While none of us have perfect teeth, we do see many celebrities and even people we know with perfect smiles. How did they get that way? What did they do differently? It could be that they brush three times daily and floss once a day. Yet we have all seen the people who take terrific care of their teeth and still end up with teeth they don’t love.

Imagine walking into a room and actually lighting it up with your smile. When the photographer says cheese, you actually show those pearly whites. After years of complaining about your teeth now is the time to take control of your mouth. Zero reduction veneers may be the answer you have been looking for.

What Are Zero Reduction Veneers?

Veneers help improve your smile if you have gaps, discoloring of the teeth, chips, or even misalignment. With regular veneers the procedure includes the dentist removing parts of the enamel from your teeth. This enables the dentist to fit the new veneers over your real teeth. So what is different about Zero reduction veneers?

Normally veneers measure approximately .4 to .8 mm in length. Some veneers such as Lumineers, though, only measure .3 to .5 mm. What does this mean? This means that the thin veneers allows for a no reduction process on your teeth. When using the ultra thin veneers, the dentist would not have to shave off any tooth enamel.

Who is the Best Candidate?

While you may be reading this and think this is the right option for you, you may want to think again. Many dentists are particular as to who is a good candidate or good fit for the zero reduction veneer procedure. Most dentists follow similar rules and other may go a stricter route.

The first question the dentist will ask himself is if this approach will bring forth the most optimal results for you. This would not only deal with how the teeth will look afterwards, but also how they will feel. Every aspect must be considered.

A good candidate may have smaller teeth, where the slim veneers will fit easily with good results. He or she may also have small gaps or spaces in between the teeth. This would allow for an easier fit as well.

Some other preferences for the best candidate would be:

• Minimal discoloring of teeth
• No buck teeth
• Nearly straight teeth

So it seems that the best candidate may not have the perfect smile, but he should be near perfect for better results.

What Are the Benefits?

The biggest benefit of using a zero reduction veneer approach is Zero Reduction. The dentist will not have to reduce the tooth enamel. Since the dentist will not have to reduce the teeth, this may also mean that there will also be no need for drilling. Drilling is usually why people avoid the dentist. Imagine getting to a dentist appointment and knowing that there will be no drilling?

If there is no drilling, then more likely than not there will also be no need for an anesthetic. Anesthetics are given by needles. Another reason people avoid the dentist is because of needles. What a nice perk not to get a needle at the dentist.

Custom crafted to fit the tooth they are intended to repair, inlays and onlays can be made from metal, porcelain or composite resin. Because of their natural tooth-like color, porcelain or composite inlays and onlays are often used as replacements for metal fillings in patients who are particularly concerned about the appearance of their teeth.

Inlays and onlays are usually applied over the course of two dental appointments. At your first visit, your tooth will be prepared for the inlay or onlay and an impression will be taken from which the final restoration will be made. You will be fitted with a temporary restoration that will stay in place until your permanent replacement is ready. Your second visit will involve the final bonding of your permanent inlay or onlay to your tooth’s surface.

Who Needs Them?

Since inlays and onlays can be used for both treatment and replacement purposes, there are two groups of candidates for this type of tooth restoration.

First, individuals with highly noticeable metal fillings may wish to consider inlays or onlays as replacements in order to enhance the appearance of their teeth. Because both porcelain and composite resin are extremely natural-looking (and are available in several shades to match your tooth color), restorations made from these materials are less noticeable and can improve your appearance overall.

Furthermore, many dentists now recommend replacing amalgam fillings with a composite or porcelain alternative for reasons that go beyond just cosmetic concerns. First, amalgam can expand and contract, causing the tooth to either become more susceptible to breakage as it expands, or allowing harmful bacteria to enter the tooth and cause further decay as it contracts. Second, there is some concern in the dental community about the long-term safety of amalgam (mercury) fillings. The American Dental Association acknowledges these concerns, but reports that “the major U.S. and international scientific and health bodies, including the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organization, among others have been satisfied that dental amalgam is a safe, reliable and effective restorative material.” Still, some notable dental care providers like Hal Huggins, whose criticisms of amalgam fillings were featured on 60 Minutes, insist that the mercury in amalgam fillings is absorbed by the body and can contribute to serious neurological problems. If you are concerned about possible complications related to your metal fillings, inlays or onlays made of porcelain or composite can be effective replacements.

More routinely, inlays and onlays are used to repair mild to moderate tooth decay and damage and to prevent further decay by sealing the tooth permanently. Individuals with moderately severe cracks, chips or cavities are good candidates for inlays or onlays.

Benefits

Inlays and onlays allow your dentist to preserve more of your natural tooth. While crowns require extensive tooth preparation that can traumatize the root and surrounding gum tissue, inlays and onlays involve only surface preparation.

Inlays and onlays also add strength to the teeth. According to André V. Ritter, DDS in the Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry, whereas traditional fillings can weaken the tooth and make it more prone to breakage, inlays and onlays provide added durability and improved bite strength. In fact, many dentists who perform this type of restoration claim that teeth restored with inlays or onlays are able to withstand up to 75% more chewing force. Unlike metal fillings, porcelain and composite inlays and onlays do not expand or contract. So, they offer a more effective, longer-term solution for tooth decay.

Risks

Few risks are associated with the placement of inlays and onlays. Because little preparation is involved, the risks of a reaction to local anesthesia are minimized. In a few cases, patients experienced allergic reactions to the materials used in inlays and onlays. If this happens, an alternative material may be used.

The Bottom Line

Whether you are concerned about aesthetics, are worried about the potential health effects of metal fillings, or simply prefer a more conservative treatment approach, inlays and onlays offer an attractive, highly effective solution for restoring mildly to moderately decayed or damaged teeth. More durable than fillings and free from the uncertainties surrounding amalgam fillings, inlays and onlays are a win-win for the health and appearance of your smile.