If you are thinking about getting dental laminates to improve your smile, you should learn more about what this process entails. Your dentist can explain how the procedure works and what the benefits are. You can also compare them to veneers and see how they are similar and different. As you understand both of these treatments, you can see which one is right for you.
How teeth suffer damage
The need for dental laminates can come about in a few different ways. Some people’s teeth have cosmetic problems due to trauma to the mouth. A hard blow to the face or biting into something can chip, crack, or break a tooth. A face-first fall can also injure a tooth and require treatment.
In other situations, a person’s poor oral hygiene is to blame. Not brushing or flossing often or well enough can weaken teeth and lead to deterioration. The teeth can become prone to damage and affect the person’s smile. Tooth decay and infections can also lead to tooth loss.
Both can improve the appearance of teeth
Both veneers and dental laminates can restore a person’s smile. These treatments can change the shape and size of teeth that have suffered trauma. Both attach to the front of the tooth, covering up the blemishes and making the tooth appear whole. These devices can also work to correct other issues.
Because veneers and laminates are made of porcelain, the dentist can make them the desired color shade. The dentist may use them to whiten discolored teeth. Veneers and laminates can also function to make crooked teeth straighter. They can also fix gaps in the mouth.
Dental laminates are thinner
A veneer is a thin shell that is similar to an artificial fingernail. It bonds to the front of the tooth with dental cement. Laminates are even thinner than veneers. These shells are about the width of a contact lens. Some patients prefer this difference, as laminates are not as bulky.
Laminates are less invasive
The process of getting veneers requires the dentist to alter the tooth. After numbing the patient, the dentist will reshape the tooth so that the veneer will fit properly. Then, the dentist must remove some of the enamel and etch the tooth to make it rough. This aids in the bonding process. With dental laminates, the dentist leaves the natural tooth more intact. To place these on affected teeth, the dentist removes little to no enamel.
Costs
Patients should consider how much they will pay for each treatment. Be aware that dental insurance may not cover either of these options, especially to repair cosmetic issues. It ordinarily will require a bigger financial commitment to get dental laminates than veneers. People who are on a tight budget should consider these factors.
A new smile awaits with both choices
Deciding whether to get veneers or dental laminates is up to you. Think about how both work and the benefits these treatments provide. Then, consider the differences between the two. Your dentist can help you decide which is right for your needs and smile.
Porcelain veneers vs. Composite veneers: Which is best?
Porcelain laminate veneers are thin “shells” of porcelain that are bonded to the front of the tooth. Composite veneers are made from a synthetic mix of resin (plastic) with glass and they’re applied to the tooth one layer at a time.
Now that we understand the difference between the types of veneers, let’s look at the benefits and disadvantages of each type.
Composite veneers pros and cons
Composite resin veneers are added to each tooth in single layers, which are sculpted in place by the dentist. This only takes a single session to complete.
The benefit of composite veneers:
Treatment can be completed in a single visit
Less expensive than porcelain veneers
Damage to the veneers can be repaired (chips and cracks)
Less enamel is removed from the natural teeth
The cons of composite veneers:
Composite resin tends to stain more easily
Less durable than porcelain
Repaired chips and breaks are often very visible
Shorter lifespan (around eight years)
Not as realistic looking as porcelain
Porcelain veneers pros and cons:
Porcelain laminate veneers are customized in a laboratory to perfectly match the individual’s color, shape, and size requirements. The entire process usually takes three sessions, including consultation.
The benefits of porcelain veneers:
Stronger, more durable material
Longer lifespan (at least 10 years, but often longer)
Most natural, due to mimicking the way that teeth reflect light
Highly stain resistant.
Possible drawbacks of porcelain veneers:
They cannot be repaired, so must be replaced if damaged
It takes longer to complete the treatment (usually three sessions)