What are porcelain laminates?
Porcelain laminates are cosmetic coverings for front teeth. In this technique, a small amount (.5mm) of tooth structure is removed from the front of the teeth and then an impression is taken and sent to a laboratory. In the lab, space-age porcelain materials are formed into a very thin piece called a laminate veneer. This porcelain can be formed and colored to appear incredibly tooth-like. The laminates are then tried on the tooth and are glued into place with special bonding materials. An opaquing substance can be mixed with the bonding material to mask any dark colors of the underlying tooth. Porcelain laminates are very conservative because only a minimal amount of tooth enamel must be removed to make room for the porcelain. The technique can be used to cover stained teeth, to close gaps, and to reshape deformed teeth. It can be used to straighten crooked teeth giving the impression of “instant orthodontics”.
Related Questions
- Which is the proper term: porcelain veneers, porcelain laminates, dental veneers, tooth laminates, bonding laminates?
- How does porcelain tile compare in cost to other countertop materials, like granite, laminates or solid surfacing?
- Is it okay for existing porcelain crowns or laminates to be bleached?
