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Porcelain Veneers

Do you dislike showing your smile because of cosmetic flaws? Perhaps you tend to cover your teeth with your hand when you speak? Or maybe you avoid smiling altogether because you don’t like the way your teeth look? Once thought reserved for the rich and famous, cosmetic dentistry is available to anyone looking to improve the look of their smiles. With a procedure like veneers, we can cover up dental flaws and give you a stunning smile—in just a couple of trips to the dental office!

Call Vaccaro Aesthetic and Family Dentistry today and find out if porcelain veneers are right for you.

What Are Porcelain Veneers?

Veneers are made of a thin, translucent material—usually porcelain—that we bond directly to the surface of the teeth that show when you smile. Veneers improve the way your teeth look by changing the position, shade, and shape.

Since they are very thin, just a little of your natural tooth structure will be removed before we place the veneers. However, because even that small amount of preparation is involved, it should be noted that these are a permanent cosmetic treatment.

What Can Porcelain Veneers Do For Me?

Porcelain veneers can have a lasting impact on not only your smile, but your overall appearance as well. A rejuvenated smile with porcelain veneers can provide younger, more vibrant-looking teeth and help patients feel more confident when they smile. Additionally, porcelain veneers can provide enhanced comfort and support within the mouth. 

Patients often benefit from porcelain veneers when they’re trying to fix or reverse: 

  • Cracked or chipped teeth
  • Teeth with minor or severe gaps and spaces
  • Stained and/or discolored teeth
  • Worn-down and withered teeth
  • Teeth that appear smaller in size
  • Mild cases of misalignment

During your initial consultation, Dr. Matthew Vaccaro and our team will discuss your individual needs and help you determine if porcelain veneer treatment is the ideal solution. 

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Porcelain Veneers vs. Dental Crowns

Porcelain veneers and dental crowns both offer aesthetic and restorative benefits; however, while the two procedures can often address similar problems, they are very different treatment solutions. The primary difference between the two is that a porcelain veneer covers the front and side portions of your tooth while a dental crown covers the entire tooth, including the back section. 

At Vaccaro Aesthetic and Family Dentistry, we typically utilize CEREC® dental crowns. These options are designed with advanced materials to provide custom tooth restoration that can enhance the structure, appearance, and health of the affected tooth. CEREC® dental crowns are primarily used as restorative dentistry solutions and can lend themselves to preventative care, as well. Designed to provide sound structure, protect your teeth, and improve functionality, dental crowns can also help prevent further dental deterioration when a tooth is suffering from severe damage or decay. 

On the other hand, porcelain veneers are primarily used as a cosmetic dentistry solution. Dental veneers are customized to cover and improve the appearance of the front, most visible part of your tooth. If you are looking to enhance the appearance of your teeth and are not in need of more significant restorative care, porcelain veneers could be right for you.

Dr. Vaccaro will determine which option is most ideal for your needs and develop the best treatment plan for you.

What Happens During the Porcelain Veneers Procedure?

The veneers process usually takes place over two dental appointments. At the first visit, Dr. Vaccaro will prepare the teeth for the veneers and make a digital impression of the teeth targeted for treatment. You’ll get a temporary set that looks very much like the finished product while waiting for the lab to fabricate the veneers. 

Placing your final, custom-designed porcelain veneers will be completed on your second visit. Dr. Vaccaro will first ask you to try them on to be sure they are perfect, then he will cement them into place and give them a final polish to create the best possible aesthetic result. Dr. Vaccaro has performed this procedure many times and strives to make the treatment as comfortable as possible. Although a local anesthetic is usually all that’s necessary, some patients elect to utilize sedation dentistry to ease their anxiety.

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How Long Do the Results of Porcelain Veneers Last?

If you treat them well, your veneers should last a decade—or maybe even longer. (Dr. Vaccaro has patients in the area who have had their set of veneers going on 17 years!) Eventually, they will need to be replaced, but not before you get many years of enjoyment out of your bright, white, and straight smile.

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Porcelain Veneers
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Porcelain Veneers

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How Should I Care for My Porcelain Veneers?

Caring for your veneers is just like caring for your natural teeth. Brush and floss regularly, and don’t skip your biannual dentist appointments for cleanings and examinations. Your veneers cannot stain the way your natural teeth can, so there is no need to use a whitening toothpaste. In fact, this type of toothpaste usually contains abrasives that can be harmful to your veneers.

