Porcelain veneers also called “laminates” is a popular cosmetic dental treatment that helps create a natural-looking beautiful smile. However, veneers are not only cosmetic. It is a restorative treatment that can treat chipped teeth, cavities, tooth wear, gaps or bite problems, tooth discoloration, and more.
Do my teeth need to get grinded down?
Veneers use a thin layer of porcelain to cover the anterior (front) of a tooth. Depending on what’s right for your smile, you may only need a very conservative reshaping or none at all!
Am I a candidate for porcelain veneers?
Good oral hygiene and habits are critical to avoid tooth decay and gum disease. This will prolong the longevity of your teeth and beautiful veneers. Also, the alignment of your teeth needs to be positioned for veneers to be applied. If the bite isn’t good for veneers, you may opt for braces or clear aligners to optimize your bite for veneers.
Advantages and disadvantages of porcelain veneers
- Porcelain veneers give a natural translucent appearance and therefore are very cosmetically pleasing.
- Porcelain is very smooth so they are stain-resistant and feel very natural in the mouth.
Regular fillings or resin-bonding is much more prone to staining. - Porcelain veneers are very strong and durable. They typically last around 10-15 years. Their resin-bonding counterpart is weaker and may need to be replaced every 2-3 years. These are averages and depend on many factors.
- Veneers may be less conservative than other treatment options such as orthodontics and dental whitening. However, orthodontics cannot change the shape of the teeth and results of dental whitening can be unpredictable.
- The main downside of porcelain veneers is they are more expensive compared to resin-bonding.
There are a few types of veneers depending on your needs and budget. Always discuss the type of veneer you will get because it affects your natural teeth and the longevity of the restoration. Come for a consultation with Dr. Taller to see if porcelain veneers are right for you. Dr. Taller is conveniently located at 3601 Waldo Avenue, Riverdale NY 10463. Call 718-543-3704 to make an appointment or schedule online.
