Porcelain Veneers FAQ:
Porcelain Veneers (Laminates):
Porcelain Veneers (Laminates) may be used cosmetically to resurface teeth, to make them appear straighter and possess a more aesthetically pleasing alignment. This may be a quick way to improve the appearance of malposed teeth without using orthodontics. However, the amount of malposition of teeth may be such that veneers alone may not be enough to correct the aesthetic imbalance. Instead, orthodontics would need to be used, or orthodontics combined with veneers. The dentist who places porcelain veneers is extremely careful, since veneers could increase the thickness of the front face of the teeth. If the teeth are too thick on the face, they may appear to stand out and push out the lips. The effect may be enough to give the patient a full or chipmunk-like appearance when the lips are closed. Porcelain Veneers must also be created such that the patient bites into them with minimal force. Otherwise, they may chip off. So, patients whose lower jaw protrudes out farther than their upper jaw, otherwise known as a class III bite, may not be good candidates for porcelain veneers because the teeth of the lower jaw may bite into the teeth of the upper jaw, ultimately dislodging the porcelain veneers.
Veneers:
A veneer is a thin sell of porcelain or plastic that is bonded to a tooth to improve its color and shape. A veneer generally covers only the front and top of a tooth. Veneers can be used to close spaces between teeth, lengthen small or misshapen teeth, or whiten stained or dark teeth. When teeth are chipped or beginning to wear, veneers can protect them from damage and restore their original appearance.
How do we restore teeth with veneers?
It takes two or more appointments to restore teeth with veneers. During the first appointment, we shape and roughen the teeth. We then take impressions of your teeth, which we use to make precise working models of your mouth. It’s on these models that we artistically craft veneers to fit the prepared teeth.
All of our doctors are Veneer Certified providers and members of the American Dental Association, Suffolk County Dental Society and the New York State Dental Association.