In 2018, veneers are a highly aesthetic and hassle-free way of repairing and improving your smile – it’s fair to say they have come a long way since their beginnings back in the 1930s…..
A little bit about where veneers came from…
The birth of veneers actually occurred in the star-studded world of Hollywood, where certain actors had failed to take care of their teeth and consequently needed something to embellish their smiles on-screen. The answer came in 1930, when Californian dentist Charles Pincus created the earliest and most basic version of his veneers. It is thought that the term ‘Hollywood Smile’ was coined off the back of the inception of veneers.
These early versions were not designed to bond to the tooth for long, simply for the duration of the filming and meanwhile, it had become obvious to dentists that veneers could fulfil a much wider use, though their design would have to evolve. In 1982, dentists became aware that they could etch porcelain veneers with hydrofluoric acid which they believed would achieve permanent bonding. The etching process also allowed dentists to create a restoration that was a better fit amongst a patient’s existing teeth, as they could remove some of the tooth enamel to ensure the veneer did not protrude beyond the other teeth.
The improvements in design, materials and bonding agents mean that it is now reasonable to expect a veneers to last between 10-30 years – the latter if properly looked after.
Why restore a tooth with veneers?
- Benefit from a natural-looking solution – porcelain veneers have a finish that resembles that of a real tooth, so your friends won’t even notice that you’ve had a veneer fitted!
- Veneers are a custom solution – your dentist will consider factors such as your hair colour, eye colour and natural tooth shade before creating your veneer, to ensure it is as bespoke and authentic-looking as possible and in-keeping with the aesthetics of your smile and face.
- Boost your confidence – veneers will help you learn to love your smile again. If the tooth you are having treated is part of the ‘social six’ (those most visible when you smile), this can impact upon your desire to smile and in turn, affect your wellbeing.
If you would like more information about veneers or indeed cosmetic dentistry at Cliftonville, please do not hesitate to contact us.