How Veneers Can Improve Your Smile

It seems everyone has dental veneers these days. Because veneers offer a dramatic smile makeover in a short amount of time, they’re more popular than ever. If your teeth are healthy, but there are cosmetic imperfections that bother you, veneers are one of the best options we have to create a smile you’ll feel good about. Here are the facts to help you decide whether veneers are the best choice for you.

Dental veneers are thin pieces of porcelain or lithium disilicate that are carefully fabricated to match the color and size of your natural teeth. A special material is used to bond them onto your existing teeth to correct their size, shape, color, or a combination of these issues. Common reasons why patients opt for porcelain veneers include:

• Teeth that are yellow, gray, or otherwise stained – particularly when this staining is resistant to teeth whitening
• Teeth that have been worn down by a habit of grinding or jaw clenching
• Gaps between teeth
• Teeth that are uneven or shaped irregularly
• Chipped teeth

Naturally, the first step of any cosmetic dental treatment is coming into our office to discuss the concerns you have with your smile, your overall treatment goals, and if veneers are the best way to achieve them. Members of our team will use digital imaging and impressions to create a 3D model of your mouth, which lets us project how your veneers will interact with your other teeth.

The next step in the process is getting your veneers placed. We will clean your teeth thoroughly to prevent decay from forming behind the veneers. Then we etch the tooth, allowing the veneers to attach securely. Dental cement is applied to the teeth, then the veneers are carefully positioned onto them. The cement is cured with a special ultraviolet light, and then the process is complete. You’re now ready to show off your new smile to the world!

Each patient’s case is different, so we can’t really provide a treatment estimate without seeing you first to assess your needs. Veneers are not covered by dental insurance, so if payment is a concern, ask our office manager to go over financing options with you.

Porcelain veneers last surprisingly long – with good oral hygiene practices and regular maintenance, they will often have a 15 to 20 year lifespan. Brushing for two minutes twice a day, flossing at least once a day, and seeing your dentist every six months for an oral exam and cleaning will go a long way towards keeping your veneers in the best possible condition.

Veneers are not for everyone, so when you come in for your consultation, we’ll go over all of your options. Some alternatives to veneers include teeth whitening, Invisalign, dental bonding, teeth shaping, and gum recontouring.

If you’d like to discuss whether veneers are an option for you, contact us at 212.685.4730 to schedule an appointment at our Midtown Manhattan dental practice, conveniently located between Grand Central Terminal and the New York City Public Library.