Porcelain Laminate
Laminate is the procedure of bonding thin lamina veneer to the front end of the teeth after mildly etching the surface.
It is significantly thinner than the porcelain veneers and thus is considered more advantageous.
Differences Between Porcelain Laminate and Laminate Veneers
Laminate teeth have a similar function as teeth veneers and therefore the two terms are sometimes confused or can be used interchangeably.
Laminates are in fact an improved version of porcelain veneers. Besides being thinner, in terms of function and benefit, they are almost the same.
To bond laminates, etching relatively less enamel is sufficient. It is one of their distinguishing features from the veneers. Laminates as well have a distinct appearance and look as natural as porcelain veneers. Besides, compared to porcelain veneers, laminates are more expensive.
Advantages of Porcelain Laminates
The durability of porcelain laminates highly depends on personal care. If one follows the dentist’s instructions, compared to composite veneers, laminates would last twice as long. While composite veneers last a maximum of 7 years on average, laminates could last between 10 to 15 years.
Moreover, as laminates are made in very high-temperature laboratory ovens, porcelain fragments create a strong and durable structure. Compared to laminates, composite veneers have lesser resilience.
The porcelain laminate’s structure is consist of different porcelain layers that are changed with enamel and adhesive veneer. Porcelain laminate has a less invasive procedure. Scraping the teeth during application is not required. Thus natural teeth wouldn’t be damaged. A small preparation is enough for bonding.
Even though it is an important determinant for patients to decide, when it comes to treatment, the cost of laminates and veneers should not be the main factor. Detailed information must be obtained from the dentist during consultation. Nevertheless, as far as procedure costs are concerned, it is known that tooth veneers are more expensive.