Porcelain Laminates - Changing Your Smile and the Course of Cosmetic Dentistry
Porcelain laminates are thin-as-a-fingernail covers that can be securely bonded to healthy teeth to create strong and beautiful facings for them. Invented by a researcher at the NYU College of Dentistry about 25 years ago, the process has fundamentally revolutionized how we practice cosmetic dentistry. Here are some of the ways laminates are used:
- Alternative to orthodontics (braces)
- After braces to "fine tune" the result
- Cover and repair stained and injured teeth
- Restore lost length
- And, believe it or not, as an alternative to plastic surgery
One of the aesthetic challenges of aging derives from the natural shortening of the upper teeth, causing them to be less visible and reducing support for the lips and skin around the mouth. This often results in thinner looking lips, deeper smile lines, and a generally older look. In these cases, laminates can be designed that not only restore length but serve to "plump out" the lips and smooth the smile lines.
The advantages of laminates over conventional caps are huge. There is less invasion of healthy tooth structure, less potential for nerve damage, and, because the surface facing the tongue is not changed, laminates are easier to adjust to.
Over the past 25 years we have made thousands of porcelain laminates and a high percentage of the originals are still functioning. Since they make people so much happier with their smiles, laminates are among the most gratifying things that we do.