Although bonding
is the quickest way to close spaces between the teeth,
laminating with either laboratory - made composite resin or
porcelain is also an option. Although laminating takes at least
two appointments and typically costs much more than bonding, a
major advantage is the proportional accuracy that it provides.
This technique is especially effective when spaces are not
uniform.
Treatment
time Two
office visits. The teeth will be prepared and an impression made
during the first visit, which can take from one to four hours.
The laminates will be fitted and inserted during the second
visit, which may also take the same amount of time. Expect to
spend more time for more extensive treatment
Patients
Maintenance The
teeth should be professionally cleaned about three to four times
yearly. Some precautions on eating habits : as with bonding and
crowning, take special care when biting into or chewing hard
foods with your laminated teeth, since they will not be as
strong as enamel.
Results of
treatment A polished,
natural - appearing result that effectively closes spaces.
Average Range of
Treatment life Expectancy For
to twelve years.
Advantages
-
Easier
to obtain proportionate closure spaces
-
Less
chipping than bonded restorations
-
Etched
porcelain provides an extremely good bond to enamel
-
Wears
less than the composite resin laminate
-
Less
stain - less chance of color or luster loss
-
More
conservative - less tooth reduction than crowning
-
Lasts
four to twelve years as compared to plastics
-
Gum
tissue tolerates porcelain well
-
No
anesthetic usually required
-
Color
change possible
-
Less
expensive than crowning
Some
of the disadvantages
More
costly than conventional bonding, More
difficult for dentist to produce a polished surface after
contouring in the mouth, More
difficult to repair if the laminate cracks or chips, Can
be an irreversible procedure if much enamel is removed.
