With 14,000+ veneers completed, Manrina Rhode explores the balance between digital efficiency and clinical excellence in veneer treatment.
While same-day veneer technology offers exciting possibilities, Dr Manrina Rhode advocates for the irreplaceable value of proper temporisation in achieving predictable, patient-approved results.
The value of the temporary phase
Manrina emphasises the diagnostic potential of temporaries beyond simple space maintenance: ‘You can use those temporaries to gauge colour and shape before committing to final ceramics.’
The temporisation phase allows patients to trial their new smile’s colour, particularly valuable for those uncertain between bright white and ultra-white results. Using bleach shade temporaries, patients can experience how a ‘really white smile’ feels before making permanent decisions.
The 48-hour assessment
Manrina recommends evaluating temporaries 24-48 hours post-preparation, once anaesthetic has worn off and natural lip movement returns. This timing allows for honest assessment of proportions, midline positioning, and overall aesthetic harmony whilst providing sufficient time for laboratory work.
Contouring and refinement
Since temporaries are plastic-based, they can be contoured chairside using discs and polishing burs. This enables real-time adjustments to midlines, cant correction, and proportion refinement. Crucially, these modifications must consider the underlying preparation limits – extensive temporal contouring may require additional tooth preparation.
Preventing costly mistakes
The temporary phase prevents the disappointment of final fitting revelations. Rather than discovering aesthetic concerns after cementation, patients experience their new smile beforehand, ensuring satisfaction before permanent placement.
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This article is sponsored by DRMR.
