DENTAL VENEERS
Hollywood Veneers: Teeth Prepared Under Zeiss Surgical Microscope
Hollywood Veneers require the use of a surgical microscope during tooth preparation and laboratory fabrication. Tooth preparation for veneers requires precision and skill. Likewise the laboratory fabrication of these thin ceramic shells. Dr. Wright studied and latterly taught the Hollywood Veneer techinique to dentists in Orange County, California. Hollywood Veneers are now available to discerning patients in London.
The quality of veneers varies dramatically. It is like comparing fine china to earthenware.
Dental veneers have evolved significantly over the last ten years. The least sophisticated variety is where the dentist does not touch the tooth (no-prep veneers/Lumineers) but simply takes an impression (mould)and sends this to the dental laboratory who, in turn, makes porcelain laminates which are bonded onto the front of the teeth like "artificial fingernails". These tend to look bulky and false. We call those "peppermint teeth".
The most sohphisticated veneers require intricate tooth preparation and laboratory ceramic procedures (Hollywood veneers). This technique is taught at USC and UCLA in Los Angeles where Dr. Wright took his specialist training and lectures. These are the most aesthetic restorations currently available. Take a look at some of the cases below and see if you agree.
HOLLYWOOD VENEERS REQUIRE PRECISE TOOTH PREPARATION USING ZEISS SURGICAL MICROSCOPE
Los Angeles is recognised by the dental profession as being the mecca of cosmetic dentistry with three world class dental schools in the area. Driven by Hollywood, ever greater pressures are put on dentistry to provide higher levels of aesthetic treatment. If you like trivia; there is more aesthetic plastic surgery performed in the Los Angeles area than the combined amount performed in the rest of the world. ***image9***
Dental Veneers
have been evolving over the last fifteen years. During this period dentine and enamel bonding agents and techniques have become ever more sophisticated. Porcelain manufacturers have contributed to the evolution by introducing exquisite ceramics that have more vitality and greater strength. In more recent years tooth preparation and finishing techniques have seen significant modifications. The porcelain laminate veneer was conceived as a conservative restoration for masking badly discoloured or misshapened teeth.
Due to the success of this veneer restoration, several prominent aesthetic dentists in Southern California started placing veneers on the teeth of actors and models. These dentists worked with some of the best dental ceramists in the world in their quest for better and better results. I was in practice with three of these world famous dentists and taught alongside some others at UCLA Centre for Esthetic Dentistry for three years.
To create a truly excellent restoration takes skill, time and dedication on the part of the dentist and his or her dental ceramist and cooperation from the patient. American-trained prosthodontists are taught to be dental ceramists and prosthetic technicians as well as knowledgeable and skillfull clinicians. Without a comprehensive working knowledge of dental technology a dentist can never evolve beyond a certain threshold. He or she will reach a plateau and have to live with a certain level of frustration when dealing with dental laboratories and technicians. It is essential to have a on-site dental laboratory in your practice if you are to achieve optimum results for your patient and yourself. An on-site laboratory in itself is not a guarantee of success or quality however, but the absence of one does suggest something to me. I could not practice prosthodontics without one.
The Hollywood Veneer is not a static but rather a continuously evolving aesthetic treatment restoration. There is a different set of tooth preparations with associated highly sophisticated laboratory techniques. It is not a procedure than can be used on everyone. In many situations conventional veneers, ceramic crowns or combination treatments may be the preferred or only choice. I have attempted to select a few cases to demonstrate the three most common aesthetic restorations. Further discussion is speculative and of limited value without a clinical examination of the patient's dentition and occlusion (bite). If you think that I can be of service to you and address your aesthetic concerns then I'll be pleased to see you for a clinical consultation.
More Aesthetic Dentistry by Dr. Wright
