cosmetic dentistry / porcelain veneers / porcelain laminates / dental veneers

After you have read through our topic's pages you may find that you want to confer with your dentist about the types of cosmetic changes can be made for your teeth. While we have chosen to use the term "porcelain veneers" here in our discussion, your dentist may be more familiar with, and therefore typically use, other equivalent terminology. Just so you aren't confused during your consultation with your dentist, here is a brief review of some of the various terms that might be used when discussing cosmetic dentistry.

What is dental bonding?

A dentist might use term "dental bonding" to refer to either a specific dental procedure, a dental technique, or else a general category of cosmetic dentistry procedures.

A) Dental bonding - the technique.

The term "dental bonding" can be used to refer to a type of dental technique. When used this term simply means that the dental materials being utilized with the technique have the capability to create a strong bond with tooth structure (dental enamel and dentin). Placing porcelain veneers, the topic of our pages here, utilizes dental bonding technique, but so does the placement of white fillings, which is an entirely different procedure.

B) Dental bonding - the procedure.

A dentist may choose to use the term "dental bonding" to refer specifically to that cosmetic dentistry procedure where white filling material (not a thin porcelain shell) is bonded onto the front side of a tooth so to create a cosmetic change.

While both this procedure and the porcelain veneer procedure we describe here on our pages can achieve a similar end result they are not the same. The tooth covering that is bonded into place with each of these respective procedures is composed of substantially different materials (plastic vs. porcelain).

C) Dental bonding - a subcategory of cosmetic dentistry.

The term "dental bonding" can also be used to refer any cosmetic dentistry procedure that utilizes dental materials that have bonding capabilities (can bond to tooth enamel and dentin). When the term is used in this way, porcelain veneers and dental bonding (the procedure) are both types of cosmetic dental bonding, yet each are still separate procedures.

Which is the proper term: porcelain veneers, porcelain laminates, dental veneers, tooth laminates, bonding laminates?

When used as dental terminology the terms "veneers" and "laminates" simply refer to dental restorations that repair or replace the surface aspect of a tooth. When used in reference to cosmetic dentistry, veneers or laminates would be any dental restorations that are used to resurface the front side of a tooth so to make a cosmetic improvement in its appearance.

As dental bonding technique has progressed and improved over the years several different materials have been used to create dental veneers. Initially veneers were created by applying a layer of white filling material to teeth. This procedure is still common place. There was a time when dentists utilized preformed plastic shells, however this type of laminate has fallen out of favor. The most recent advance in veneering technique is the use of thin shells of porcelain, the process we describe here on our pages.

So, what term should be used?

If you want to talk with your dentist about making a cosmetic change for a tooth by way of bonding a thin porcelain shell over its front side (as we discuss on our pages), you should use the term "porcelain veneers," or equivalently "porcelain laminates," or most formally "porcelain laminate veneers."

Of course being specific may not be the best approach. While placing porcelain type laminates usually will result in the nicest cosmetic end results, if used in the wrong situations these laminates can be most unforgiving (such as those instances where they come off or break). Maybe it's best to know a lot but pretend that you don't. You may influence your dentist's best judgement by expressing a desire for a specific procedure. Possibly it would be better to just mention that you feel you need a cosmetic change. Let your dentist run through all of the pros and cons of each of the different cosmetic techniques that are available. This way the two of you can, for certain, select the approach that's best for your specific situation.