Five Things To Know Before Getting Dental Veneers

There are fewer tools that can transform a patient’s smile as quickly, conveniently, and dramatically as veneers. From concealing imperfections to changing the entire shape or even length of a tooth, the potential enhancements that can be made with veneers are astounding. Before getting veneers, however, it’s important to understand a little bit more about them, including how veneers may affect your eating habits, how long you can expect your veneers to last, and other basics. At Maison BE Dental Studio, top New York City dentist Dr. Ellen Katz is committed to helping patients feel comfortable and confident about their decision to refresh or restore their smile with veneers. Keep reading for a closer look at the benefits of dental veneers, and review five important considerations to keep in mind before making your decision.

What are dental veneers?

Dental veneers are thin shells of porcelain or composite resin material that are created to fit over a patient’s tooth or teeth for cosmetic enhancement purposes. Some of the most common dental concerns that can be addressed with dental veneers include:

• Chipped tooth
• Broken tooth
• Short teeth
• Uneven tooth length
• Yellow teeth
• Stained teeth
• Dull teeth
• Gap between teeth
• Small teeth

Before getting dental veneers, patients should have a good understanding of what to expect with veneers both during and after placement.

1. Veneers are cosmetic

Because veneers aim to make cosmetic enhancements, patients considering veneers should have good oral health prior to placement. Should a patient have severe tooth damage, decay, periodontal disease, or another dental or oral health problem, they should be adequately treated with general or restorative dentistry services before having dental veneers placed.

2. Your teeth may need to be prepped

Depending on the type of veneer being used (traditional, minimal-prep, or no-prep), patients may need to have their natural teeth prepped prior to placement. This involves removing a small amount of the natural tooth’s structure, which allows the veneer to fit properly over the tooth and sit flush with the rest of the teeth. Because the preparation stage must be completed before an impression is taken, patients should expect to have temporary veneers for a short time.

3. Veneers cannot be whitened

Unlike natural teeth, which can be whitened with in-office teeth whitening or at-home products, dental veneers will not respond to whitening treatments and products. Fortunately, veneers are relatively stain-resistant, though patients should still brush regularly and avoid dark, staining foods and beverages.

4. Veneers can break

Although veneers are exceptionally durable, chipping, cracking, and breakage can occur, particularly when eating hard or chewy foods, biting your nails, or grinding your teeth. Should a composite veneer get damaged, it can often be repaired rather than needing to be fully replaced, as a porcelain veneer would.

5. Veneers are not designed to last a lifetime

In most cases, patients can expect to need their veneers replaced at some point in the future. With proper dental hygiene, regular dental exams and cleanings, and healthy habits at home, however, dental veneers can last up to a decade or longer.

Want to take your smile to the next level? Consider dental veneers in New York City

Whether you have subtle imperfections you’d like to fix or need a complete overhaul of your smile, dental veneers may be right for you. To learn more about the celebrity-worthy results that may be possible for you with dental veneers, call Maison BE Dental Studio in NYC to schedule your one-on-one consultation with distinguished dentist Dr. Ellen Katz today.