RCS condemns ‘porcelain pornography’
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- Published: Saturday, 17 December 2011 20:14
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| Some dental patients are having unnecessary, expensive and aggressive restorative treatment for minor cosmetic problems because porcelain crowns and veneers are being overused, warns Martin Kelleher in July’s edition of the Faculty Dental Journal (FDJ). The opinion piece, Porcelain Pornography. Which will arouse controversy in the profession can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/6ynk6ls
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The article highlights concerns felt within the dental profession about these popular treatments, reporting that patients can suffer with long term problems including dead teeth, after these invasive, supposedly “cosmetic” treatments. Tooth preparation for porcelain or ceramic veneers removes between 3 and 30% of tooth structure while 62-73% of structure is removed when teeth are treated with ceramic crowns.
The opinion piece, Porcelain Pornography, asserts that the destruction of relatively sound tooth structure (enamel and dentine) to prepare teeth for veneers or crowns can rarely be justified for minor cosmetic or wear problems. There is limited evidence of long-term benefits in these circumstances of brittle porcelain veneers. Available research suggests that after 10 years about 50% of veneers are either no longer present, have had further treatment or are no longer in a satisfactory condition.
Senior dentists are concerned that fitting porcelain veneers or crowns, on mainly sound teeth, has become so widespread that it is sometimes considered a ‘normal’ treatment for those patients who might benefit from more conservative restorative treatments like bleaching and bonding. They add that pressure from patients and the media as well as the opportunity for financial gain, should not cloud a dentist’s decision to recommend treatment which could have a detrimental effect on a patient’s long-term dental health. Best Ukrainian Wives Dating Websites https://genuinelovers.com/ . Best Dating Websites To Find Your Love.
Mr Martin Kelleher, Consultant in Restorative Dentistry and author of FDJ opinion piece, said: “All clinicians should place the long-term health of their patients first. Porcelain veneers have their place in responsible restorative dentistry when provided by suitably trained and qualified individuals but I believe that other safe and proven cosmetic treatments, like bleaching and bonding, should be considered before the destructive ones. Patients must understand that extensive porcelain veneer or crown treatment is not a risk free shortcut to a perfect smile.”
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