Houston Dentist Talks About Laminate Veneers

Laminate veneers are very thin sheets of porcelain that are designed to cover the front of teeth.  These porcelain sheets can also be customized to the sides of a tooth in order to close a gap.  Many times as well, a very small piece of laminate can be bonded to the end of a small tooth in order to increase its length.  In other instances, a misshapen tooth can be repaired by applying a smooth, thin veneer to its surface.

In essence, then, laminate Veneers restore, protect, and cover teeth.  They are excellent, highly practical, and more tooth restorations that are able to solve many different dental problems.  Discolored teeth can be whitened by laminate veneers.  Chipped teeth can be smoothed over and made to appear whole and attractive once again.  Misaligned teeth can be straightened out with no need for orthodontics. 

Due to the more complex and expensive alternatives, laminate veneers are often the best choice for patients working with a conservative budget.  Rather than doing nothing at all, these patients can still obtain a lasting solution to their problems without the complications and costs of multiple dental visits or dental surgery.  

The application procedure is very simple.  It only requires only two visits to the dentist. 

The first step the dentist takes is to perform a full dental examination of the patients teeth.  This includes a full set of X-rays.  This examination lets the dentist know of any serious tooth decay or damage that may lay hidden inside the mouth.

After this, the next step is the preparation of tooth surfaces for laminate veneer fitting.  Teeth have to be prepared in this way to prevent veneers from looking thick or bulky.  This only involves removing a small amount of tooth surface, so most people never need an anesthetic. 

Once have been prepared, the dentist takes impressions of the patients teeth and makes a mold of the bite.  This mold is then forwarded to a dental lab.  Here, dental manufacture the thin veneers to custom fit the exact dimensions of the persons teeth.

The laminate veneers are then sent back to the office, and the patient is called back in for a second appointment.  Before bonding the laminates to the teeth, the dentist will trial fit them to make certain they fit.  Once fit is determined, the dentists bonds them in place and hardens the bonding agent with a special high-intensity light.   

It is important that the bite of the patient be restored along with the cosmetic appearance of the teeth.  Tests will be conducted to make certain that this has been accomplished, and any minor adjustments that are necessary will then be made at that time. 

Thin great thing about thin veneers is they are extremely strong, and their lighter, brighter color is permanent.  With the right care, a person can expect them to last up to 15 years or more.

It is essential that patients take care of their laminates and all of their teeth by proper brushing and flossing as always.