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One of the most significant breakthroughs in dentistry has been the discovery of new adhesion techniques which permit dentists to successfully adhere dissimilar materials to one another. For example, porcelain can now be laminated or "veneered" to tooth enamel, dentin, metals, and previously placed porcelain.
Although lab-fabricated adhesion techniques are comparatively new, the restorative results have proven consistently successful. The cosmetic values of these procedures frequently exceed the patient's own expectations. Here are some of the advantages of these techniques:
- The natural tooth structure is maximally preserved and the surrounding soft tissues remain undisturbed.
- Individual teeth of dissimilar color and contour can be beautifully matched beyond detection with porcelain veneers.
- Permanent stains such as those caused by antibiotics (namely Tetracycline), can be covered with porcelain veneers.
- The porcelain veneer process actually laminates and strengthens the tooth with a layer of adhesive and a layer of porcelain. The strength of these "laminated" restorations is unparalleled.
- Even fractured and trauma-damaged teeth can now be restored with the porcelain veneer technique.
- These procedures most frequently do not require the use of local anesthetics.
Perhaps the best analogy of the porcelain veneer technique is laminated automotive glass. The three layers, glass/plastic/glass, are each very fragile by themselves, however, once laminated together they are incredibly strong!
In some cases, one's dental arch now can be made more natural by replacing missing teeth with non-invasive lab-fabricated adhesive bridges. However, this technique still has limited application.
The entire front surface of the tooth is covered with a custom lab-fabricated 0.5mm Veneer of Porcelain.
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