PORCELAIN LAMINATE VENEER RESTORATIONS
Laminate veneer restorations, one of the types of dental treatment that preserves the tooth tissue as much as possible with less loss of material in the tooth tissue, is an aesthetic restoration type applied only to the front surfaces of the teeth. Laminate veneers are also known as lamina or leaf porcelain. In the application of these restorations, composite resin or porcelain (ceramic) is usually preferred as dental material. Laminate veneers are generally used in the restoration of the upper anterior teeth, but can also be used in the restoration of premolars and lower anterior teeth.

Laminate restorations can be applied in two different ways: direct and indirect. The direct technique is performed in the dental clinic by applying the composite material on the tooth tissue. In the indirect technique, the laminae are prepared on the model obtained from the patient or the fabricated laminae are adapted to the tooth and bonded (cemented) with an intermediate bonding agent (cement).

Composite resin laminates can usually be completed in a single session, whereas porcelain laminates often require at least three appointments for completion. Composite laminates are easy to apply, relatively inexpensive and can provide immediate aesthetic results. However, they have lower wear resistance and can discolor over time. Porcelain laminates, on the other hand, are frequently preferred today due to their superior mechanical and aesthetic properties and biocompatibility with living tissues.

In Which Situations Can Porcelain Laminate Veneer Restorations Be Applied?

• To close the gaps (diastema) between the teeth in the anterior region
• In cases where the individual is not satisfied with their teeth in terms of shape and form
• Worn and broken teeth
• In the presence of tooth discoloration caused by various reasons
• In teeth where cracks and irregularities on the tooth surface are common
• In crowding and curvatures up to a certain level

In Which Situations Should Porcelain Laminate Veneer Restorations Not Be Applied?

• Individuals with teeth clenching and grinding habits
• Teeth with excessive crowding and rotation
• In cases where there is not enough thickness of enamel tissue on the tooth tissue
• In cases of high caries tendency and poor oral hygiene
• In teeth with excessive loss of material due to fracture, wear or coronal restorations
• When there is an even closure between the lower and upper teeth

What are the Advantages of Porcelain Laminate Veneer Restorations?

• Superior aesthetic properties
• Good color stability
• Adequate mechanical properties
• Enables the removal of a minimum amount of material loss from the tooth tissue
• Better abrasion properties
• Generally no need for local anesthesia
• The procedure causes less stress to the patient
• The ability to show the individual the finished restoration in advance

What are the Disadvantages of Porcelain Laminate Veneer Restorations?

• Clinical and laboratory procedures require precise technique
• Time consuming
• Difficult to repair
• Cost

Treatment Planning and Mock-up Technique in Porcelain Laminate Veneer Restorations
In porcelain laminate veneer restorations, mock-up application is of great importance in the treatment planning of the patient in order to provide smile design or, in other words, smile aesthetics. In the mock-up technique, with only an impression taken from the patient’s mouth, it is possible to see the result of the procedures that will be performed on the individual’s teeth without touching the teeth before starting the treatment. Thanks to the mock-up technique, the finished restoration is shown to the individual in his/her mouth and feedback is provided.

How are Porcelain Laminate Veneer Restorations Applied?
First of all, the patient’s gingival health should be ensured. If the individual has external discolorations and tartar, necessary treatments should be applied. In addition, if the gums are uneven or deformed, this should be corrected appropriately.

After the preparations have been completed, the color of the restorations to be made is selected and the treatment is started. Only a very small amount (0.3 mm -1.0 mm) of the front surface of the teeth to be restored is cut, which is called preparation. Then, two different impressions are taken from the patient. The first impression is taken to make a temporary restoration for the patient until the final restorations are completed and the temporary restoration is applied to the patient on the same day. With the second impression taken for the construction of porcelain laminates, a plaster model is obtained and the laboratory phase begins.

Since the restorations that will be made are thin, precise work is required in the laboratory. The selected ceramic material is produced precisely. It is then rehearsed in the patient’s mouth. The aesthetic appearance of the patient’s mouth is evaluated and the patient’s opinion is taken. It is important that the dental technician accompanies the physician at this stage. The technician corrects the areas that need to be corrected and if everything is OK, the porcelain is sent to the laboratory for finishing.

The final stage is the bonding of the porcelain laminate veneer onto the tooth surface. This stage requires very precise work.

What should be considered after porcelain laminate veneer restorations are applied and how should the restorations be maintained?
The individual should avoid impacts and traumas that will also damage their natural teeth. Habits such as nail biting and pen biting should be stopped. The care of the restorations is no different from the care of the patient’s own natural teeth. Through good oral care practiced regularly by the patient (brushing the teeth twice a day with the correct technique, using dental floss to clean the interfaces of the teeth and using mouthwash), they can last for many years. The patient should visit the dentist regularly (every six months), as they should normally do.