What are veneers?
A veneer is a thin shell of customized porcelain that is permanently bonded to the outside of the tooth. Sometimes they are as thin as a contact lens. Veneers are designed to improve the appearance of your smile by altering the size, shape and color of your teeth.
How long do Veneers last?
Assuming proper care, cleaning and diet, the life expectancy of veneers is typically anywhere from 10-20 years.
What are the steps in creating my veneers?
We begin with a consultation, during which I will talk with you about your dental needs and history. If you are a candidate for veneers, we will take photographs and measurements of your teeth, from which we design your veneers using a software program. We create a wax-up which is temporarily transferred to your teeth to simulate the final outcome. (Think of it as a rough draft.) Once you approve the final aesthetic, we send the design to our master ceramist to create your permanent veneers. We will then take an impression of your teeth and place temporary veneers, which you will wear for approximately two weeks while your permanent veneers are being prepared.
When your permanent veneers are ready, you’ll come back for a subsequent visit. We’ll remove the temporary veneers and bond the permanent ones onto your teeth. You’ll walk out with a brand-new smile!
Is the process of getting veneers painful?
With modern anesthesia techniques, most of the dentistry that we do is very tolerable and some patients have described it as painless. On the day of the tooth preparation, the teeth and gums are anesthetized so you will feel no pain during the procedure. You may experience some slight soreness that evening, which you can treat with over-the-counter medications like Tylenol or Advil.
Do veneers discolor?
Yes, veneers eventually discolor with age, just as your natural teeth do. However, with proper home care, porcelain veneers stand up to daily use very well.
Do veneers break or chip, and if so, can you fix them?
Veneers may occasionally chip or break, just as your natural teeth sometimes do. Sometimes a veneer can be repaired, but depending on the damage, sometimes it needs to be replaced. Our expert ceramists can match a veneer to existing veneers so there is no change to your smile after the veneer is repaired or replaced.
Can I get a veneer just on the top jaw?
Yes, it’s quite common that a patient only needs or wants a veneer for the top teeth. It all depends on your needs and desires. An initial consultation and photos will tell us whether you are a candidate for top veneers only.
Will veneers affect my speech?
No, they won’t. We evaluate your speech with the temporary veneers we install. If we notice your speech is affected, we adjust the temporary veneers until the function and aesthetics are ideal. We then copy those dimensions to your permanent veneers. In the end, you should experience no change in your speech.
Are Porcelain Veneers right for me?
It depends. If your teeth are cracked, chipped or worn, or If you would like to improve your smile by changing the size, shape or the color of your teeth, porcelain veneers may be the right solution. If you are happy with the size and the shape of your teeth but simply want to improve the color, tooth whitening may be a better option.
For answers to any other questions regarding veneers, please call our office at 212-882-1102 or book your consultation using our online appointment form.