Taking dentistry further
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 7th March 2022
Cosmetic dental procedures, such as veneers, have gained traction in recent years, and you may have experienced many of your patients coming to you with various desires and expectations about the treatment. However, every patient has different needs and requirements, so it’s crucial that you have a sufficient range of options available to offer them.
Veneers, a vastly popular cosmetic dental procedure, can be made from several different materials that vary in cost, durability and aesthetics. By having a better understanding of these materials, you can produce more reliable and successful outcomes. You can keep up-to-date on the latest techniques, materials and information on particular treatments through several training avenues, such as hands-on courses, which will help you perform procedures in your own practice with more confidence and a higher chance for reliable outcomes.
The right choice for patients
The type of veneer material that you use may be dependent on several criteria – they may be looking for durable, highly-aesthetic veneers and are happy to pay more in order to achieve this. Others may be happy with a more cost-effective option that will still give them aesthetic results, just with less durability. A ceramic material such as porcelain is incredibly durable and visually-appealing, with various studies[i] [ii] noting its excellent visual outcomes and predictable longevity. For patients with mainly aesthetic motives, porcelain can be a suitable option due to its semblance to ‘natural’ teeth. However, porcelain veneers can be more costly than other materials and, should they become damaged, can be a challenge to repair and may need replacing in certain cases.
A study[iii] aimed to compare patients’ opinions of the cosmetic improvement between composite and porcelain veneers – the researchers noted that the participants showed a preference for the composite veneers. This option may certainly be feasible for patients who are concerned about the cost and intensity of veneer treatment, as composite veneers are minimally invasive and can usually be completed in one visit.[iv] While composite veneers can last up to ten years with good oral hygiene habits, they are susceptible to cracks and discolouration. However, composite veneers can be repaired and replaced should they become damaged – this element of reversibility may be appealing to patients who don’t want their natural teeth drastically altered.
Because composite resins are versatile, they can help you expand your treatment capabilities and help you develop new skillsets. As well as veneers, composite resins can be used for other restorative indications, such as composite edge bonding. For patients with certain oral defects, such as diastema or asymmetrical tooth shapes, composite edge bonding is a viable, economical option. Introducing and optimising composite resin into your workflow could be a learning curve for you, therefore by undergoing additional training, you’ll be able to implement it successfully into your practice.
Dentistry is always progressing, so staying in-the-know is a constructive way to learn new skills, develop current ones and deliver higher-quality outcomes for your patients.
Prioritise progress
Expanding your knowledge will benefit you, your practice and your patients in numerous ways, therefore it’s vital that you find a training pathway that best suits your needs. You may consider attending workshops, webinars or events where you can share and receive advice and guidance from other like-minded peers. You’ll want to ensure that any education programme you do attend offers support during and after your training – mentorship will help you feel encouraged and empowered in your own personal development, and help you take everything you’ve learned much further.
A hands-on course is one such mode of learning, where you can receive one-on-one support and experience a more comprehensive dive into your desired area of expertise. You’ll also be more engaged as you interact with your instructor and your peers, plus you’ll grow in confidence as you make mistakes and learn from them. IAS Academy is proud to offer the Anterior and Posterior Composite hands-on course to help delegates better diagnose, plan and successfully place posterior and anterior composite restorations. Over two days, you’ll be guided by the esteemed Dr Shiraz Khan through anterior composite restoration and posterior composite stratification. The course is suitable for all levels of experience, and will enable you to acquire a new skillset with confidence.
For patients seeking to perfect their smiles, providing a more comprehensive range of options will help you deliver treatment that best suits their needs. Acquiring further training will help you diversify your practice’s treatment options, deliver exceptional results with assurance and satisfy your patients.
For more information on upcoming IAS Academy training courses, please visit www.iasortho.com or call 01932 336470 (Press 1)
[i] Alothman, Yousef, and Maryam Saleh Bamasoud. “The Success of Dental Veneers according to Preparation Design and Material Type.” www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6311473/. 10.3889/oamjms.2018.353. Accessed 9 Dec. 2021.
[ii] Arif, Rabia, et al. “Retrospective Evaluation of the Clinical Performance and Longevity of Porcelain Laminate Veneers 7 to 14 Years after Cementation.” The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S002239131830828X. Accessed 9 Dec. 2021.
[iii] Nalbandian, S., and B. J. Millar. “The Effect of Veneers on Cosmetic Improvement.” British Dental Journal. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19629085/. Accessed 9 Dec. 2021.
[iv] Gresnigt, Marco M.M., et al. “Comparison of Conventional Ceramic Laminate Veneers, Partial Laminate Veneers and Direct Composite Resin Restorations in Fracture Strength after Aging.” https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1751616120307141. Accessed 9 Dec. 2021.
