Dental Veneers and Dental Laminates

Dental veneers

Dental veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are bonded to the front of the teeth. The veneers can completely transform the look of a patient's smile. They hide chips, cracks, discoloration, and minor alignment issues. 

Placing veneers

Veneers are thin porcelain shells that bond to teeth. To apply the veneers, a dentist will need to remove a small amount of enamel from the teeth (about 0.5 mm). Then, the veneers are custom-made in a dental lab based on an impression. Patients wear temporary veneers while the permanent ones are being fabricated. When the permanent veneers are ready, patients return to the dentist's office to have them bonded into place.

Due to the removal of tooth enamel, the process is not reversible. Veneers can last for decades with proper care.

Dental laminates

Dental laminates are similar to veneers, but they are significantly thinner and need little to no enamel removal for placement. Dental laminates are thin, custom-made shells made from porcelain or resin that are bonded to teeth. Because they are bonded to teeth, they can be shaped and colored to blend in with surrounding teeth.

Dental laminates can also be made to cover chipped teeth, cover spaces between teeth, change the shape of a tooth, or protect a weak or worn-down tooth.

Placing laminates

The dentist starts by making an impression of the patient's tooth. A dental lab will use the impression to make a customized dental laminate.

The teeth will be cleaned prior to the placement of the laminates. The dentist will choose the color of the resin and work towards matching the resin to the natural tooth color. The laminates will be applied and hardened using specialized light.

What kinds of issues can dental veneers and laminates help with?

Veneers and laminates can correct:

• Teeth that have become stained 
• Worn-down teeth
• Chipped or damaged teeth are a major source of embarrassment.
• Misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped teeth
• Teeth that are slighly spaced apart 

Veneers or laminates: Which is better for me?

While porcelain veneers and laminates are similar in appearance, there are certain distinctions that make one more suited to your dental needs. Porcelain veneers are a more permanent option that cannot be reversed since they entail some tooth structure removal. Laminates may be a better option if you desire a reversible solution that preserves the integrity of your natural teeth. They're thinner veneers, around the same thickness as contact lenses, and they don't require any preparation.

To learn about our dental procedures, call Desert Mountain Dental at (520) 324-0100 and schedule an appointment or visit our Tucson dental office.