Hello, my name is Dr. Penny Planzos. I'm a prosthodontist, and today I'm going to be answering the most frequently asked questions about dental veneers.
Dr. Penny, what is a veneer?
A veneer is a dental restoration mostly made out of dental ceramic or porcelain that is cemented or bonded to the facial portion of a tooth.
How is a veneer different from a crown?
Veneers and crowns mainly differ by the underlying tooth structure. When we talk about a crown, we're referring to something that's more full coverage, encircling the tooth entirely. In contrast, a veneer is mainly for the outer aspect, the facial portion of the tooth.
How are veneers and crowns used in a smile makeover?
In a smile makeover, we assess a patient's smile, sizes, and shapes of the teeth, as well as the spacing. Veneers and crowns are used to change the sizes, shapes, and colors of the teeth.
Are veneers reversible?
They're not reversible. Anytime a veneer or a crown is placed, the tooth structure has to be altered. In order for a veneer or crown to be bonded onto a tooth, the tooth has to be shaved down. In some cases, a tooth is prepared or shaved down more aggressively than in other cases. Often with veneers, you don't need to aggressively take down the tooth, but once you remove a veneer, the outer layer of the tooth is altered, and you won't get back your natural tooth. It is a permanent restoration. If a veneer is removed, it would have to be replaced with another veneer or a full coverage crown.
How long can veneers last?
Veneers can last a really long time. The mouth is a dynamic environment and constantly changing. Teeth can decay, and you can get decay underneath veneers if you have a high cavity rate. The tooth underneath a veneer, the natural tooth structure, can discolor, whereas a veneer cannot. The porcelain or ceramic with a veneer is color stable. Some people opt for composite veneers, but we prefer to avoid them because composite veneers can pick up more stain than porcelain veneers do.
How do you maintain your veneers?
You maintain veneers the same way you maintain your natural teeth. You should go in for cleanings at least twice a year, floss your teeth, and brush properly. It's also important to go for your annual checkups and get x-rays once per year to ensure you don't have decay underneath the veneers.
A cosmetic smile improvement is available with nothing more than porcelain veneers. At Impressive Dental Care in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, Lea Planzos, DMD, MS, Penny Planzos, DMD, MS, and Thomas Planzos, DMD, create custom porcelain veneers to cover chips, cracks, gaps, and discoloration. Schedule a consultation for veneers over the phone or online at Impressive Dental Care today.
What are porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers are dental prosthetics that serve a cosmetic purpose. They’re thin shells made to look like your teeth’ natural front surfaces in shape and color. Your dentist attaches a porcelain veneer to the tooth’s front surface it’s designed to cover.
Each veneer is made of very thin porcelain. Since your dentist removes a thin layer of enamel from the tooth before placing the veneer, the veneer doesn’t feel unnaturally bulky or thick. It’s really easy to adjust to wearing your veneers. Because porcelain is durable, you can continue to use your teeth normally.
To make sure your veneers last as long as possible, avoid biting down on solid objects like hard candies, popcorn seeds, and pencils. You should also never use your teeth in place of scissors or knives.
What are the benefits of porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers have a highly natural appearance because porcelain’s light translucence mimics the appearance of your enamel. With veneers, your teeth look like your natural teeth because Impressive Dental Care customizes them for your mouth. Your dentist matches the shape using state-of-the-art scanning technology and matches the color.
You can get veneers to cover many dental flaws and damages, including:
- Stains and discoloration
- Worn-down teeth
- Chips and cracks
- Teeth with irregular shapes
- Wide gaps between teeth
Porcelain veneers are best suited to teeth at the front of your mouth, the ones that can be seen when you smile.
What is the process of getting porcelain veneers?
The planning process for porcelain veneers starts with a consultation and exam. Your dentist examines your teeth and might take dental X-rays and initial digital impressions.
Your Impressive Dental Care dentist then prepares your tooth for a veneer by reshaping its front surface. They remove a small amount of enamel, making room for the veneer. They then take more digital impressions to make veneers of the right shape and size.
Once your veneers are ready, your dentist makes sure they fit. They might make final adjustments to the veneer before bonding it to your tooth, trimming away excess porcelain material. Before bonding the veneer using dental cement, your dentist etches the tooth’s surface for a stronger attachment.
If you’re interested in porcelain veneers for damaged, uneven, or unattractive teeth, schedule a consultation today over the phone or online at Impressive Dental Care.