Drs. Edward Romano and Robert Bizzarro have provided answers to some of our patients’ frequently asked questions about porcelain veneers. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact our practice.
WHAT ARE PORCELAIN VENEERS?
Porcelain veneers are durable shells of ceramic material that are custom-designed for bonding to the front surface of a tooth. They are very thin and cover only a portion of the tooth, unlike a dental crown which covers the entire tooth. Porcelain veneers are designed to be extremely natural-looking and are utilized to mask common aesthetic dental flaws.
WHAT COSMETIC DENTAL ISSUES CAN PORCELAIN VENEERS CORRECT?
Porcelain veneers are designed to treat a number of smile imperfections, including gaps, chipped or fractured teeth, worn down enamel, stained/discolored teeth, and uneven gums. They can improve the form of the tooth for fuller, healthy-looking results.
ARE PORCELAIN VENEERS EASY TO MAINTAIN?
Porcelain veneers are designed to be strong and durable. However, in order to achieve optimal results, they do require a little maintenance. We recommend that patients avoid chewing on anything that can cause chipping or cracking, including nut shells and ice cubes. In addition, maintaining good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly helps the veneers stay strong for long-lasting results.
HOW MUCH DO THE VENEERS COST?
The cost of porcelain veneers varies from patient to patient. The cost depends on several factors, including how many veneers need to be placed. We will work with you to formulate the most affordable treatment plan.
HOW LONG DO THE VENEERS LAST?
Porcelain veneers are designed to be a long-term solution to cosmetic dental issues and can last for decades if taken care of properly.
IS THE PORCELAIN VENEERS PROCEDURE PAINFUL?
In many cases, very little of the original tooth structure requires removal for porcelain veneers, and most patients report little to no pain during treatment. With that in mind, we offer several options to minimize any discomfort or pain, including anesthetics and sedation dentistry techniques. Sedation dentistry can also be utilized to provide relief for patients who experience dental anxiety or phobia. Our experienced cosmetic dentists employ the most advanced techniques to make your treatment as painless and comfortable as possible.
HOW LONG IS THE PORCELAIN VENEER TREATMENT PROCESS?
Porcelain veneer treatment can be completed in as little as two office visits. The first appointment involves a thorough consultation, in which your candidacy for the procedure will be determined. If it is decided that porcelain veneers would benefit you, a treatment plan will be created based on your cosmetic goals. Dr. Romano or Dr. Bizzarro will then send an impression of your teeth to an advanced dental lab to craft the veneers.
The second visit typically takes place at least one week after the consultation. During this appointment, your custom-designed veneers will be permanently bonded to your teeth. After they are bonded, your veneers will be custom-shaded to match your natural tooth color. Depending on the needs of each patient, you can have a renewed smile in as little two weeks.
WILL PEOPLE BE ABLE TO SEE MY PORCELAIN VENEERS?
Porcelain veneers are designed to look natural. Because they are color-matched to surrounding teeth, no one should be able to distinguish your veneers from your actual teeth. To gain an idea of the potential cosmetic outcome from porcelain veneers, we invite you to take a look at before and after photos in our smile gallery.
IS THE PORCELAIN VENEER TREATMENT REVERSIBLE?
In order to bond porcelain veneers to the tooth, a very small portion of tooth enamel often must be removed to accommodate their placement. For this reason, porcelain veneers are designed to be a long-lasting cosmetic solution and the process is not considered reversible.
CAN I GET CAVITIES FROM PORCELAIN VENEERS?
Porcelain veneers have no effect on the likelihood of cavities. Because they are bonded to the natural tooth structure using a very strong resin, there is no greater incidence of cavities or tooth decay due to porcelain veneers.
WILL MY PORCELAIN VENEERS BE A GOOD FIT?
Porcelain veneers are crafted in an advanced dental lab from an exact mold of your teeth and mouth for the best possible fit. The veneers should feel natural and comfortable inside your mouth.