Your new white smile with dental laminates
This section of our site of cosmetic dentistry clinic provides you with some background into dental Laminates, both composite Laminates and porcelain Laminates.
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.
Dental Laminates are not the only alternative for all esthetic abnormalities but are truly a remarkable restoration when they are the treatment of choice.
Aside from staining, there are other factors that can affect the color of an individual's teeth. Genetics can play a role. Some people have naturally brighter enamel than others. Disease can also be a factor and certain medications can cause a discoloration of the teeth. If you suspect that there is an underlying medical cause for your teeth discoloration, be sure to inform your cosmetic dentist.
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.
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.
Dental Laminates require a minimal amount of tooth reduction ( approximately .5 mm ) and are, therefore, a more conservative restoration than a crown. More, Tooth Laminates allow us to alter tooth position, shape, size and color.
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.
Between your preparation visit and the insertion visit, you can expect some sensitivity to hot and cold. This is normal and is due to the removal of a small portion of the enamel covering of the tooth. This sensitivity should disappear after the placement of your Porcelain Laminates.
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.
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.
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.
Lumineer Porcelain Laminates typically also require just two visits. But Lumineers are expected to last as long as traditional porcelain Laminates.
It takes roughly a week or two of a period of adjustment to get used to your teeth that have been changed in color, size, spacing and shape. While very little tooth is removed in most cases, there are situations where more tooth must be removed which increases the risk of trauma to the tooth. The amount of tooth to be removed for the dental Laminates should be discussed with your cosmetic dentist beforehand.
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.
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.
Cosmetic Dentists offering Lumineers are specially trained specifically for this type of veneer which means for the time being there are fewer Cosmetic Dentists offering Lumineers.
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.
Not all of your teeth are the same natural color. Usually your eye teeth tend to be darker than the others, your front teeth are typically the whitest, and molars tend to be a shade between the two. The goal for everyone is to achieve their individual optimum whiteness while still looking natural.
Once placed, tooth Laminates are typically the kindest restoration to the gum tissues that we currently have in our prosthetic armamentarium. Do not be afraid that you will damage your Laminates by either flossing or brushing. Any non-abrasive tooth paste is acceptable. A good home care regimen will insure the esthetic success of your Laminates restorations for years to come.
