Creating Beautiful Smiles with Dental Veneers and Laminates

Dental imperfections such as stains, chips, and misalignments can impact one’s self-esteem. To correct them, dentists and orthodontists often recommend cosmetic dental treatments. Dental veneers and laminates are top on the list of treatment options that may be recommended to address these dental issues and transform a patient’s smile completely.

Dental veneers and laminates are two related but slightly different treatment procedures that offer a quick and effective way to improve the appearance of a patient’s smile. At Smile Artistry Chino Valley, it is one of the cosmetic treatment options that is routinely performed by our team of professionals. In this article, we’ll explain how we create beautiful smiles for patients with dental veneers and laminates.

What are Dental Veneers and Laminates?

Dental veneers and laminates are thin shells typically made from porcelain or composite material and custom-made to fit over the front surface of a patient’s teeth. These cosmetic dentistry solutions are designed to change the shape, size, and color of the tooth or teeth they’re applied to, offering an effective solution to instantly improve the appearance of the teeth. Although they look similar and are often used interchangeably, veneers and laminates are two different treatment options. Here’s a quick overview of what they are and the differences between them.

What are Dental Veneers?

A veneer is a thin layer of material installed over the front surface of the teeth to improve its aesthetics. Veneers are made from either porcelain or composite materials and bonded to the tooth surface with a special dental cement. Porcelain veneers are more popular and are considered the gold standard in cosmetic dentistry due to their durability and natural appearance. This type of veneer is custom-made for a patient’s teeth and can be designed to match the color, shape, and size of your existing teeth. This makes them virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth.

Composite resin veneers are made from a tooth-colored resin material and are directly applied to the teeth. This type of veneer is not as durable as porcelain because it’s stainable and more brittle. However, it’s still quite popular with patients because it is cheaper and easier to install. At our dental clinic, we can help patients achieve a beautiful smile with composite veneers in just one session.

What are Laminates?

Laminates are sometimes referred to as laminate veneers because they are essentially ultra-thin porcelain veneers. They are thinner than regular veneers, about the same thickness as contact lenses. Since the laminate is so thin, installing it over the teeth involves removing a smaller amount of tooth enamel compared to regular veneers. Less tooth grinding is healthier for dental health, but the main downside is that it doesn’t change the size and shape of the teeth significantly.

How We Create Beautiful Smiles with Dental Veneers and Laminates at Smile Artistry

Creating beautiful smiles with dental veneers and laminates is a multi-step process. The exact procedure we follow depends on which treatment options you choose. Here’s a general overview of what to expect when you visit Smile Artistry for any of these cosmetic treatment options.

Consultation and Examination

The first step to creating a beautiful smile is a consultation with our expert dentists. During this initial appointment, you get to discuss your smile goals and expectations with a professional and learn about your treatment options. Your Chino Valley dentist will carry out a thorough examination of your teeth and gums to determine whether veneers or laminates are suitable for you. Impressions of your teeth will also be taken to create customized veneers.

Treatment Planning

Once we determine which of these treatment options is right for you, your dentist will work with you to create a customized treatment plan. This plan will identify the specific number of teeth to be targeted by the treatment, the specific shade and shape of the veneer, and the exact procedure for the treatment. At Smile Artistry, we prioritize open communication with patients to ensure the final results align with their vision as realistically as possible.

Preparation

Whether you’re getting regular veneers or laminates, a small amount of enamel will have to be removed from the front surface of your teeth to make room for the veneer shell. This simple and painless process ensures the thin shell fits over your teeth seamlessly. Shaving off part of the enamel also creates a rough surface for the adhesive that will be added to the teeth. How much enamel will be shaved off depends on which of the two options you’re going for. Laminate shells are thinner, so only a small amount of enamel must be removed. We’ll also take impressions to create custom veneers or laminates that perfectly match your natural teeth.

Veneer Placement

The process of veneer placement also depends on whether you’re getting porcelain veneers, laminate, or composite veneers. The first two options are custom fabricated in a dental lab based on the impressions of your teeth. Once the veneers are ready, your dentists in Chino Valley will carefully bond each veneer to the corresponding tooth with a strong dental adhesive.

Composite veneers, on the other hand, are applied directly to the teeth using a composite resin filling material applied directly to the surface teeth. The resin is a putty-like material that can be easily shaped as desired. After applying the resin, the dentist will polish it to the desired shape to match the appearance of your teeth and create a stunning, natural-looking smile.

Caring for Your New Smile

To ensure the longevity of your beautiful new smile, our dentists will discuss how to practice good oral hygiene and care for your veneers. While veneers (especially porcelain veneers) are resistant to staining, you still must limit your consumption of substances that may affect the color of your veneer, such as red wine and coffee. Additionally, heat or trauma damage from biting hard objects can cause your veneer to warp, chip, or crack, so these must be avoided as well.

Contact Smile Artistry to Start Your Journey to a Confident Smile

At Smile Artistry, we have transformed countless smiles with our dental veneers and laminates cosmetic treatment. If you're dissatisfied with the appearance of your teeth and desire a radiant and flawless smile, visit our dental clinic in Chino Valley to discuss with our dental professionals and explore the possibilities that veneers and laminates can offer. With the right treatment plan and care, we can help you achieve that beautiful smile you've always desired. Contact us to take the first step towards a brighter smile.