High Tech Advancements and How They Have Affected Veneers

Given that veneers were designed to correct aesthetic issues, it’s understandable that most patients want a pair that will look as good as humanly possible.

Fortunately, thanks to advancements in technology over the decades, the veneers of today are a far cry from those of your grandparents generation.  Here’s how modern technology can help make your veneers look fantastic.

What Are Veneers?

Veneers are essentially thin coverings that go over the visible portion of your tooth. For many patients, they’re a useful treatment option for both cosmetic as well as protective reasons - they can be used to cover up chipped or stained teeth, and they offer protection from any further decay.

A Quick History Of Veneers

Veneers were originally devised in the 1920’s in Hollywood. In an era where cosmetic dentistry wasn’t as readily available as it is today, a dentist by the name of Dr. Charles Pincus came up with the idea of placing acrylic caps over the teeth of film actors during shooting to give them the look of  a beautiful, straight smile.

The caps were originally meant to be removed after filming, but the idea caught on and spread to the general population.  Eventually, dentists began finding ways to bond the veneers (by now made from porcelain or composite) to the teeth for a more permanent solution.

While these early veneers were often ill-fitting and lacked effective adhesion to the teeth, technology eventually caught up, and by the 1980’s, they became the effective and affordable option they are today.

New Technology (And How They Make Your Veneers Look Awesome)

Today, there are a number of technologies and options available to really make your veneers near you look like the real thing.

Patients are now able to choose between tradition and no-preparation veneers.  Traditional veneers involve removing a small amount of enamel (the out shell that protects the tooth) in order to make room for the attachment.

With no-preparation veneers, none of this is required - the veneers are simply fitted to the teeth.

One of the concerns patients have when considering veneers is having people find out that they’re wearing them.  This is, ironically, often due to veneers being too good - perfectly straight, perfectly white teeth are a classic tell-tale sign that someone has received veneer treatment.

Fortunately, today’s dentists are much more attuned to this issue.  When you receive your veneers at a dentist near you, they’ll make sure to pay attention to all of the details that make them look “real”.  

This often includes working with a lab to get a shape and color that matches your natural teeth, with a very subtle hint of translucency around the edges.

These labs may also make use of certain computer technology.  Your dentist may take images of your teeth using digital photography (allowing them to get a much more accurate look) which can then be easily transferred to the lab so they can get an exact match.  

Another neat little trick is computer imaging technology in the fitting process.  This will allow you to see a picture of your smile with and without your new veneers before they actually go on your teeth.  Obviously, many patients are somewhat anxious about the end product, so being able to “try before you buy” can go a long way towards easing your anxiety about how everything will actually look once it’s all said and done.

It’s these little nuances and technological tricks that can make or break whether or not your veneers look like real natural teeth, and a dentist near you will have the ability to make full use of them.