Clinical dentistry never stays the same, so it is important to keep on top of new developments and how newer treatments stack up against the older ones. So, here you will learn a bit about the newest composite veneers versus their traditional porcelain counterparts.
How do porcelain veneers Bondi Junction work?
A porcelain veneers is an aesthetic prosthetic attached to the front of the teeth. Its role is to alter a tooth’s appearance and provide a blank canvas for a dentist to create a truly seamless restoration or part of a brand new smile if being used as a complete set.
The first step to receiving porcelain laminates is to take accurate measurements of the teeth using dental moulds or 3D oral scanning. Measurements are sent to a partner laboratory that fabricates the thin wafer of porcelain slightly oversized and sends it back to the clinic. During a fitting, the oversized laminate of ceramic can be cut down into the rough shape required to fit the tooth; fine adjustments can be made, and the shape is completed using a dental drill.
Depending on the aesthetic goals, the outer surface of the laminate can be deliberately weathered by adding slight lines and imperfections to give it a healthy and realistic finish.
How do composite veneers differ?
Composite veneers evolved from the creative use of UV resin. These are relatively new in clinical practice and were originally adopted to hold prosthetics like porcelain laminates in place.
They are extremely robust bonds whilst also being solvent-free and insoluble.
The curing of the resin is entirely dependent on UV light exposure. The use of UV-producing LEDs allows them to be used as convenient low-energy and low-heat emitters of UV light, providing dentists with the ability to stop a curing process at any point to make adjustments before completing it.
What allowed it to pass from just being an adhesive to an alternative to porcelain was realising that resin can be built up in layers, each cured before the next is applied, allowing substantial structures to be gradually assembled layer-by-layer in the patient’s mouth. To finish these sorts of constructs, they are sculpted and polished by selecting resins with the correct shade; the natural colours and translucency of the patient’s teeth can be replicated, making it an extremely versatile technique appropriate for small repairs all the way up to pseudo-crowns.
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Which is better?
They both have their strengths and weaknesses. Traditional porcelain laminates are more expensive and will have to be installed over two sessions. But they do have a longer track record and are less dependent on the skill of the dentist.
Composites are likely to be cheaper and completed in a single session. That session could be quite long, depending on how many layers need to be built up and set. Also, the sculpting skills of the dental professional will be tested as they have a much bigger effect on the patient’s final appearance.
DISCLAIMER
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
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