Veneers are strong and durable, much like your natural teeth. However, you should use common sense with your veneers—just as we hope you would with your teeth in general—and don’t use your teeth as a tool or bite into things that are not food. It’s also best to avoid chewing on ice or hard candies. 

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What Are the Alternatives to Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers can be exceptional treatments and may be capable of addressing your cosmetic dental needs. However, if porcelain veneers are not right for your goals, there are some alternative treatments that may prove to be more ideal solutions. For instance, teeth whitening may be appropriate for stains and discoloration that is not excessively deep and dark,  and Invisalign® may be a good option for teeth affected by mild to moderate misalignment. Additionally, if you have a tooth that has been structurally compromised in a particularly severe way, a dental crown may be the better solution. 

Dr. Vaccaro can explore all of the options with you during your initial consultation and guide you toward the treatment that can meet your needs. 

How Much Do Porcelain Veneers Cost?

The cost of porcelain veneers at our practice typically falls in the range of $1,200 to $2,000 per veneer. The price of veneers often varies among patients according to a number of factors, including the complexity of the treatment, the specific materials utilized to create the veneer, and other associated fees. Once your treatment plan is developed during the consultation, a member of our dental team can produce a total estimated cost and present it to you for review so that you will know what to expect before the treatment begins. Vaccaro Aesthetic and Family Dentistry accepts many forms of payment to make this part of the process as convenient as possible. Options include CareCredit® financing for dental care, which allows qualified applicants to choose between a number of helpful plans that can be used to pay for their treatment in affordable installments. We will be happy to talk with you about our payment options and answer any questions you may have. 

Additional Porcelain Veneers FAQs

Does insurance cover porcelain veneers?

Generally, porcelain veneers are selected as a way to enhance and improve an individual’s smile or correct common cosmetic concerns. With that in mind, most dental insurance providers may not cover the costs since it is typically characterized as a cosmetic procedure. Fortunately, our practice offers a variety of convenient payment options, including the ability to finance porcelain veneer procedures via a reputable third-party financing agency that can help qualified applicants pay for the procedure over time.

How strong are porcelain veneers?

Despite the thin and natural-looking appearance of porcelain veneers, the incredibly durable ceramic composition makes them very resistant to chips, cracks, and breakage. With proper oral maintenance and regular dental check-ups, porcelain veneers have the potential to remain firmly bonded for decades. For patients who have a habit of clenching or grinding their teeth while sleeping, a nightguard may be recommended to prolong their stability and protect them from potential damage. It is also important to take reasonable care when biting into hard foods. When possible, it is best to use teeth other than those fitted with porcelain veneers when chewing hard or tough foods.

Do porcelain veneers stain?

Porcelain veneers are composed of a non-porous material, which is not prone to staining and discoloration. They are completely stain-resistant. Beverages and foods (coffee, tea, red wine, berries, etc.) can still be enjoyed in moderation without concern about whether they will discolor the veneers. However, patients should avoid tobacco products and limit the above-mentioned highly pigmented liquids and solids. This is because, over time, the surrounding natural teeth continue to stain and discolor, creating a different appearance in opposition to the veneers. Patients who follow the post-treatment directions, as well as regularly maintain and clean their teeth, shouldn’t see a very noticeable difference between their natural teeth and the teeth treated with porcelain veneers.

Can porcelain veneers be whitened?

Although porcelain veneers have the amazing ability to resist staining, the material – in return – is not susceptible to whitening or bleaching agents. This is also true of over-the-counter whitening toothpastes. In most cases, if the patient would like to have an overall brighter smile outcome, our dentist may recommend professional teeth whitening prior to the porcelain veneer placement so your veneers and natural teeth can be strategically matched. For existing porcelain veneer patients who experience discoloration of the remaining natural teeth over a long period of time and would like whiter veneers, a new porcelain veneer treatment will need to be created to replace the existing material.

Make an Appointment for a Free Consultation

Vaccaro Aesthetic and Family Dentistry offers porcelain veneers and other cosmetic dentistry services in the Chatham and Morristown, NY area. Schedule a free cosmetic consultation. We would love to talk to you about how we can improve the look of your smile!

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