Previous
Next
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain Veneers Q & A
by Kate Brayman, DDS
Porcelain Veneers On Long Island by Kate Brayman, DDS
Dr. Kate Brayman has extensive experience applying dental veneers that transform the appearance of your smile. Contact her practice, Kate Brayman DDS on Long Island NY 11797, to schedule a consultation and learn about the dental veneers’ cost or how they can hide the chipped and discolored teeth, and make uneven teeth appear perfectly straight.
Our dental office serves patients in Woodbury, Syosset, Oyster Bay, Huntington, Melville, and Plainview who are interested in improving their smile with this cosmetic dentistry treatment.
Before & Afters
What Our Patients Say
Fabulous experience. It doesn’t feel like you are at the dentist. Always enjoy my visits.
Dr. Brayman is the best. I have 100% trust in her and her practice.
The dental work is fantastic and my teeth get better each time I visit.
I could not be happier with the degree of care and thoughtfulness I get with this team.
She is a very good dentist and cares about her patients.
The dental work is superb. I recommend her to anyone looking for an amazing dentist.
Beautiful office and facilities; state of the art equipment; wonderful service and knowledgeable professionals.
Great staff and great service. My teeth thank you!
Previous
Next
What are veneers?
Dental Porcelain Veneers On Long Island NY 11797
Dental veneers are thin covers that are attached to the outside of teeth to hide imperfections. Veneers effectively restore the appearance of your smile by closing large gaps between teeth, hiding chipped teeth, and covering discolored enamel. They’re also used to “straighten” teeth without making a physical adjustment. Instead, veneers cover the crooked and uneven teeth, making them appear naturally straight.
Dr. Brayman, a well-known cosmetic dentist may recommend veneers to replace worn-down enamel, whether it’s caused by normal wear-and-tear or it has been eroded by acidic foods and drinks. After veneers are applied, the root is protected and the porcelain veneer makes teeth naturally stronger.
Should I get porcelain veneers?
The real question is: are you unhappy with your teeth and want them to look better? If so, then porcelain veneers might be the perfect solution for you.
Porcelain veneers offer you a chance to fix just about any aesthetic issue you might have with your teeth. Do you have a single off-color tooth surrounded by healthy-looking ones? Are your teeth grey or yellow and you just can’t seem to get them white? Are they slightly crooked, even after having braces, and you don’t want to try braces again? In all of these cases, porcelain veneers can provide the solution you need to feel confident with your smile again.
How do porcelain veneers work?
Porcelain veneers are essentially shells that go over your teeth that have the look and feel of real teeth. They cover the front teeth and hide imperfections and stains that you would not want the outside world to see. Veneers are applied with a bonding agent, so they stick to the front of the teeth. They are custom-fitted and colored so that they look like the surrounding teeth, which creates a natural look.
In most cases, getting dental veneers means making several visits to the dentist for diagnosing issues, planning, and the final treatment. You can have more than one tooth covered by a veneer, so your options are endless when it comes to what you can hide and how you can hide it.
On the first visit, your dentist will ask you what your goals are in getting veneers. Your dentist will want to examine your teeth to see the staining and damage that you want to cover up and assess the overall health of your mouth. Veneers are not appropriate for everyone, and your dentist will determine whether the process is right for you. This could involve taking x-rays and making impressions of your teeth to determine suitability. If veneers are not a viable option, then your dentist may recommend something else.
The focus of the next dental office visit will be on planning and preparing your teeth for a veneer. This means that your teeth might have to be reshaped to accommodate the veneer. In general, a tooth needs to be pared down by the approximate thickness of the veneer so that your teeth won’t be overly large when it is applied. You may need a local anesthetic for this part since reshaping your teeth can cause pain and discomfort. After your teeth are reshaped, your dentist will make an impression of your teeth to create a model from which a veneer manufacturing laboratory can build your veneer. Within 2-4 weeks, your veneers will be ready and shipped to the dentist. In the meantime, you can get temporary veneers that are not custom-built to cover up the unsightly spots you want hidden.
The next time you visit the dentist, it will be time to bond the veneer to your teeth. Before adhering to it permanently, the dentist will place it against your teeth to see how it fits and if the color matches the rest of your teeth. If needed, they will trim the veneer and adjust it to make sure that it fits properly. The dentist will also apply color adjusters to get the shade just right so that it looks as natural as possible. Once they achieve the right fit and color, your teeth have to be prepared to be cemented to the veneer. Every affected tooth gets a cleaning and polishing. Then, they are roughened up so that the adhesive will bond better to the tooth. The cement is then applied to the veneer, and it is adjusted until it is perfectly in place.
A light beam is used to boost the bonding action of the cement so that it will harden and cure quickly. Any cement that is left over is scraped away. The dentist will have to test your bite to make sure that everything is properly in place, and will make any final adjustments as needed. You may have to have one more follow-up appointment just to make sure that your gums aren’t irritated or negatively affected by the veneer.
How are veneers applied to teeth?
Long Island Porcelain Veneers
It’s important for veneers to appear the way you envision and to fit properly. Dr. Brayman will work with you to choose the type and color of the veneer. Then when the veneer is ready, you’ll be able to see how it looks before it’s permanently attached.
