7 Laminate FAQs from Dentists

What is a laminate?

Laminate is one method of cosmetic procedures for front teeth. People who choose laminate treatment come to the clinic for a variety of reasons, from cavities, gaps between teeth, discoloration, bumpy teeth, or simply not liking the gum line.

What is the difference between a crown and a laminate?

One of the most commonly mentioned treatments with laminates is crowns. The difference is that the crown covers the entire 360 degrees of the tooth, while the laminate glues the material only to the front side. It would be easy if you think of the artificial nail tips that you do at the nail salon. However, there is no big problem if the nail tip is applied and removed several times, but once the tooth is removed through the procedure, it can never be regenerated. Therefore, if you want to laminate, you need to predict the changes after the treatment through wax up* before the treatment.

Can laminate crack?

Even teeth that are harder than the bones of our bodies can break when we bite into something hard. Since laminate is made of ceramic (ceramics), it can naturally break if you are careless. Those who have undergone laminate treatment should be careful about biting hard foods such as crab paste, apples, and squid with their front teeth.

When should the laminate be replaced?

I think the timing of replacing the laminate will depend on the state of care. Some people get a new laminate in 1~2 years, but if you take good care of it so that it doesn't crack or discolor, you can use it for 10 years or more.

Do you have any advice on laminate?

If you are considering laminate, we recommend that you consult with a specialist first. In addition to laminates, other treatments such as partial correction or crowns may be more suitable. Above all, we have more than 10 years to live with a changed tooth after a single procedure, so I think you will get a more satisfactory result if you go through a careful review from a long-term perspective instead of rushing it.