Porcelain veneers are commonly used in dentistry for many different reasons. Veneers are made of medical-grade ceramic bonded to the fronts of a patient’s teeth to correct dental flaws. They are a popular choice for patients looking for a non-invasive way to improve their smile. So how did veneers come to be? Let’s look at the history of porcelain veneers in dentistry.
The First Veneers
Believe it or not, dental veneers have been around since the 1920s. The first pair was made by a California dentist named Dr. Charles Pincus who was looking for a way to give his Hollywood celebrity patients a way to improve their smiles. The first temporary veneers were made from acrylic material and were attached to the teeth using an adhesive.
Dentists Worked Hard to Get Veneers to the Masses
Dentists quickly realized that veneers would be popular among everyone, not just movie stars, so they spent the next couple of decades perfecting the materials and adhesive. The first adhesives used only made the veneers temporary, but patients wanted something more permanent.
Breakthrough in the 1950s
The adhesive problem was finally solved in the late 50s when Dr. Michael Bunocore made a significant discovery. He found that light tooth etching using a mildly acidic solution helped the adhesive bond to the surface of teeth more securely.
Porcelain Veneers Offered Affordability and Durability
In 1982, dentists found a way to attach porcelain veneers to the surface of the teeth permanently. Once this process was perfected, it became an affordable way to transform your smile completely. Over the next 30 years, porcelain veneers were perfected to the point where today’s veneers look virtually identical to real teeth. They’re able to be matched and blended perfectly to match a patient’s natural teeth.
Do you have questions about dental veneers? Make an appointment with Dr. Zola Makrauer or Dr. Julie Miller of Huntingdon Valley Dental Arts today. They can help you start the process to have an even more beautiful smile.