Dental veneers are one of the most widely cosmetic dentistry treatments performed throughout the United States. They can significantly enhance the appearance of your smile in just a short time. Dental veneers are designed to blend in with your natural teeth, providing lifelike results. They usually last somewhere between 7 years and 15 years. If you are considering treatment with dental veneers, it’s important to know more about them.
What Are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are custom-made, thin, tooth-colored shells that are bonded to the front of teeth to improve their appearance. They can be made of porcelain or composite bonding. However, porcelain veneers are usually made in a lab and are more resistant to staining. Veneers can cover chips, cracks, gaps, stains, and teeth that are too small or misshapen teeth. They can also change the color, shape, size, or length of teeth.
Some common reasons for getting veneers include:
- Discolored teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Worn down teeth
- Misaligned teeth
- Spaced teeth
- Uneven or irregularly shaped front teeth
Veneers have many benefits, including the following:
- Restoring the appearance of your smile
- They are custom-made to fit your tooth and mouth
- They look like natural teeth
- They resist staining, unlike natural teeth
How are Veneers Applied?
Veneers aren’t complicated to apply and can give your smile a much-needed boost in a short amount of time. First, your dentist will apply a special cement to your veneer and place it on and over the tooth where it is supposed to go. Then, they will use a special light beam on the veneer, which activates chemicals in the cement, causing it to harden very quickly.
Before finishing up, your dentist will remove any excess cement and evaluate your bite with the presence of the veneer. Finally, they will make any final adjustments in the veneer as necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Veneers
Are Veneers Better Than Crowns?
It can depend on your situation. Many patients decide to get veneers because they are a more conservative treatment than crowns. However, they may not be the best choice for some patients. Our experienced dentists can help you decide if crowns or veneers are the best pathway to your desired results.
Can Porcelain Veneers be Whitened?
Your veneers are designed to remain the same color throughout their entire lifetime. If you are interested in a whiter, brighter smile and want to get veneers, ask your dentist to whiten your teeth first. Then, they can match your veneers to the results of your teeth whitening treatment. You can always get your teeth whitened throughout the lifetime of your veneers to match if necessary.
Dental Veneers at Smiles on the Upper Westside
At Smiles on the Upper Westside, we take pride in serving patients in the UWS neighborhood of NYC. Contact us at 212-222-5225 to schedule an appointment with our dentists and learn more about dental veneers and other cosmetic treatment options available to you. We look forward to speaking with you and helping you achieve the smile you always wanted!