Better is impossible, why?
- Veneers provide the best aesthetic results
- Veneers require very little dental preparation (sometimes none at all) and only on the front part of the tooth (unlike traditional Fixed Prosthesis techniques that are much more invasive).
- Veneers have excellent integration at the gingiva level
- Veneers last for 15 to 20 years.
From all Oral Rehabilitation and Cosmetic Dentistry tecnhiques, Porcelain or Ceramic Veneers are by far my favorite one and I use whenever the case allows it.
It is, however, a very demanding technique, both for the Dentist and for the Laboratory technician (ceramist), not admitting mistakes. You should always choose a Dentist with extensive experience in this area (ask to see before and after photos of some of their Porcelain Veneers cases). This is a very specific area of Cosmetic Dentistry, which is mastered by few Dentists, as it is not part of basic training and the Dentist himself has to invest in his postgraduate training (usually quite expensive).
What are Porcelain/ Ceramic Veneers?
Porcelain veneers have been around for many years and were made possible thanks to the dental bonding technique that revolutionized our practice. Very thin ceramic structures (contact lens type) are created, so delicate that only a first-class ceramist can, after many hours of work, create the new shape and color of the tooth.
When they are ready, it’s time to try them on and, if everything is fine according with the Dentist and the Patient, proceed with their placement. This is the most sensitive phase for the Dentist: the adhesion of the ceramic to the enamel has to be perfect or else the Porcelain Veneers will definitely fall off! If everything goes as it should, the Porcelain Veneers will be chemically bonded to the enamel, remaining attached to the tooth and becoming part of it.
What are the indications of Porcelain Veneers?
1. Tooth color correction.
2. Tooth shape/size correction.
3. Tooth fractures.
4. Closure of spaces (diastema) between teeth.
5. Dental alignment without braces.
6. Smile rejuvenation.
7. Enamel replacement in cases of tooth wear, etc.
Ana’s case – Porcelain veneers: Better is impossible!
In Ana’s (fiction name) case we dealt with changes in shape, size, correction of crowding and closure of a space left by the lack of a canine.
Ana, 33 years old, didn’t like her smile and wanted to know what could be done.
After a careful analysis of the case, we (my ceramist and I) concluded that we could give Ana a beautiful new smile by placing 6 Porcelain Veneers.
I also proceeded with a gingivoplasty (gingival recontouring) to create a more harmonious and aesthetic gum line.
In these cases, where we have “good” teeth but want to improve them aesthetically, conventional fixed prosthesis techniques prove to be highly aggressive, and we would have to wear away a huge amount of healthy tooth structure to achieve any results. For me this is unacceptable and, for many years, I avoided doing it because I always thought that the cost in “tooth structure” was too high.
With Porcelain veneers, however, the picture is completely different since the tooth preparation is minimal and only on the front of the teeth (which makes all the difference).
See the transformation of the patient’s smile.
It is always interesting to know how these transformations are experienced by patients, so we asked Ana a few questions:
What kind of intervention did you do and why?
I had an aesthetic intervention, something I had wanted to do for a long time, but still hadn’t found the ideal solution. I have always wanted to do something “for my teeth” because having a beautiful smile is very important.
What has this change brought to your life?
This change had an impact on my day-to-day life because I can now smile without fear, so to speak. A beautiful smile brings more confidence and self-esteem.
What were your issues and what was your treatment?
My teeth were quite ugly, crooked, stained and I’m missing a tooth, My treatment consisted of Tooth Whitening and 6 Porcelain Veeners on my front teeth.
How do you see yourself today? Do others notice that you are different?
Today I look in the mirror and I like what I see and I like to smile for pictures!!
Yes, many people noticed the change and I get a lot of compliments.
