In the past, veneers weren’t as common on the streets as they were on the red carpet, gracing the smiles of stars like Judy Garland and Bob Hope. However, today, you don’t have to be a superstar to walk into your dentist’s office and get the smile of your dream. In fact, it’s not uncommon for people who chipped a tooth to invest in a durable veneer to enhance its appearance for decades to come. So, what changed since their conception and foray into the dental world in 1928 to now? Read below to find out.
The Concept of Veneers Go Way Back
Many people are surprised to learn that even in ancient and Medieval times, people were using ivory and animal bone, and even the teeth of deceased ancestors to restore and replace teeth. This is the starting line of most dental treatments that your family dentist offers today, ranging from dental bridges and dentures to veneers. Without these innovative advancements from people in ancient Egypt and indigenous communities across the globe, who knows where dentistry would be today!
Dental Veneers Hit Center Stage in the 1920s
While the concept of dental restorations goes way back, it wasn’t until 1928 that Dr. Charles Pincus, a pioneer in cosmetic dentistry who earned himself the nickname “Dentist to the Stars,” created the dental veneer as a means of improving the smiles of Hollywood movie stars. The goal was to make their smile camera-ready as soon as they entered on set. However, at this time, veneers were completely temporary, allowing the actors to remove them as soon as their day was over. The veneers were loose-fitted and temporarily attached to the surface of their teeth using a basic adhesive.
Moving from Temporary to Permanent Veneers
Fast forward 30 years when Dr. Michael Buonocore started experimenting with veneers and greatly improved their quality, durability, and longevity. He began using special bonding and etching techniques to attach the veneers to natural teeth, allowing them to have a stronger hold. Then, in the 1980s, two dentists by the names Dr. Simonsen and Dr. Calamia further improved the adhesive technique by using composite resins and other ingredients, like hydrofluoric acid.
Modern Techniques & Materials Make Veneers a Worthy Investment
Today, dental veneers are known to provide near-permanent results due to their lifespan of 20 or more years with good dental hygiene and maintenance. Utilizing highly durable adhesives in addition to high-quality materials like porcelain and ceramic, veneers are able to withstand daily chewing and use as well as resist staining. This means that once they’re secured to the front surface of teeth, patients are able to trust that they’ll remain there for years to come, allowing them to forget all of their aesthetic dental flaws.
Due to increased accessibility of high-quality dentistry and streamlined training for cosmetic dentists, most people can receive dental veneers from their regular dentist today. This makes the treatment much more convenient, affordable, and overall accessible!
About the Author
Dr. Rafiq Hirji has over 10 years of experience practicing dentistry under his belt and has spent most of that time sharpening his skills in cosmetic dentistry. He loves being able to help his patients smile with greater confidence and ease, which is why he offers several transformative aesthetic-focused services like veneers. For questions or to schedule a consultation, visit Daily Smiles MacArthur Dental & Orthodontics’ website or call 972-546-4114.