Did you know that porcelain veneers have been around for decades? Originally, they were sought after by movie stars and models alike, but now they become more available and more affordable than ever before. As time has passed, they’ve also become superior in a variety of ways, including durability, aesthetics, and functionality! If you’re just now hearing about this, get excited, cause your cosmetic dentist sure is!
When you walk into the office to receive porcelain veneers in Houston, you’ll quickly find out that you’re in good hands. A technology as advanced as porcelain veneers should be handled by someone with years of experience. Dr. Terri Alani is the right dentist for the job!
How Porcelain Veneers Got Their Start
It all started in Hollywood around the 1920s where a dentist in California wanted to give movie stars a leg up on their appearance. The dentist, Dr. Charles Pincus, created an acrylic cap that actors wore during their scenes, which they removed after the cameras turned off. This was the first recorded instance of an individual using veneers to improve the look of their smile.
By the 1950s, porcelain veneers were being used by working people, but dentists ran into a problem. The veneers weren’t staying on properly, which made it difficult to eat or chew regularly.
That is, until another dentist by the name of Dr. Michael Bunocore created a procedure to make room for veneers to bond to. This involved lightly etching tooth surface with a mild acidic, making the bonding agent used for adhesion much more effective. By the 1980s, the modern porcelain veneer was born.
What to Expect from Veneers in 2018
There are two types of porcelain veneers to choose from: traditional veneers and minimal prep veneers, also known as Lumineers.
For traditional veneers, your cosmetic dentist in Houston will first remove a small amount of enamel to make room for the veneer, just like Dr. Bunocore did back in the day. However, your dentist will use an impression mold of your shaved tooth, so they can create a restoration that fits perfectly over your tooth. Once the veneer is created (in about two to four weeks) your dentist will make sure they fit and naturally match the rest of your teeth. With proper care, your porcelain veneers in Houston should last between 10 and 30 years, so you can smile and eat confidently!
Alternatively, minimal-prep veneers require much less enamel removal, so you can still get the smile you want without permanently affecting your natural teeth.
The Chicklet Veneer is a Thing of the Past!
One of the hurdles dentists had to overcome was the unsightly appearance that veneers used to have. They had realized their veneers were too perfect, making it obvious that they were fake. Instead, patients began asking for a more natural look, and boy did dentists respond. Dentists spend much more time crafting and placing veneers with a subtle, translucent look that match the shape of your real teeth. They also match the natural color of your teeth; people you meet won’t be able to tell the difference!
Looking to build your new smile today? You can expect a movie-star smile when you get porcelain veneers in Houston! Schedule an appointment today so we can help!
About the Author
Dr. Terri Alani, a dentist with over 30 years of experience of providing smile makeovers, believes a smile speaks when you don’t. That’s why she’s made cosmetic dentistry a focus at her practice. To help other dentists give their patients the smile they deserve, she lectures nationally on Snap-On-Smiles and appears on “Great Day Houston” to discuss dental-related topics. To learn more about her about porcelain veneers and other cosmetic treatments, contact her at (713) 621-5141 or visit her website.