Now is the time when not only celebrities can afford a Hollywood smile. Thanks to the rapidly developing technologies in the field of dentistry! Make onlays quickly, painlessly and sparingly for the enamel, but as a result, you will want to smile broadly all the time. Actually, there is only one problem - choice. We will deal with an expert what veneers, lumineers, componers are and in what situation each type of onlay is suitable.
Vladimir Shipkov
Chief Physician and Owner Dr. SHIPKOV dental clinic
The choice of the type of onlay depends on the nature of the problems and the patient's financial capabilities. For minor defects, choose Lumineers. It makes sense to eliminate more serious color and shape violations with veneers. Ceramic and porcelain laminates are strong, durable and incredibly attractive. They have color, texture and even gloss that are comparable to natural ones. Composite overlays are far behind them in this regard.
It should be understood that the installation of overlays is contraindicated in cases of severe bite pathologies, the presence of caries, bruxism (unconscious teeth clenching), and other pathological processes and diseases. Their installation is possible only after the elimination of these problems. The aesthetic attractiveness of a smile after the installation of linings directly depends on the technologies and materials, the equipment used and the qualifications of the specialist. Against this background, preference should be given only to proven dental centers with an impeccable reputation.
Lumineers, veneers and compositors are onlays, they help not only to correct the color and shape of the teeth, but also perform protective, camouflaging, restorative, alimentary functions. Lumineers and veneers are referred to as micro-prostheses, and composes are referred to as artistic restorations.
Veneers
The most aesthetically pleasing onlays made of porcelain, ceramic or composite material, with a thickness of 0.2 to 0.5 mm They replace the outer layer of the tooth, which in most cases has to be ground down for correct installation. This means that usually the installation of veneers requires the removal of enamel and partially deeper dental tissues. Installation indications:
- cracks, chips, shells;
- crooked teeth;
- abnormal interdental space;
- wedge-shaped defects;
- fabric wear (no more than II degree);
- cracks and gaps between teeth;
- dark spots.
The minimum service life of ceramic and porcelain veneers is 5 years, composite veneers - about three to four. The first ones are very durable and amazingly realistic, they cannot be distinguished from real teeth. Composite variations are inferior to them in strength and have more mediocre aesthetic qualities, but they are also much cheaper.
Lumineers
Lumineers (original Lumineers) is a technology for the production of ultra-thin (up to 0.2 mm thick) veneers, developed and patented by the American company Cerinate. The restorations of this company alone have the legal right to be called Lumineers, but the name has long become a household name. Now this is the name for any super-thin veneers. If we are talking about original lumineers, it should be understood that they are ordered only in America. Domestic counterparts are the same veneers, but less thick. Installation of lumineers is shown in the following cases:
- correction of minor defects;
- dentition modeling in order to create a perfect smile;
- degree I fabric wear.
The key difference between lumineers and classic microprostheses is the absence of the need to prepare dental tissues during the installation process, which became possible due to the minimum thickness. Non-invasiveness, unprecedented high aesthetic qualities and phenomenal durability (service life reaches 20 years or more) make such linings out of competition.
Composers
These are onlays that are created directly on the teeth, applying a composite material in layers. The thickness of the elements varies within 0.5 millimeters, which is comparable to the parameters of veneers. But that's where the similarities end. In terms of aesthetic and physical properties, componers are significantly inferior to veneers. Their service life does not exceed three to four years. Composite restorations are indicated in the following cases:
- correction of the shape of 1-2 teeth;
- correction of the enamel shade;
- elimination of minor orthodontic disorders.
Another key difference between composite restorations and ceramic and porcelain restorations is the high likelihood of leakage. This means that pigmentation and secondary caries may appear along the perimeter of the patch over time.
