How Veneers Have Evolved to Give You the Red-Carpet Smile of Today!

Veneers have the power to transform your smile in a relatively short amount of time. By placing thin porcelain shells over the front surface of your teeth, they can fix a range of dental imperfections. They are able to mask chips, cracks, discoloration, misshapes, and minor alignment issues. While veneers are currently a very popular treatment, they have actually been around since the 1920s.  Read on to discover how they have progressed over the years to finally become today’s go-to procedure for a long-lasting and natural solution for an improved smile.

Hollywood Beginnings

The first veneers were created in 1928 by a California dentist, Dr. Charles Pincus. They were used to temporarily enhance actors’ smiles during film shoots by covering imperfections. The porcelain shells were placed over their teeth using a removable adhesive. Little did Mr. Pincus know, this would quickly become a common treatment used to perfect entertainers’ smiles for the silver screen.

Veneers eventually became so popular that they appeared outside the studio sets. Movie stars began to get them bonded to their teeth for years at a time. Many celebrities switched to acrylic veneers rather than porcelain ones, although they were more likely to become damaged.

The Creation of Etching

The evolution of veneers was inevitable as people realized how it could drastically alter their pearly whites. A pivotal person in the improvement of the treatment was Dr. Michael Buonocore. He invented a process called etching in 1959. It applied acid to the surface of the teeth to make them more porous, which allowed the restorations to better adhere to them.

 Then, in 1982, the Simonsen and Calamia research group invented a way to use this method for treatments like veneers. Once the teeth were treated with the acid, a putty-like resin was put on them so it would seep into the grooves. This created a stronger bond. It also made veneers more long-lasting; people could wear them for several years before needing replacements or reattaching or repairing their existing ones.

Modern Veneers

Amazingly, the same etching and bonding methods of earlier days are still used for veneers today! Dentists use them to place high-quality, dental-grade porcelain veneers. The modern treatment now closely resembles natural teeth, are resistant to discoloration, and can potentially last for 10 – 15 years or longer.

Getting veneers during this current time is a simple process that only takes two appointments. The first one is for your dentist to prepare your teeth and take impressions; the other one occurs once your veneers have arrived from a dental lab and it’s time to have your veneers placed for your new, bright smile!

About the Practice

New Image Dentistry is eager to help you achieve the smile of your dreams through the expertise of its team of dentists. They offer a wide array of exceptional dental services all under one roof, including veneers. With a focus on patient comfort and care, as well as using state-of-the-art dental technology, your dental goals can be achieved with ease and success. To schedule a consultation, contact New Image Dentistry through its website or call (210) 804-1558.