The clinician recommends minimally invasive procedures such as laminates or veneers for cosmetic dental makeovers. They are porcelain/composite partial coverings used to correct visible areas of the teeth. Aesthetic modalities such as dental laminates and veneers, while both remarkable in their own right, do have significant differences.

Laminates are thin layers of restorative material that are applied to the tooth structure without or with minimal tooth preparation, preserving the natural colour of the tooth worked on.

Veneers are thicker than dental laminates and thus necessitate more tooth preparation. They are useful for changing the colour of teeth, especially in cases of severe tooth discoloration, such as tetracycline-stained teeth and endodontically treated teeth. In concept, they are similar to vitrified tiles, with a lustrous surface on top and a rough etched surface beneath that will be luted to the prepped tooth.

Using these aesthetic treatment modalities, any defect in the size, shape, colour, or irregularities in the teeth alignment, such as spacing, crowding, or overlapping of teeth, can be corrected harmoniously. There are various materials used for the same. Laminates made of composite materials, porcelain, or ceramic.

Composite Laminates

These are directly bonded laminates used for in-office aesthetic corrections. The disadvantages of such dental composite laminates are that they can absorb stains even after extensive polishing and glazing, and they are prone to chipping and cracking. They are less expensive than porcelain counterparts, but may need to be changed/redone more frequently.

Porcelain/Ceramic Laminates

They are most durable, stain-resistant, and high-end porcelain counterparts OF composite veneers. They are more expensive than composite laminates and require multiple visits to the dental office, including trial sessions, before receiving the final product. However, temporary laminates will be used until the treatment is completed. Porcelain laminates maintain the beauty and charm of the corrected smile for a long time and may need to be redone only if the laminates have been damaged over time.

Aftercare For Your Dental Laminates And Veneers

1. To refrain from biting or chewing on hard foods such as nutshells or bones.
2. To diligently practice tooth brushing habits and flossing your teeth.
3. Brush your teeth immediately after drinking red wine, coffee, or soda.

These laminates or veneers provide immediate but permanent correction of cosmetic flaws such as chipped, worn out, malformed, or misaligned teeth, or a combination of all of these.

For the correction of their misaligned teeth, most people prefer this instant cosmetic makeover option over traditional orthodontic treatments and metal brackets.