Porcelain veneers are still regarded as one of the main cosmetic dentistry techniques. In skilled hands, they can look just like teeth. Now, we are not talking 'Turkey Teeth' here! You may have seen many social media sites showing smile makeovers in Turkey with super white 'veneers'. In reality, these veneers are actually crowns that cover the entire tooth surface after the teeth have been cut down to little stumps. This is not cosmetic dentistry but butchery, to be blunt. 

Porcelain veneer treatment should be minimally invasive preserving as much tooth surface as possible. This way, the results are not only biologically safe but also life like and natural. The key detail is in the planning and close collaboration with the dental laboratory and technicians. Our case of the month for February shows a great case following these key principles.

To answer this question, we really need to differentiate the two treatments as they are two different treatment entirely. 

Composite bonding is an additive process. In simple terms, we carefully sculpt composite resin over the teeth in question. This can be used to treat chipped, fractured, uneven and gappy teeth. Composite can also be used to replace old fillings on front ( or back) teeth. The great advantage of bonding includes:

1. Treatment is completed in one visit; an instant smile transformation!
2. Minimally invasive. There is little, if any, drilling of the underlying teeth needed.
3. Biologically safe for the teeth and gums. There is no risk of damage to the nerve.
4. Composite can be easily maintained.
5. More affordable than porcelain veneers or ceramic crowns.
6. Composite will protect the underlying teeth from further wear and tear.
 

One of the most topical subjects at the moment is the debate between composite and porcelain for dental restorations. In terms of cosmetic dentistry, this equates to the use of composite veneers and porcelain veneers. It is important to note that composite veneers can either be made by a laboratory or placed free hand by the dentist in the chair. Porcelain veneers can only be made by a dental laboratory or within a dental practice that has the necessary technology such as computer aided design and a milling machine, otherwise know as CAD-CAM.
 

We love to create new smiles with the most modern technology and techniques available that are kind to the teeth, are natural and long lasting. In many cases, E-Max porcelain veneers will give the best aesthetic and functional results. This is especially the case when teeth already have been filled and are now starting to show discolouration or are worn and chipped. Porcelain veneers will completely transform a smile by creating new outer surfaces for the teeth. This is shown superbly by our case of the month for February 2024.

Most celebrities and television personalities have porcelain veneers on the upper teeth. If you take a close look, the lower teeth are often slightly darker and a little uneven!
 

Porcelain veneers are one of the most popular ways of transforming a smile. Veneers are outer facings that cover the tooth/teeth to repair issues such as chips, fractures, asymmetry, discolouration or protect old fillings. The transformation of a smile can be life changing. A smile is one of the first things that is evident on a person and this can radiance confidence and self-belief. The treatment for veneers is not a straightforward one and requires careful planning and execution to achieve an outstanding result. Our case of the month highlights the beauty of this treatment and the process that is involved.
 

Our case of the month for December was a stunning one involving the replacement of old porcelain veneers and a dental implant crown for a front tooth.
 

Our case of the month for September 2021 was a simply stunning one using ultra minimally invasive E max veneers. Our client disliked her front teeth composite bonding which had discoloured, worn and chipped over time. Although teeth bonding is a superb treatment, there are disadvantages compared to porcelain such as those mentioned above. Porcelain will not stain or change colour and it is far more durable than composite. However, in the past, porcelain needed considerable preparation to create space for the material which was a huge disadvantage. Today, material technology and modern techniques allow us to create beautiful veneers without having to cut teeth.

Our case highlights this, just take a look:
 

Our case of the month for November involves a re-construction of the bite over a number of years. The main reason for treatment was due to severe tooth wear due to bruxism. Bruxism is essentially grinding at night to such an extent that the enamel is worn over a number of years. This can cause a number of problems such as:
 

• Tooth sensitivity
• Difficulty in eating
• Lack of a coherent bite
• Aesthetic issues
• Pain leading to root canal treatment in severe cases

Tooth wear, on the whole, can be prevented or at least treated with relative ease in the early stages. However, severe tooth wear is a complex subject and requires a dedicated and staged treatment process. Here is a smiling view of our patient before any treatment:
 

Our case of the month for May involves a stunning smile transformation with a combination treatment involving lingual braces, teeth whitening and porcelain veneers. Here is a photograph of the initial appearance: