Dental veneers have been glamorized pretty much since their inception in the late 1920’s! Since then, they’ve gone on to enhance the smiles of stars like Morgan Freeman and Tom Cruise, and their popularity shows no signs of slowing down. Whoever invented them must be proud to have made such a big mark on cosmetic dentistry, right?

Keep reading, and you’ll learn exactly who came up with the idea of dental veneers – as well as what advancements got them to where they are today.

Destined for Fame

Dr. Charles Pincus had quite an interesting career as a dentist, mostly because he was the professional of choice for many actors and actresses! Having imperfect teeth was alright if the camera was only filming a wide shot, but closeups tended to be more unforgiving.

Dr. Pincus needed a way to temporarily alter his patients’ smiles and give them that extra “wow” factor. Using acrylics, he fashioned several tooth-like shells and adhered them to his patient’s teeth. Thus, the very first dental veneers were born!

Bringing Veneers to The Audience

In the beginning, however, dental veneers weren’t ideal for general audiences. They only lasted for about an hour or two, making it a difficult investment for many patients to justify. Veneers continued to be popular among Hollywood stars but wouldn’t make their public debut until 1959.

This is when Dr. Michael Buonocore came on the scene. He discovered that by using a mildly acidic compound, he could “etch” surface enamel to have a more ideal texture for adhesion. This seemingly simple change significantly increased the veneer lifespan, proving once again that there are no small roles – just small cosmetics!

Improving the Process

From there, dental veneers continued to improve in leaps and bounds. Drs. R.J. Simonsen and J.R. Calamia developed an even more effective etching technique in 1982, and porcelain materials became favored over acrylics for their durability and tooth-like shine. Today, you can receive beautiful dental veneers that are customized to fit and fill your unique smile. Just ask your dentist!

About the Author

Dr. Peter Pate is a highly experienced dentist, and is skilled with many types of treatments, including dental veneers. If you’re interested in this glamorous dental cosmetic, he’ll be happy to meet with you for a consultation and create your ideal set of veneers! To contact Dr. Pate’s office, call 404-266-9424.