Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin, semi-translucent restorations made of high-strength feldspathic or glass ceramics, applied only to the front (labial) surface of the teeth with a thickness of 0.3 to 0.7 mm. They represent a "biomimetic" smile design discipline aimed at correcting color, shape, and alignment without compromising the tooth's natural integrity.
Treatment Processes:
Micro-Preparation: A minimal reduction, as thin as a contact lens, is performed on the tooth surface; in most cases, the back of the tooth remains untouched.
Digital Precision Impression: Prepared surfaces are scanned with 3D intraoral scanners to create a digital dataset for a micrometric fit at the gumline.
Provisional Mock-Up: Patients are not left without teeth; a physical copy of the planned design is temporarily applied for aesthetic confirmation.
Robotic Manufacturing (CAD/CAM): Custom veneers are either milled from high-aesthetic ceramic blocks or pressed in specialized furnaces using computer-aided systems.
Bio-Adhesive Bonding: The ceramic veneers are chemically bonded to the tooth enamel using specialized light-cured systems, becoming an integral part of the natural tooth structure.
Benefits and Advantages:
Elite Aesthetics: Their light translucency is identical to natural enamel, providing a vibrant and deep appearance instead of an "artificial white."
Color Stability: The porcelain surface is smooth and non-porous; it never changes color due to external factors like smoking, tea, or coffee.
Minimum Tooth Reduction: Since the entire tooth is not ground down, the overall health and vitality of the tooth are preserved at a maximum level.
Superior Durability: Despite their thinness, once bonded to the enamel, they gain incredible strength and create a surface more resistant to wear than natural teeth.