History of Porcelain Veneers
Even the most diligent dental patient can be displeased with certain elements of his or her smile. If cracked, chipped, or discolored teeth make you feel self-conscious about your appearance, you could benefit from porcelain veneers at our Corpus Christi, TX practice.
Unlike other dental treatments with a long history, such as dentures or bridges, porcelain veneers are relatively new. They have only been around since the early 1900s.
Here, Drs. Perry Orchard explores the short history of porcelain veneers.
A Quick Look at Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin, but ultra-strong, fabrications crafted from several layers of medical-grade ceramic. Once affixed to the front surfaces of the teeth, veneers can camouflage many aesthetic concerns.
In general, placement of porcelain veneers takes two office visits to complete: one to prepare the teeth and one to place the veneers.
Porcelain in Dentistry
For centuries, people have looked for ways to enhance the appearance of their smile. Ancient civilizations replaced missing teeth with wooden pegs, seashells, and animal bone.
The Egyptians used vinegar and pumice to remove dental stains.
Porcelain emerged in dentistry around 1770 as doctors searched for a way to make dentures look more natural.
In 1903, the first “porcelain jacket crown” was created by Charles Lund.
Charles Pincus: The Father of Porcelain Veneers
By 1928, the film industry in Hollywood was booming. As actors and actresses landed roles on the silver screen, directors soon had a need for smile enhancement.
As a result, Dr. Charles Pincus came up with the idea of attaching porcelain shells to the teeth using a denture adhesive.
The aesthetic results were positive, but these early veneers would only stay in place for an hour or two before falling off.
The Development of the Dental Etching Technique
Over the next 30 years, celebrities continued to wear veneers. However, they could only wear them temporarily, as there was no a solution to keep them in place long-term.
In 1959, a dentist named Michael Buonocore introduced the concept of dental etching. This procedure involves applying a mild acidic solution to the surfaces of the teeth.
This creates a more porous surface and helps keep restorations in place. This remains one of the most important advances in the field of dentistry to date.
Simonsen and Calamia
In 1982, Drs. Simonsen and Calamia combined Buonocore’s dental etching procedure with the application of composite resin. They discovered that if the tooth was etched with hydrofluoric acid and the veneers were bonded to the tooth with composite resin, then the veneer could stay in place for several years before requiring replacement.
While porcelain veneers were previously reserved for celebrities and the elite, this innovation made porcelain veneers more available to the general public.
Modern Veneers in Cosmetic Dentistry
Today, we combine the discoveries of Pincus, Buonocore, Simonsen, and Calamia with high-quality, stain-resistant ceramic. As a result, today’s porcelain veneers mimic the translucency of natural teeth for lifelike outcomes.
Learn More about Porcelain Veneers
Are you self-conscious about your smile? Porcelain veneers could be the solution. To learn more about custom veneers, schedule a visit to our practice.