These are thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored material designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve their appearance. Often crafted from a type of ceramic, they are bonded to the teeth to change their color, shape, size, or length. The defining characteristic lies in the ability to receive and fit these restorations within a single visit to the dentist, utilizing advanced technologies like CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing).
The advantage of this approach rests on its time efficiency. Traditional methods require multiple appointments, involving impressions, temporary placements, and laboratory fabrication. The streamlined process reduces the overall treatment time, minimizing inconvenience for the patient. The result is a quick aesthetic enhancement, addressing imperfections such as chips, cracks, gaps, or discoloration in a more rapid fashion than previously possible. Historically, cosmetic dental procedures demanded extended timelines, which this contemporary technique aims to circumvent.