What is dental laminate and what it is used for?

Dental laminate is a thin shell in 5mm or 6mm diameter that is placed over the front surface of the teeth, making them more beautiful.This thin shell which is designed precisely based on the shape of each individual's teeth, is bonded only to the front surface of the teeth and it is very effective in changing the shape and form of the teeth and making them more beautiful.

Dental laminate is considered as one of the new restorative and cosmetic approaches for teeth.This method, also known as dental veneer, is used to improve the appearance of teeth that are discolored and bad shaped or have a big gap between them or if the enamel is cracked and fractured. Dental laminate is a thin, ceramic shell that changes the color, shape and size of the teeth. Today dentistry has been able to treat any oral and dental malformations and problems with its recent progress. Restorative dentistry today has been a great help for beautifying the teeth. In the meanwhile , Iranian dentists have been ranked first in the field of cosmetic and restorative dentistry in the region by presenting the latest methods and techniques for teeth beautification and restoration including crown, dental implants, laminate and scaling and etc.

What types of laminates are there?

Based on their material, laminates are made in two types of porcelain and composite each with its own features. Composite Laminate: In composite laminate, the surface of the tooth is less trimmed ,Therefore less manipulation is done in the enamel. This dental laminate is less expensive than porcelain laminate and has a lower color stability. Porcelain laminate: More expensive than composite laminate, but lasts longer and has a more beautiful appearance.The use of porcelain laminates is more common than composite because it has a higher colour stability and more durability.These dental veneers are made of very thin ceramic layers that are a good alternative to enamel. What is most important in veneers is the proper and secure attachment of this ceramic layer to the enamel, which must be performed by a qualified doctor. In addition to their aesthetic aspect, dental laminates play an important role in the strength of the teeth . Therefore, placing them should be done in good proficiency and accuracy. It is not always necessary to trim the surface of the teeth to place over the laminate , rather the dentist can provide a suitable place for dental laminate by making minor changes to the natural teeth. Then a light-sensitive resin is placed between the orginal tooth and the laminate so that it can be hardened by special radiation after the dental laminate is placed over. The laminate is made specifically and individually for each person and based on the shape of their teeth. Therefore, one cannot distinguish between the laminates and the original teeth. However, it is not recommended for those with healthy teeth to use this method, as the enamel surface is shaved into thin layers every time. Laminates are made from special materials with modern technology and are resistant to all kinds of food and drink stains such as coffee and tea and even cigarette smoke. Fortunately, with the use of dental laminate, it is possible to change the color of the tooth from dark and yellow to white. This restorative procedure has greatly helped those with asymmetric and discolored teeth to restore a beautiful smile.

Who is not recommended to have dental laminate?

Those who have healthy teeth and have no structural problems in their teeth
Those who are used to teeth grinding and clenching should not use this method.The best option for these people is to use crowns.
Those who have a highly interest in sour or acidic food and those suffering from joint disorders.
Those who neglect caring for their oral and dental health
Those whom their enamel is abraded excessively

The advantages of dental laminate

Dental laminate placing process in only two sessions
High resistance
Colour stability
Extremely natural and astonishing beauty of the teeth
No need for anesthesia

How is dental laminate placed?

Fabrication and placing the dental laminate is done in 2 sessions. In the first session, the dentist will first examine your teeth and then take pictures from your jaw and teeth to examine their texture ,position, color and size and Introduce you the best treatment method. If the laminate method is not good for you, your doctor will suggest other options such as crown, bonding, orthodontics or tooth whitening. After detailed examination and studying all the aspects, the dentist will make the intended preparation on your teeth and make a cast of the teeth of your upper and lower jaw. Note that even if you want to repair and laminate the teeth of one jaw, a cast should be made from both of your jaws. The casts are then sent to a special laboratory which is responsible for the fabrication of dental laminate and there the laminates are made of thin shell of ceramic. These laminates are crystal, glossy and very similar to your natural teeth. In the second session, which is usually 7 to 10 days after the first session, the fabricated laminate is placed on your teeth and is bonded to the surface of your teeth with a special tooth glue called resin cements. This bond is so strong that after lamination, the teeth come together seamlessly, smoothly and without any unevenness or gaps in between. the difference between a veneer (dental laminate) and a crown is the surface of the tooth that is covered. Only the front surface of the tooth is covered in veneer while the crown covers the entire tooth.