Is thinner always better? Things I consider first

Hello

I am Dr. Lee Yoon-jung, a specialist in prosthodontics at Guardians Dental Myeongdong.

Among those who visit our dental clinic in Myeongdong and receive a consultation for veneer, there is a question that is asked more often than you think.

Is it not better to apply veneer as thinly as possible? Can it be done without cutting the tooth at all?

Of course, preserving natural teeth is important.

I also consider it important not to unnecessarily remove teeth when planning treatment.

However, it is not easy to say that making veneer thinner or not removing teeth at all is always a good treatment method.

Today, I will explain the reason based on the general principles of veneer treatment in a simple way.

Veneer is not a 'thinness competition'

Veneer is a treatment that attaches a thin prosthetic to the front of the tooth to improve the color, shape, or size of the tooth.

So, you might naturally think, "Isn't it better if it's thinner?"

But everyone's current tooth condition is different.

Some people have protruding teeth, some have gaps between teeth, and some have relatively dark tooth colors.

Since the original tooth position, color, and desired tooth shape are all different, the required veneer thickness and treatment method can also vary.

Not cutting the tooth is not always the answer

For example, if the current tooth is already protruding outward and a veneer is attached on top of it, it may look more protruding or thick and bulky in some cases.

On the other hand, if the tooth is recessed or needs to be enlarged, there may be cases where the amount of tooth removal can be reduced.

Ultimately, what's important is not "how many mm were removed," but rather determining how much space is needed to create the desired appearance from the current tooth condition.

When you visit our dental clinic in Myeongdong to learn about veneer, it's better to ask why a particular treatment plan is needed, rather than just checking if it's possible without removal.

The color is also related to the thickness of the laminate

Among those considering laminates, many want to make their teeth a bit brighter.

However, if the original tooth color is dark, using a laminate that is too thin can make the existing tooth color show through.

On the other hand, if the natural tooth color is relatively bright and only needs a little correction in shape, the approach can be different.

You need to consider the desired color, natural tooth color, and transparency of the prosthesis together.

It's more important than just choosing the 'whitest color' to harmonize with your skin tone, lip color, and surrounding teeth.

I don't just look at one tooth

When designing a laminate, I don't just look at the shape of the tooth.

I check the range of teeth visible when smiling, the length and width of the front teeth, the lip line, balance with surrounding teeth, and occlusion.

The same tooth shape can look natural on one person but feel awkward on another.

So, it's essential to listen to the patient's desired image and check how much change is possible with their current teeth.

Many questions are asked during laminate consultations.

The first thing I look at is not numbers.

After checking the current tooth position, color, shape, occlusion, and the patient's desired appearance, I decide on a treatment method.

Deleting a lot of teeth is not always good treatment, and simply aiming for 'the thinnest' or 'no deletion' is not the same answer for every patient.

Those who have done DIAalign at Guardians Dental Myeongdong

At our Guardians Dental Myeongdong, if a laminate is deemed suitable for treatment, we proceed with treatment through our own brand, DIAalign, with precise diagnosis and specialist consultation.

In Conclusion

If you are looking into Myeongdong dental veneer, I hope you check not only how thin it can be made,

Why do I need this treatment plan for my teeth?

but also fully understand the reasons why.

Ultimately, I think what's important in veneer is not a fixed method, but setting up a treatment plan that suits the current state of your teeth.

As a prosthodontist, I consider setting up a treatment plan that preserves your natural teeth as much as possible and allows you to use them comfortably for a long time more important than just making white and straight teeth.

At Guardians Dental Myeongdong, I will directly explain the possible treatment methods and the reasons why they are needed during the consultation.

Thank you.

• Sincerely, Dr. Lee Yoon-jung - ▼ Columns you might also like ▼ ▼ Preview of Guardians Dental Myeongdong ▼

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NAutomatically translated from the Korean post on our Naver blog. Read the original ↗