A laminate is a thin plastic or porcelain veneer produced in a dental laboratory and then bonded to a tooth to improve its appearance.
These laminate/porcelain veneers are thin shell-like slices of ceramic bonded to the front of the teeth. They are used to cover gaps reshape chipped teeth or whiten stained teeth. They are also one of the most natural-looking and long-lasting whitening options available but are also one of the most expensive cosmetic dentistry items.
The application of porcelain veneers requires three dental. The first visit is for a diagnosis and treatment-planning session. A preparation session follows the first visit where half a millimeter off the tooth or teeth is buffed to create room for the veneer. At this point mold of the teeth are also taken and sent to a laboratory. Within two weeks the laboratory will send back the veneers based on the mold. The final session involves bonding the veneers. A dentist will first give you a ﾓtrial fittingﾔ of your veneers by using water or glycerine to attach them to your teeth. Once you are satisfied with the look of the veneers your dentist will clean your teeth with bond-aiding chemicals and cement the veneers to your teeth. Finally he or she will flash a blue light on the veneers to speed up the hardening of the cement.
The number of veneers you get depends on what results you are hoping to achieve. Usually at least six veneers are needed to make a visible cosmetic difference. Dentists recommend having veneers done in ﾓsetsﾔﾗall six top teeth for example at the same time. This allows dentists to create a smile with consistent shape and colour. If the veneers are placed individually then matching their shape and colour to the surrounding teeth can prove difficult.
The maintenance of your Porcelain Laminate Veneer is relatively simple but important. A few suggestions include brushing and flossing as normal to prevent oral hygiene problems and using any non-abrasive toothpaste.
Some sensitivity to hot and cold may be experienced after the placement veneers and will depend on the amount of enamel left on your tooth after preparation the proximity of the nerve as well as several other factors.
