One of the first things to understand about the porcelain used in veneers is not what you’re likely thinking of. To most of us, porcelain evokes images of china dolls, the nice dishes, and figurines in grandma’s curio cabinet. However, the term “porcelain,” derived from the Latin name for cowry shells, refers to the white color of the ceramic, not its structural properties.
Looked at this way, it’s obvious that “porcelain” is the only type of ceramic you would want used on your teeth. Why use a ceramic at all? A ceramic is probably the closest we have to replicating the appearance and structural character of our natural tooth enamel. For example, its translucency is crucial to reproducing a natural tooth appearance.
You may worry that porcelain veneers are fragile. Don’t. While some porcelain is fragile, other porcelain is terrifically strong, as is that used in porcelain veneers. It’s not a pure ceramic, but an advanced ceramic-plastic composite. As a result of the advanced material properties of porcelain veneers, studies have shown that about 96% of porcelain veneers remain intact 11 years after placement, and as much as 85% of them may be in place up to 20 years after placement!
If you want to learn more about porcelain veneers, and how they can give great-looking results for today, tomorrow, and decades to come, please contact Dentonics, Inc in Pittsburgh for an appointment.
