What are thin veneers?
Low preparation veneers, or ultra thin veneers are durable cosmetic restorations that enhance your smile with as little tooth reduction as possible. No-preparation veneers are made with porcelain restorations with a minimal thickness of 0.2 mm. To put this size into perspective, 0.2mm is about as thin as a piece of paper, or more than twice as thin as the average mechanical pencil lead. Artistically crafted, ultra thin tooth colored porcelain shells are placed individually over the front of each tooth in your smile.
These ultra thin veneers were bonded onto teeth that were minimally prepared meaning hardly touched by a drill. Some preparation was done to round out any sharp edges or corners. Porcelain does not like sharp corners and that can cause cracks.
Why low preparation of enamel makes thin veneers more durable
Thin porcelain veneers can round and smooth jagged or sharp tooth edges, create a more uniform smile, cover some light surface discoloration, and correct other modest smile imperfections.
Cosmetic dentistry that saves enamel
Thin veneers differ from traditional porcelain veneers or dental bonding because this procedure does not require much tooth surface removal. Since the enamel of the tooth remains intact, the tooth is stronger, the restoration can adhere better, and the tooth retains optimal health. Since the restoration is as thin as a sheet of paper, the cosmetic enhancement will not seem as cumbersome or difficult to adjust to with speech and eating in the week following treatment.
Can an ultra-thin veneer be durable?
Yes, no-preparation veneers have the possibility to last a lifetime with proper oral care. With other porcelain materials, thicknesses less than .5mm have a higher risk of cracking. Our veneers are made with non-brittle material so that the restoration is stronger. In fact, Dr. Fondriest partners with world famous ceramist Matt Roberts, CDT to make state-of-the-art cosmetic enhancements such as no-preparation or low-preparation veneers.
What are some special considerations for thin veneers?
While low prep veneers remove as little tooth structure as possible or remove no tooth structure at all, the procedure is still not reversible. These shells will cover modest smile imperfections but not all cosmetic enhancements will benefit from this treatment. If you would like to whiten your teeth with veneers, consider teeth whitening treatments before veneer placement since the restorations are too thin to cover excessive tooth staining. Ultra thin veneers are durable but will not significantly enhance the brightness of your smile.
Short teeth and teeth that are angled back in the mouth are ideal for low preparation techniques. Crooked teeth require more drilling to allow for proper alignment.
Conservative treatment that offers natural looking enhancements
Many of the same reasons porcelain is used for many modern dental crowns are why so many patients opt to use porcelain veneers to correct their cosmetic concerns. Veneers are also a popular choice for enhancement, year after year, because of how comprehensively they can improve a smile. From hiding minor gaps between the teeth to improving the appearance of teeth that seem small or misshapen, to hiding permanent staining, veneers can do wonders for the smile!
Thin veneers are strong and durable
They look quite delicate before we bond them to your teeth since they are super thin shells crafted out of layers of porcelain. Everything about veneers screams “fragile!” but they provide patients with exceptional durability. You will not need to worry about your smile cracking under pressure. Second, to your own natural teeth, veneers are known for their resilience and strength.
They Resist Staining
Friends or family may bring up a good point: Your natural teeth stain, so won’t the veneers end up looking discolored, too? Another wonderful long term benefit of porcelain veneers is their stain resistance. You can continue eating the foods you enjoy without feeling the need to avoid common staining agents like tea or coffee. The new, brighter smile you achieve is something you can expect to enjoy for a long time to come.
Daily Upkeep Is Simple
It is natural and commendable to worry about whether you are prepared to care for your new smile. Again, one of the wonderful advantages of dental veneers is that they do not require care any different from your natural teeth. Like the care we suggest for your own smile, you should adhere to the following oral health guidelines:
- Avoid abrasive products that can damage veneers, enamel, and gum tissue
- Use a soft bristle toothbrush
- Brushing and flossing as directed by your hygienist
Smile makeovers with minimal invasion and thin durable veneers
Minimally invasive dentistry embraces all aspects of the dental profession. Preventive dentistry is the first defense against invasive treatments. Next are minimally invasive treatment options which include repairing rather than replacing resin based composite veneers, or removing and replacing with as little tissue loss as possible.
Then there are minimally invasive treatments such as “No-Prep” or “Minimum-Prep” veneers. Ultra-thin (0.2mm), yet durable and strong, no or low-prep laminates require zero or minimal tooth reduction. They are fabricated from wafer thin, non-brittle porcelain with esthetics that blend with your natural dentition. If you are considering a cosmetic procedure but are uneasy about having your tooth enamel removed, discuss no-preparation or low-preparation veneers with your dentist. Dr. Fondriest is an advocate of minimally invasive dentistry and regardless of the procedure, he will remove as little of your natural tooth structure as possible.
A new type of veneer that is more durable
In recent years, some in the dental profession have moved toward the practice of minimally invasive dentistry. These dentists respect and try to preserve the natural tooth structure and original tissue of the patient. The patient’s original healthy tissue is of more biological value than a non-biological fabricated replacement.
The first and foremost way of practicing conservative dentistry is through preventive treatment, by preventing dental disease from occurring, or if it occurs, intercepting its progress. But when preventive treatment fails, preserving the natural tissue with no prep dental treatments is of the utmost importance.
We encourage our patients to contact us with questions about how to improve their smile with minimally invasive methods. To schedule an appointment at our Chicago area dentist office, contact us at (847) 234-0517. We serve patients from throughout the Chicago area.
Dr. Fondriest is a Nationally recognized and highly sought after cosmetic dentist. He serves clients from throughout the United States