Dental veneers are a long-term solution to cosmetic tooth problems. They rejuvenate the appearance of your whole smile and deliver significant cosmetic improvements within a short time. Call Broadway Family Dental today and schedule an appointment with our board-certified dentist to learn more about veneers, their types, and how veneers can correct your dental flaws and provide a natural tooth shape. Dr. Ella Dekhtyar understands how a new smile can impact your self-confidence and life and creates custom-fitting, high-quality veneers for amazing results. You can look forward to regaining your confidence and an overall whiter and brighter smile.
Veneers are a great choice for people who want to keep their natural teeth but need more substantial correction than whitening. They are thin porcelain or composite resin coverings bonded to the front surface of the tooth that improve color, provide a natural tooth shape, reduce gaps, hide chips and other minor damage to teeth.
What Are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells placed on the teeth to improve their appearance. They are one of the most common cosmetic dentistry treatments and help to conceal cracks, chips, and other tooth imperfections like wear and tear from aging or short and mismatched teeth.
Dental veneers are the right choice if you are unsatisfied with how your teeth look. The fairly simple, non-invasive procedure can give you a brand new smile in as little as 2 – 3 weeks. There are several types of veneers available, depending on your specific goals.
Read on to find out more about dental veneers, their types, how they can improve the appearance of your teeth and boost your confidence and self-esteem.
How Do Dental Veneers Work?
Veneers cover the front surfaces of your teeth to enhance your smile. They work by camouflaging cosmetic flaws.
Dental veneers help hide or correct dental damage, including:
- Stains and discoloration
- Chips and small missing pieces
- Decay
- Crookedness
- Gaps between the teeth
- Smaller-than-average teeth
- Slight misalignment
They are the best choice for people who seek a long-term solution to persistent cosmetic concerns, particularly those who do not respond to other dental treatments like teeth whitening, braces, or retainers. Veneers help improve the appearance of your teeth without going for invasive, expensive dental procedures.
During the placement process, a dentist will remove a small amount of enamel, the thin protective outer covering of the teeth. Due to this, once the veneers are put in place, you cannot remove them or choose not to use them.
It is important to note that veneers are only an option if you do not have cavities and gum diseases. If you have any serious oral health issues, you must address them first before going for cosmetic treatments.
Types of Veneers
There are two types of veneers:
Porcelain
Porcelain veneers are strong, thin caps placed on the top and sides of the teeth. The dentist will remove some enamel from the tooth before bonding them. Porcelain veneers have the same color as natural teeth and can cover more discolored, malformed teeth.
They can also be made whiter to brighten a smile.
Resin-based Composite
They are similar to porcelain veneers but less expensive and require less enamel removal. At times, a dentist may not remove any enamel before placing the composite veneers. These veneers are easier to replace if broken or damaged than porcelain veneers.
The type of veneer you choose will depend on your budget, needs, and preferences. While porcelain veneers are stronger and last longer, they cost significantly more. Resin-based composite veneers are more affordable but do not last as long and may break more easily. Visit your dentist to find out more about veneers and which type would work best for you.
Which One Is the Best?
Porcelain veneers and resin-based composite veneers look similar. However, there are some key differences between the two.
Porcelain veneers are expensive, less likely to chip and fracture, and can last around 20 years if cared for properly and do not stain. Also, they require enamel removal before they can be bonded to the tooth. On the other hand, resin-based composite veneers are less expensive, usually last around 5 years, and do not require enamel removal, but they may stain over time if you are not careful.
It takes 2 to 3 appointments to fix porcelain veneers as they are more difficult to place. Fixing composite veneers is easy, and it usually takes 1 appointment to bond them.
Veneers, Crowns, and Implants – What Is the Difference?
The main difference between veneers, crowns, and implants is the area of the tooth each option covers. All these options help improve the cosmetic appearance of the teeth in their own different ways, depending on your dental and cosmetic needs.
A porcelain veneer only covers the front surface of a tooth to enhance its appearance. On the other hand, a dental crown covers the entire tooth structure, including the front, back, and all the sides, to repair broken, decayed, and damaged teeth, including teeth with little structure left. Crowns also help to strengthen the teeth they cover and protect them from further damage.
