Porcelain Veneers

10/30/08
By Dr. Cook

Thanks to reality television shows specializing in extreme makeovers of every description, there has been an increase in the interest in porcelain veneers as a means of creating that glistening smile. Some people even come into the dental office asking for certain laboratory-produced veneers as if they were brand names. Basically, porcelain veneers are very thin (0.5mm to 1.0mm), custom-made restorations, which are cemented onto individual front teeth to change the shape and/or the color of the teeth to create a more esthetic, cosmetically-pleasing smile. Some type of veneer process has been used in dentistry since the late 1960’s. The first veneers were made of composite resin, or white filling material, using a pre-made celluloid matrix cut to fit the tooth or, more frequently, just sculpted free-hand by the dentist. Now they have evolved to very thin, delicate flakes of porcelain, custom-made for each tooth by a skilled lab technician. These tiny, fragile pieces of art are then cemented to the tooth with very specialized cements developed solely for that purpose. The positive side of this reality trend is that people have become more aware of the look of their teeth and what modern dentistry can do for them. The media has done a great job of educating the public as to what is available and that these procedures really are possible for them. Unfortunately, the reality show trend has also created the idea that porcelain veneers are the treatment of choice for every dental problem and that every patient could benefit from them. Careful treatment planning and case selection are necessary to ensure a successful porcelain veneer case.
Porcelain veneers are perhaps the most beautiful, life-like restorations dentistry has ever produced. However, they are extremely fragile and prone to breakage or even complete loss if placed under too much stress. Teeth that have little or no previous decay are the best candidates for porcelain veneers. In cases of a heavy bite, wear, or teeth that have had many previous fillings, full crowns may be a better choice. R
ecently a long-standing dental manufacturer and supplier named Den-Mat has begun marketing a product called "Lumineers" directly to the public. The attractive aspect of "Lumineers" to both patient and doctor is that there is no tooth preparation involved. That means no injections, no tooth preparation, no temporaries, just an impression to capture the shape of your teeth, and then the "Lumineers" are applied to the front of the existing tooth. Sounds great, right?? The catch is that teeth are contoured naturally to be in harmony with the gum tissues. In most cases, if thickness or bulk is added to the front of a tooth, it creates an unhealthy situation for the gum around that tooth. The result can be red, bleeding, irritated tissue around the new veneers. The important lesson is that veneers are not a quick fix for every dental situation, even if it is "as seen on television." Only you and your dentist, after careful consideration, can determine a cosmetic treatment plan for you that will be beautiful, healthy, and long-lasting.