Porcelain veneers are a great way to improve the appearance of one or more teeth. There have been many advances in veneers over the years, and the latest types and brands look incredibly life-like. If you have a tooth that is unflattering to the rest of your smile, East Tremont Dental can place a porcelain veneer over it to brighten up your entire smile.
What Are Porcelain Veneers Used For?
Porcelain veneers, which look like small porcelain shells, are excellent at masking teeth with chips, cracks or stains. They can create uniformity amongst teeth that are unevenly sized or shaped. A veneer may also be used to mask a small gap or space. Veneers are commonly used in cases of normal wear-and-tear that has left the teeth looking worn or dull.
Porcelain veneers are not suitable for patients with structural problems of the teeth. A veneer will not provide support to a tooth that has been badly broken or cracked — it merely covers up an aesthetic imperfection. A reconstructive option such as a dental crown or a bridge is usually more appropriate.
The Porcelain Veneer Placement Process
The porcelain veneer placement process typically takes two visits. Since veneers are custom crafted, our dentists take molds and measurements of the patient’s mouth and teeth, which are then sent to the dental laboratory to make the veneers. These measurements are taken during the first visit. After the veneer has been crafted, the patient returns for a second visit.
Our Bronx dentists will need to prepare the tooth receiving the porcelain veneer prior to placement. This may involve removing a small bit of tooth structure to make room for the veneer. The dentist slips the small porcelain shell over the tooth and uses a strong dental bonding agent to secure it into place. The veneer is then buffed and polished to make it look as shiny and translucent as the surrounding natural teeth. Some Bronx porcelain veneers patients opt to have a set of veneers placed on their upper and/or lower front teeth. Porcelain veneers are not typically placed on the back teeth.
Benefits and Risks of Porcelain Veneers
One of the biggest benefits of porcelain veneers is their longevity. They will last for many years with the proper care. Veneers hide aesthetic flaws and make a smile look more uniformly beautiful. They look extremely natural and are color-matched to the patient’s surrounding teeth; once placed, it’s difficult to distinguish a veneer from a natural tooth.
Porcelain veneers are not without their drawbacks, though. The removal of tooth structure to prepare the tooth for the porcelain veneer is permanent, so the placement procedure is not reversible. One solution to this is “minimal prep veneers,” which only require a very small bit of tooth structure to be removed. Chipped or fractured porcelain veneers cannot be repaired and must be replaced.
If you are unhappy with the appearance of your teeth and are considering porcelain veneers treatment, contact East Tremont Dental for more information at (718) 823-3000.
Young man showing no Front teeth in largest smile
Four Porcelain Veneers were placed on front teeth: New Smile
Porcelain Veneers
Were placed to close large space and reshape teeth
The talented dentists at East Tremont Dental are proud to provide the sophisticated treatment Bronx patients need to obtain a healthy and beautiful smile. In addition to providing porcelain veneers, the practice also offers periodontal care, crowns and dental implants. In addition, Dr. Tanny Josen is a widely regarded pediatric dentist, helping children establish good dental habits for sustained, positive oral health.
East Tremont Dental Assoc.
3875 East Tremont Ave.
Bronx, NY 10465
(718) 823-3000
