered that there were drawbacks to using acrylic veneer. It did not last long—likely one year at best. Unfortunately, that meant that the patient would have to have crowns to cover the teeth.
Laminate veneer was improved in the mid-1980s with the use of a composite resin material. The material was made from a type of plastic combined with ceramic, but wasn’t much better than acrylic veneer. The material stained and loosened from the tooth surface.
In the late 1980s, porcelain veneer was made. Dentists combined whitening with a porcelain veneer to give patients an instant dazzling white smile. However, one of the problems with veneer was that it was not good at hiding a stained tooth underneath the veneer. Additional improvement to the technology in the 1990s remedied that undesirable result. The new method combined pressed ceramic and porcelain, which made it possible to add color to the veneer. Hiding teeth discolored by antibiotics, coffee, tea, etc. now was no longer a problem. New techniques also shortened the amount of time it took for the patient to gain a new smile. New veneers offer a way for dentists to transform an unpleasing smile into a radiant smile in 2-3 dentist visits instead of 1-3 years to straighten teeth.
Are there different kinds of laminate veneers?
Yes, there are several providers of veneers. The chart below lists some of the major advertising claims made by various manufacturers.
- Uses super thin sheets of porcelain
- Permanently whiten teeth
- No grinding or shaving
- Can be placed over crowns or bridges
- Clinically proven to last over 20 years
- Procedure is reversible
- Tooth surface slightly roughened for bonding
- May not need shots or drilling
- Pain free
- Bonding set with a curing light
- Hides stains on teeth
- Brightens teeth
- Resistant to stains
- Teeth look natural
- Can be used to correct slightly misaligned, crooked or rotated teeth (instant orthodontics)
- Used to repair chipped teeth and fill in gaps between teeth
- Takes 3 appointments: diagnosis and treatment planning, preparation and bonding
- Procedure is reversible
Why choose laminate veneers?
Unfortunately, Mother Nature did not give everyone a perfect smile. Smiles may show teeth with gaps between them, crooked teeth, and poorly shaped teeth. Also, injuries to teeth, stains from foods and beverages and certain antibiotics can discolor teeth. So much is based on our smile: a job or a personal relationship, for example. When we have a “pretty” smile, we feel more confident, and we like how we look. When we feel and look good, we project a confident self-image.
Laminate veneers are not for everyone. For some people, attaining that perfect smile can be a matter of 2-3 dentist visits; whereas, others who are not good candidates for this procedure may need to consider traditional braces.
Your dentist will determine if you are a good candidate for this procedure. Some factors the dentist looks for are a patient who
- is in good overall oral health
- understands the outcome possibilities
- genuinely wants to improve his/her appearance
- has realistic expectations of the outcome
You need to consult with your dentist to see if you are a candidate for this treatment.
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