Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made shells of tooth colored material bonded to cover the front surface of the teeth to improve the appearance of your smile. Made from porcelain, they are able to resist stains and display the light-reflecting properties of natural teeth. Porcelain veneers in NYC also offer a conservative approach to changing a tooth’s appearance. They do not require the extensive shaping process that crowns do, yet still provide a stronger and more aesthetic option.

When Porcelain Veneers in NYC are Used

Porcelain veneers are used to fix a number of problems, including teeth that are discolored, chipped or broken, worn down, irregularly shaped, misaligned, or have gaps. One tooth or multiple teeth can undergo the veneering process at the same time.

About the Procedure

Dental veneers generally require two to three visits to complete:

The Consultation

The first visit is for diagnosis and treatment planning. This consultation involves your active participation, where you will explain your desired results to one of our dentists. The dentist will then examine your teeth to confirm dental veneers are appropriate and discuss next steps. We will also take photos and models, as well as create a custom wax-up of how your teeth will look.

Prepare the Veneers

Your teeth are then prepared, impressions and bite relationships are taken and temporaries are fabricated. The temporaries will mimic the final result, so you can go home, look at your smile and discuss any changes you may want. Our ceramist will then shape and colorize each individual dental veneer, and during the second visit they are tried in and further refinements can be made to their shape or color if needed.

Apply the Veneers

A special, long-lasting cement is applied to the veneer, and then the veneer is applied to your tooth. Once properly positioned on the tooth, the dentist will apply a special light to the porcelain veneer to activate the chemicals in the cement, which causes it to cure, or harden, very quickly. Final steps will involve removing any excess cement, evaluating your bite, and finalizing the last adjustments in the veneer as needed. The dentist may recommend that you return for a follow-up visit in the next couple of weeks following the procedure to see how your gums are responding to the veneers and examine the veneer’s placement one more time.

Aftercare for Porcelain Veneers

Dental veneers do not require any special care in addition to regular dental hygiene practices. Continue following a good oral hygiene routine that includes brushing and flossing daily. Although porcelain veneers are stain-resistant, the dentist may suggest avoiding certain foods and beverages that cause staining, such as coffee or red wine or biting on very hard foods such as pens, fingernails or opening pistachio nuts with your teeth.