Porcelain Dental Veneers

What are Porcelain Dental Veneers?

Porcelain dental veneers are a thin layer of porcelain laminate which is bonded to the surface of your tooth. They are shaped and sized specifically to fit your teeth.  They are also color matched to the rest of your teeth so they are undetectable. Porcelain veneers are resistant to staining, so you will retain a bright smile. Porcelain laminates rejuvenate your smile by covering the discolored front face of your tooth with a thin new layer of porcelain without taking structure away from your natural tooth. Dental veneers can be applied in two dental visits.

Why Should I Get Dental Veneers?

The porcelain dental veneer system treats gums that have receded or worn down, which can make teeth appear longer or shorter than they actually are. Dental veneers make your teeth look all the same length and give them an appearance of symmetry, which evens up your smile. In addition, veneers can remove gaps in between your teeth.

How To Prepare

Before receiving your dental veneer treatment an evaluation and overview with Dr. Kim will be discussed to prepare for the procedure…

• A comprehensive dental exam will be done including dental X-rays taken and models made of your teeth and mouth. You also may need a special type of computed tomography (CT) scan, that will allow the dentist to accurately measure the height and width of your existing bone to evaluate the health of your teeth and jaw bone.
• Treatment plan. 212 Smiling will tailor a treatment plan to account all factors of the procedure.  If the surgery is invasive we will take into account the factors and the procedure with a timely thought out plan.  This will include a walkthrough of the procedure, a step by sept treatment guide and a follow up an appointment if needed.

Make sure to tell your doctor about any medical conditions and any medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs and supplements. If you have heart conditions or orthopedic implants, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics before surgery to help prevent infection.

Anesthesia may be used to control the pain during your procedure. The 212 Smiling team will instruct you about eating and drinking before surgery, depending on the type of anesthesia. If general anesthesia is used, someone will have to assist you home after surgery and expect to rest for the day.

How Will Dental Veneers Change My Smile?

The porcelain is very thin and fine so no one will even know they’re on your teeth. After the first hour or so of wearing these porcelain dental veneers, the laminate of the veneers will mold to your tooth structure. This means that your teeth won’t visibly change at all, rather the veneers will work with the outline of your teeth. Porcelain veneers are permanent, but rest assured that our dentists will work with you to make sure you get the look that you want before permanently cementing the veneers. They don’t change your smile at all – they simply enhance the beauty that is already there!

What Else Do Dental Veneers Do?

Dental veneers can improve the cosmetic appearance of your teeth and smile in many other ways. If you have been bothered by discoloration on your teeth, which may be increasingly evident after the holiday period and all those extra coffees and sweets, dental veneers are a great way to reverse this.

Unlike bleaching teeth, dental veneers have long-term benefits for your teeth. Not only do veneers remove that yellow stained color on your teeth, but they can also close gaps and fix cracks in your teeth, once again making your teeth something to smile about. Veneers can get your teeth even whiter than professional teeth whitening. Veneers will also conceal any white spots on your teeth (which can get even whiter and more noticeable with teeth whitening treatments).

After The Procedure

After getting your dental veneers, you may experience some of the typical discomforts associated with any type of dental procedure, such as:

• Minor bleeding
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Pain or discomfort

If swelling, discomfort or any other problem gets worse after surgery, contact your dentist as you may need pain medications or antibiotics.  For the first few days avoid extremely hot or cold foods and beverages. Your bite and the way your teeth come together may feel different, especially if we changed the length, shape and/or thickness of your teeth.  Typically, your dental surgeon or dentist will use stitches, if invasive, that dissolve on their own, but if not your dental surgeon or dentist will have to remove them.

Should I Choose Invisalign or Porcelain Dental Veneers?

The amount of straightening needed has a great effect on which dental treatment is best for your problem. Invisalign is best in cases that involve crowded teeth, poor bite, and/or several areas with crooked and uneven teeth.

Invisalign involves the use of a series of clear, removable aligner trays which over time straighten your teeth. The trays are a comfortable and invisible method of teeth straightening. However, the process is time-consuming, and it can take a year or longer to complete the process.

Similarities Between Composite vs. Porcelain Veneers

Both composite and porcelain veneers involve full or partial facings of teeth that enhance the beauty of your smile. They can improve a variety of dental problems including spaces between teeth, crooked teeth, broken or chipped teeth or stained teeth.

Differences Between Composite vs. Porcelain Veneers

Composite Veneers

A composite veneer may be directly placed (built-up in the mouth), or indirectly fabricated and later bonded to the tooth, typically using a cement resin.

• Aesthetics: Composite veneers are more opaque than porcelain veneers and therefore don’t mimic the polish of tooth enamel quite as well.
• Lifespan: Composite veneers typically last between 4-8 years.
• Cost: The composite veneers cost of composite veneers is about half that of porcelain veneers.
• Advantages: The greatest advantage of composite veneers is that it is an additive process that is reversible and can be removed and replaced as needed. Composite veneers can also be fixed if they break, unlike porcelain veneers.
• Disadvantages: Composite veneers tend to stain more often because of its porosity, the void spaces in the material, which means they require more maintenance.

Porcelain Veneers

In contrast to a composite veneer, a porcelain veneer may only be indirectly fabricated.

• Aesthetics: Porcelain veneers have a glass-like translucency that closely mimics the characteristics of tooth enamel.
• Lifespan: Porcelain veneers are more durable and last between 12-25 years.
• Cost: Porcelain veneers cost about twice as expensive as composite veneers and can cost up to $2,000 a tooth.
• Advantages: Since porcelain is a ceramic (an impervious glass-like substance) it is extremely resistant to stain and chipping as compared to composite veneers, which means porcelain veneers rarely require maintenance.
• Disadvantages: Because porcelain veneers are very thin, they are inherently brittle. For people who grind their teeth porcelain veneers might not be desirable because when the veneer breaks it can’t be repaired, it must be remade.

If you’re ready to take the leap towards your brand new smile, you can make an appointment for a consultation with the friendly staff at by filling out our easy online appointment form, or by calling our New York City office at (212) SMILING.