Dental laminates
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Dental Laminates, sometimes called tooth Laminates, can be used to correct both color and shape problems. Tooth Laminates are probably the most esthetic means of creating a more pleasing and beautiful smile.
Teeth enamel discoloration can be caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. Some of the more common causes of teeth discoloration are medications, coffee, tea or cigarettes. People who drink significant amounts of cola soft drinks can experience similar staining.
Tooth Laminates, porcelain or plastic, are placed over the front teeth to change color shape of the teeth. Dental Laminates are ideal for teeth that are too small, too big, or have uneven surfaces. It is very common for people to have imperfect teeth, either oddly shaped teeth, chipped teeth, crooked teeth, teeth with small holes in them, or an inappropriate sized tooth or teeth that have an odd appearance. Tooth Laminates solve such irregularities and create a durable and pleasing smile.
Often an alternative to crowns, dental Laminates are very thin pieces of specially-shaped porcelain or plastic that are glued over the front of your teeth with little or no anesthesia needed. They are the cure for teeth that are severely discolored, chipped, have small holes or pits, misshapen or crooked, or for the correction of unwanted or uneven spaces.
Unlike crowns, dental Laminates won't require the dentist to remove much of the tooth itself in most cases. It is important to ask your cosmetic dentist how much tooth will be removed. In some cases more tooth will need to be removed, which may increase the risk of trauma to the tooth.
Strong and very durable, dental Laminates last from ten to fifteen years, and come in colors that will brighten dark teeth without the worry of them changing color.
In your first appointment, it is important to initially discuss with your cosmetic dentist that you will want to "try in" your tooth Laminates with temporary cement that is the same color cement as will be used for the permanent attachment. During this "try-in" phase, be sure to look at your tooth Laminates in natural light in addition to the office light.
Teeth are prepared for Laminates by lightly buffing to allow for the small added thickness of the veneer. Tooth Laminates are thin like contact lenses, and will usually only need tooth reduction of 0.5mm to 1.0mm. If a drastic change is being made for the result you want, reduction may be 1.0mm to 2.0mm. A mold is taken of the teeth, from which the Laminates are modeled after.
The laboratory time required for the fabrication of a tooth Laminates is approximately one week. Due to the minimal amount of tooth reduction, it is usually not necessary to fabricate any type of temporary restoration. Should a temporary be needed, they can, in most circumstances, be made at the time of treatment.
Your second visit, the insertion of your Laminates, can be accomplished, once again, with or without local anesthetic. This visit is usually longer in length. The Laminates are placed with a light sensitive resin which is hardened by using a white light.
Temporary Laminates will be placed and worn until your permanent Laminates are ready. While wearing the temporary Laminates, advise your cosmetic dentist of any adjustments or changes you would like made, such as in shape or size. These changes will be translated into your permanent Laminates, so good communication between you and your dentist is important in achieving your new smile.
Your dentist places the Laminates with water or glycerin on the teeth to verify their perfect fit and the shade or color. The color cannot be changed after the Laminates are adhered to your teeth. The tooth is then cleansed with chemicals to achieve a durable bond. Once the glue is between the veneer and your tooth, a light beam is used to harden the glue/cement.
Traditional Porcelain Laminates typically require two or more visits one to two weeks apart. Laminates made of porcelain provide a greater longevity than plastic, typically ten years to fifteen years or more. Composite Laminates cost significantly less, but only last from five to seven years typically.
Approximately one week after the placement of your Laminates you will be asked to return to the office for a treatment evaluation. This visit is extremely important. It gives your dentist the opportunity to evaluate the placement of the Laminates, the tissue response and to answer any questions you might have regarding your new smile.
It is common to have minor sensitivity after your teeth have been prepared for your Laminates while wearing the temporary Laminates. Some people can experience a difference in speech, usually pronouncing "s" and "f" sounds. This is corrected through minor adjustments your cosmetic dentist can make to your Laminates.
If you suffer from bruxism, clenching or grinding of your teeth, Laminates can be damaged, chipped or cracked from this. If you suffer from bruxism, speak with your cosmetic dentist about wearing a mouth guard at night to protect your new smile.
Made of Cerinate porcelain, Lumineers are a new type of porcelain Laminates. They are contact lens-thin, roughly .2 mm thick. Little to no tooth reduction in most cases is necessary with this type of veneer and anesthetics or numbing shots are not needed. It is claimed that Lumineers resist micro-leakage and micro-cracking more so than traditional porcelain Laminates.
Unlike other porcelain Laminates, you won't need to wear temporary Laminates until the Lumineers are created. Lumineers are expected to last just as long as traditional porcelain Laminates. Lumineers are reversible if no tooth reduction was necessary when they were first done. Cost is less than traditional porcelain Laminates.
Teeth are of course not monochromatic, so typically more than one color is used to create a very natural look. This color variation is critical in avoiding fake or artificial looking teeth. It is the internal contrast of colors that help create vitality. The internal play of light on the porcelain in the restoration helps to create this vitality. Surface texture is also very important, and helps to break up light reflections and make the crown or veneer look more natural.
There is no one standard system in the dental field to measure and determine tooth color. The most often heard about, however, is the Vita shade guide.
Most dentists will show you a shade chart (like the above mentioned Vita Shade Guide) for you to pick from. Keep in mind, with a good cosmetic dentist this is merely a starting point. Other considerations when determining the color of Laminates for each patient are your complexion, hair color, the color of your natural teeth and even your eye color.
The maintenance of your dental Laminates is relatively simple. And main suggestions here: please brush and floss as you normally would to prevent oral hygiene problems.
If you are known to be a bruxer or clencher, please let your dentist know. He/she will fabricate a soft nite guard for you to wear to minimize the stresses placed upon your teeth while you sleep.
Finally, a whiter smile gives people to whom you are speaking a place to focus on and gives you a friendlier appearance.
