Porcelain Veneers

Cosmetic Dentist Serving San Jose, Sunnyvale and the Bay Area

Porcelain veneers are thin laminates of porcelain that can be used to change the shape, size, position, and color of natural teeth. A good analogy for a porcelain veneers is a false fingernail. The porcelain veneer is placed over the outside surface of the tooth in the same way that a false fingernail is placed over the natural fingernail.

Porcelain veneers have revolutionized cosmetic dentistry due to their conservative nature. Prior to porcelain veneers the only way to improve one’s smile was through crowns, bonding, or orthodontics. Porcelain veneers have the following positive qualities:

Strong
Resist stain
Do not change color over time
Require minimal tooth reshaping
Can improve color, shape, size, and even position of teeth

The longevity and durability of porcelain veneers compares favorably with crowns. Many porcelain veneers placed in the early 1980s are still in place today. The durability depends on several factors including the type of porcelain, occlusion, hygiene, and diet.

Porcelain veneers are a homogeneous restoration which means that the porcelain is one uniform material. Many crowns have an inner layer called a core or coping with is used to strengthen the porcelain. Porcelain veneers depend on adhesive dentistry bonding for strength. Also, it is important for the cosmetic dentist to pay close attention to the patient’s occlusion, or bite, and habits such as clenching or grinding at night.

Laboratory Dental Ceramics – Information About the Art and Science of Dental Ceramics

When it comes to porcelain veneers, the importance of the laboratory technician in cosmetic dentistry cannot be overstated. The best cosmetic dentist is only as good as the ceramist.

The relationship between the dentist and the ceramist is very much like an architect and contractor. The dentist prepares the patients’ teeth and communicates the “blueprint” for a successful result to the contractor, the ceramist. Unfortunately, many dentists do not communicate well with their laboratory. It is very typical for the dentist to write a laboratory prescription for the technician with directions for:

Shade A1, porcelain and metal crown for tooth #9.

This leaves HUGE possibilities for misinformation, a poor result, and an unhappy patient!

Complex cosmetic dental cases require abundant and accurate information for the ceramist. For a quality result, a good technician needs:

The dentist prescription
Patient photographs
Models
Bite registrations
Prototype photographs and models

The level of artistry possible in dental ceramics is truly awesome. But only a few technicians can attain this level. Just as there is only one Rembrandt or Michael Jordan, there are only a few technicians worldwide that can attain an elite level result.

Common Dental Problems

Frequently Asked Porcelain Veneer Questions

If you would like to learn more about porcelain veneers or any of the procedures or treatments Dr. Wayland provides, or if you would like to find out what cosmetic dentistry techniques he can use to correct your smile, contact him today to schedule your initial consultation.