History of Porcelain Veneers
By Louis Buono on November 01, 2018
There are many cosmetic dentistry treatment options available for patients who want to enhance the beauty of their smile. While every treatment offers its own unique benefits, none are as versatile as porcelain veneers.
Porcelain veneers cover the facial surface of the teeth to conceal imperfections and create the appearance of straight, white, beautiful teeth. Veneers routinely rank as one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments because they can address such a wide range of flaws.
Although porcelain veneers are commonly used today, they’ve only been around for a few decades. The earliest versions of porcelain veneers were developed in the late 1920s.
Here, patients can learn about the history of porcelain veneers that paved the way for Long Island, NY cosmetic dentist Louis Buono to be able to offer the strong, attractive, and durable porcelain veneers available today at his dental practice.
The Invention of Porcelain Veneers
The desire for an attractive smile is nothing new. Since ancient times, there is evidence showing that people were interested in enhancing the appearance of the smile.
But leave it to the film industry to contribute to the invention of a fast, easy “cure-all” for dental flaws. Yes, porcelain veneers were invented by a California dentist, Dr. Charles Pincus, who catered primarily to Hollywood movie stars.
Dr. Pincus needed a dental product that would alter the appearance of the smile so that his clients could appear picture-perfect in their films. In 1928, Dr. Pincus created the earliest form of the porcelain veneer, a prothesis that attached to the front of the teeth to conceal dental imperfections.
These veneers were much more temporary than those used today. Dr. Pincus attached the veneers with a special adhesive that held the veneers in place for just a short period of time.
Perfecting the Bonding Technique
After their invention, porcelain veneers were widely used in Hollywood, and it became clear that they appealed to people outside the film industry as well. The problem was finding a bonding technique that would make porcelain veneers last longer so they could be worn all the time.
In 1959, Dr. Michael Buonocore came up with the etching technique. This involved using acid on the surface of the teeth to create small grooves and holes. This created a rougher surface that could more easily bond with sealants and other dental restorations.
It wasn’t until 1982 that J.R. Calamia and R.J. Simonsen realized they could put the work of Dr. Pincus and Dr. Buonocore together to create more permanently bonded porcelain veneers.
By applying a hydrofluoric acid to the teeth, they were able to create small pores that the dental compound could seep into to create a stronger bond.
Thanks to this technique, patients were able to enjoy their porcelain veneers for many years, which helped them become a more popular cosmetic dentistry treatment.
Porcelain Veneers Today
Today, Dr. Buono uses the same etching and bonding technique to provide his patients with the most secure porcelain veneers. This, along with the superior dental materials used to fabricate the veneers, allows his patients to enhance the beauty of the smile while maintaining its strength and function.
With proper care, today’s dental patients can rely on their porcelain veneers for 10 to 20 years.