Technology of Porcelain Dental Veneers

The development of dental veneers:

Blonde haired woman smilingThe permanent, stain-resistant porcelain veneers, sometimes referred to as laminates, that you can get today are the product of years of dental technology and innovation. It may surprise you to learn that this popular cosmetic procedure was first conceived of and created in Hollywood by “Dentist of the Stars” Dr. Charles Pincus in 1928. At that time, the dentist made thin shells of porcelain to be used to give stars that picture perfect smile on-screen, but unfortunately Dr. Pincus lacked the technology to bond them permanently.  It is a testament to his handiwork that many moviegoers had no idea that their favorite stars didn’t have the pearly whites of their movie-star persona. The “Hollywood Smile” was a falsehood that wasn’t evident in the days before 24 hour-a-day media access.

Over the next thirty or so years, Dr. Pincus and his colleagues worked toward the goal of permanently bonded veneers. It wasn’t until 1959 that a discovery by Dr. Michael Buonocore made true porcelain veneers a possibility. It was found that by lightly etching the surface of the enamel, the right conditions were created, making a strong enough bond achievable. This discovery made permanent dental veneers feasible. Henceforth, porcelain veneer technology has been refined to its current state, affording patients the option to mask the widest variety of dental flaws while providing natural looking teeth. Because the material used reflects light in the same way as your own enamel, it’s virtually undetectable.

What Can Veneers do?

Because modern dental veneers are cosmetically applied to the outer surfaces of the teeth that are visible when you smile, the procedure can improve:

  • chips
  • cracks
  • discoloration that teeth whitening procedures can’t lighten
  • wide gaps between teeth
  • oddly shaped or “pegged” teeth
  • teeth of uneven length
  • can provide “instant orthodontia” for certain misalignment’s

If you have other dental improvements you’d like to make that you don’t see on this list, we still may be able to help you. A consultation with Dr. Rearden at Village Family Dental can determine if porcelain dental veneers are the right procedure for you. Most patients who are in reasonably good health and have a condition that can benefit from a dental laminate procedure will qualify, but as with any medical or dental procedure, some patients will not be good candidates. That doesn’t mean you can’t have the smile of your dreams, but it does mean you will have to take advantage of a different dental treatment. Many patients in this circumstance can benefit from dental bonding, or depending on the damage to the tooth, may require a crown instead of a veneer.

Call us today at (843) 215-2599(843) 215-2599 to schedule your consultation! We look forward to helping you.

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