It’s no secret that people are biased towards facial attractiveness, which includes a beautiful smile. According to a review published by the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, researchers noted that humans initiate romantic, platonic, and work-based relationships based on how attractive and symmetrical a face looks. This evidence suggests that the way that your smile looks is critical to social evolutionary decisions.
Despite the prevalent desire for a radiant, balanced set of teeth, most people cannot achieve this look on their own. Cosmetic dentists apply veneers to the front of patients’ teeth to enhance the appearance of deeply stained, gapped, or disproportionate teeth. This blog discusses why veneers were developed and how they have evolved since the early 20th century.
Hollywood Origin Story
Lights, camera, veneers! Did you know that the popular phrase “Hollywood smile” is rumored to have been coined by the invention of veneers? Max Factor was a famous makeup artist and pioneer for Hollywood glamor on movie sets, photoshoots, and movie premieres. He needed an instant solution for something that makeup cannot correct: an unappealing smile. How could Factor help his movie stars achieve a straight, proportionate, and bright smile?
Dr. Pincus’s Invention
After receiving a request to alter the appearance of an actor’s teeth from Max Factor, Dr. Charles Pincus—a Californian dentist—invented the first temporary dental veneers in the 1930s. Original veneers were crafted from a thin ceramic and held in place with denture adhesive powder.
The problem was that they didn’t last very long. Directors and dentists were considered lucky if veneers lasted through filming, so they were not recommended as a durable cosmetic dentistry treatment for the general public.
Perfecting Preparation
As stated earlier, novel veneers were not a durable enhancement, so dentists experimented for decades to make them a robust and smile-perfecting solution. By preparing the teeth with enamel etching and hydrofluoric acid, dentists created a stronger bond, making veneers last much longer.
Enamel Etching
In 1959, Dr. Michael Buonocore discovered that enamel etching strengthened the bond between sealants and dental restorations. Also, lightly buffing the surface of the teeth allows veneers to fit comfortably in the mouth rather than protruding over the patient’s natural teeth.
Hydrofluoric Acid
Over 20 years later, Drs. R.J. Simonsen and J.R. Calamia made the bond stronger by applying hydrofluoric acid in etching and composite resins. Hydrofluoric acid delicately perforates enamel tissue and creates microscopic pores in the treated teeth. When dentists smear the bond compound to treated teeth, it trickles into the tiny pores and reinforces the bonding power.
Contemporary Porcelain Veneers
Luckily for us, veneers have evolved immensely over the past century and are no longer a temporary luxury for the rich and famous. Today’s porcelain veneers are available to the general public, are completely customizable, and last much longer than a single movie shoot.
Modern dentists color-match and shape veneers to appear like and blend in with natural teeth. Also, the average lifespan of porcelain veneers is 10 years. However, it’s common for them to last years longer with excellent maintenance and care.
Schedule a Consultation in Austin
At Austin Laser Dentist, Dr. Helen Ragsdale helps patients transform their smiles through various cosmetic dentistry techniques. If you would like to learn more about veneers in Austin, TX, call (512) 346-4690 or contact us online to schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience.