Dental veneers can be made from composite resin, but porcelain is preferred for correcting color and shape. Porcelain veneers look more natural, resist stains better, and last longer compared to resins. After you’ve decided which type of veneer to use, Dr. Brayman will prep your teeth, then make an impression of your mouth and send it to the dental lab to make the veneer. You’ll wear a temporary covering until the new veneer is ready. After making sure the new veneer fits, it will be cemented to the tooth.
Are porcelain veneers permanent? How long will they last?
Porcelain veneers can last as long as 20 years, but they can chip or break if you bite down on something hard or they’re traumatized in an accident. Over time, your mouth can go through other changes that may affect veneers. For example, gum tissue may recede or the tooth under the veneer might move. When that happens, the veneers might need to be replaced.
Treat veneers just like your natural teeth. Brush and floss regularly, and come in for regular dental checkups. Don’t ignore damages or changes in veneers because the underlying tooth is still vulnerable to decay should a cracked veneer allow bacteria to gain access to the tooth.
Officially, porcelain veneers are not a permanent solution to discolored teeth. As mentioned, they can start wearing down at approximately twenty years. However, they do not always wear down, and some patients go the rest of their lives not having to replace their veneers. In most cases, however, they do need to be replaced at some point, especially if they reach the twenty-year point.
While you will have to replace your veneers, you should also remember that you will always need veneers once you have them placed in your mouth. The reason for this is that once your natural teeth get filed down to accommodate the veneers, they cannot grow back. Your teeth will be permanently filed down, so unless you lose all of your teeth, you will need to have them covered by veneers.
Filing teeth can be an uncomfortable thought for many patients, and some will decide that they do not want to get veneers. For these patients, there is also a more short-term solution. Lumineers can be placed in your mouth and removed if they are not right for you. They do not last as long, but they are an effective alternative for those who do not wish to file their natural teeth.
There are some things you can do to help your veneers last longer. They are adhered very strongly to your teeth and can handle everyday, regular chewing. However, they may be affected when you are eating something that is particularly tough, or if you are using your teeth for non-eating things, like opening containers and packages. You should also make sure to keep all of your follow-up cleaning appointments with your dentist. They can make sure not just to clean the veneers, but also to catch any potential issues before they become big problems. Finally, make sure to follow good dental hygiene habits, such as brushing twice a day and flossing once a day. The number one reason that veneers fall out is tooth decay, so do whatever you can to prevent it.
Can you whiten porcelain veneers?
The purpose of porcelain veneers is to hide staining and imperfections. They are manufactured to take a beating and to last a long time. There are very few instances in which they can get discolored, but it is possible.
One possible way for your veneers to get discolored is from your gums receding with age. They can start to pull away from the actual tooth, which leaves an exposed spot between the veneer and the tooth. The glue underneath can then start to get stained by things that you eat, such as coffee and wine, which can cause the veneer to look stained. There is no way to reverse receding gums, unfortunately.
You may also have an issue if your veneer suffers any trauma. This can happen if you are struck in the mouth with something, like a ball, for instance. If the tissue of your teeth gets damaged, it can look yellow, which will show through the veneer, which will then look yellow itself.
Finally, while veneers are very durable, they can start to wear down with age. At about twenty years, the surface can start to look worn and cracked. This is because, at that time, they were not often made with porcelain in use today. Plastic was very common, as was a type of porcelain that is porous and clings to things that might cause discoloration.
Unfortunately, there is currently no method for whitening veneers. If you do have discoloration, then you may need to replace the affected veneers entirely. If the issue is from damaged dentin tissue, your dentist can use a whitening product on the tooth itself to cover up the damage. This will make it look white through the veneer. In some cases, a hygienist can polish your veneers to clean them up if you have light staining. If your veneers have gotten old and worn, and your dentist recommends replacing them, then they may also recommend whitening your natural teeth so that the difference between those teeth and your new veneers won’t be so stark.
Does dental insurance cover porcelain veneers?
Unfortunately, porcelain veneers are not covered by the vast majority of insurance plans.
It is unusual to find one that does because it is a cosmetic procedure. However, we can work with you on a payment plan to make sure that you get the smile you need to feel and look as confident as possible.
Major Insurance Providers Accepted
At Kate Brayman DDS, we accept most major insurance plans. Here is the list of some of the plans we accept. Please contact our dental office if you do not see your insurance provider listed. Please note we do not participate with DMO/HMO insurance.
Kate Brayman, DDS
8285 Jericho Turnpike Suite 3B
Woodbury, NY, 11797
Related Procedures
WHAT OUR PATIENTS SAY
Previous
Next
Long Island Dentist at Kate Brayman, DDS
Dr. Kate Brayman is a leading cosmetic dentist serving Long Island and Woodbury NY 11797. A graduate from the New York University College of Dentistry, Dr. Kate Brayman brings passion and artistry into dentistry. She is certified by the American Board of Dental Public Health. Her professional memberships include the American Dental Association, the New York State Dental Association and the New York County Dental Society.
Latest posts by Dr. Kate Brayman (see all)
- How To Choose The Best Dentist Near You - October 5, 2022
- Should You Consider Teeth Bonding Treatments? A Look Into the Pros and Cons - September 1, 2022
- How Much Does Invisalign Cost on Long Island NY? - August 13, 2022