Health
By Dr. Steve Marsh
Dentists are frequently asked about the materials that are used for veneers, dental restorations that can rejuvenate a smile.
There are some wonderful choices, each with its own characteristics, with porcelain dominating the field. Though composite plastic material can be used, it is not a common choice when the entire facial – or outside – surface on the tooth needs restoration because it can chip and/or discolor when used as a thin covering. A composite is best used as a filling material or to restore a fractured tooth corner. This is why porcelain is the material of choice, as it is strong and color-stable.
A Smile with Style
There are a number of choices to be made among the various types of porcelain. Much like there are different types of countertops with unique characteristics – like Corian or quartz or marble – each has its advantages and disadvantages, though in veneer work, the differences are subtle.
Feldspathic porcelain is among the prettiest, though it is labor-intensive to fabricate and is a little less strong than the others. Other porcelains, like Empress or E-max, combine beauty and a little more strength. More recently, the use of Zirconium-type porcelain has increased; though it initially was known for its strength, recent incarnations of the material allow it to be aesthetic, as well. The Lumineer, developed by a California laboratory, is also used on occasion; it is actually a brand-name for their veneer, much like Kleenex is a brand name for facial tissue.
In any case, the choice of porcelains for veneers should be based on several factors, including aesthetics, strength and required thickness. Other influences include the colors of the teeth they are covering, the type of bite/occlusion the patient has, and the relative strength of the tooth underneath.
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