Implants are bolt-like structures surgically installed in the bone to replace a missing or broken tooth, and a crown is placed on top of that. It can take several weeks and months after the implant is placed for the area around it to heal before a replacement tooth is placed on top.
Dental veneers are a cosmetic treatment. They improve your smile but do not necessarily repair or strengthen your teeth. Dentists use crowns to restore and build up teeth that are badly damaged by trauma or decay, while implants replace missing teeth. Veneers improve the appearance of teeth that are mostly still intact and do not need extensive repair.
How Much Do Veneers Cost?
The cost of dental veneers depends on several factors, such as the type of veneers you are choosing, your area’s cost of living, the number of teeth you need to cover, and the expertise of the dentist. As veneers are considered a cosmetic procedure, most insurance companies do not cover the cost. Even if some companies pay for veneers, they will only pay a portion for cosmetic procedures.
You can expect to pay between $925 and $2,500 per tooth, according to the American Dental Association. Traditional veneers are usually the most cost-effective option in the long run. Also, you don’t have to get them on all of your teeth. If your top front teeth have noticeable defects, you can get nearly unnoticeable veneers that match the rest of your teeth to improve your smile.
The Dental Veneer Procedure – How Are Veneers Put on Teeth?
Getting veneers is a multi-step procedure that occurs over two to three visits and a couple of weeks. The process begins with an initial checkup and consultation. It also depends on the type of veneer you have chosen.
The dentist will evaluate your smile, determine whether you are a good candidate for veneers, and discuss the plan for moving ahead. If you have cavities or dental decay and need fillings or implants, these will be done first.
Porcelain Veneers
If you have chosen porcelain veneers, the dentist will first remove some enamel and take an impression of the teeth to create a mold. The mold is sent to a laboratory where custom-fit porcelain veneers will be created. Your dentist may place temporary veneers on your teeth while waiting for the permanent ones. At the next appointment, the dentist will test the veneers, check them for fit and color, and make adjustments as needed. If everything is good, they will bond the veneers to your teeth.
Composite Veneers
To fit resin-based composite veneers, the dentist will begin by cleaning, reshaping, and preparing the teeth. Once the teeth are prepared, they will bond and sculpt the composite material and adjust the colors, as needed.
Next, the dentist will use a light to dry and harden the composite material. After the veneers have hardened, the dentist will smooth and polish them to ensure they look and feel natural.
Caring for Your Veneers
Your mouth and gums may feel sore and uncomfortable for a few days after the procedure. You may also experience some tooth sensitivity from the bonding cement. It is normal and will pass as your mouth heals.
It is essential to care for your veneers just like you would look after your regular teeth. Brush them twice daily, floss regularly, and practice good oral hygiene to prevent cavities from developing.
Veneers stain over time. Avoid coffee, tea, and red wine, as well as other food items that can cause staining to make them last longer.
Your dentist may advise against:
- Biting hard objects
- Biting the nails
- Using a mouthguard
- Grinding the teeth
- Chewing very hard foods
- Opening items with your teeth
The dentist will also schedule a follow-up appointment to check your veneers and make sure they are in place and comfortable. You may notice rough patches on the veneers that occur due to extra bonding material on the veneers. They usually improve over time but if they persist, the dentist can smooth them.
If your veneers do not feel right, tell your dentist, and they can help fix them.
How Long Do Veneers Last?
How long veneers last may vary based on the materials the dentist uses and how well you care for them. With the right care, your veneers can last around 10 years. The better you care for your teeth, the longer your veneers will last.
After this time, due to regular wear and tear on your teeth, you may need to replace them. If one veneer gets damaged early, it can be replaced individually.
It is never too late to have the smile you have always wanted. Call Broadway Family Dental for advanced dental care in New York. Dr. Ella Dekhtyar and her team provide the best dental experience and create the highest quality customized veneers in just a few visits. Whether you want to repair and restore your decayed and damaged teeth or improve your smile, Dr. Dekhtyar comes up with effective, healthy solutions. She recommends the most suitable type of veneers that mask dental imperfections, improve color, enhance the shape of your teeth, and make a lasting positive impression.
Broadway Family Dental
1152 Broadway
Brooklyn, NY 11221
(Bushwick, Williamsburg, Bedford-Stuyvesant)
(718) 455-4400