What are Dental Veneers?

A veneer is a permanent thin shell applied to the front, outward-facing side of a tooth.

Dental veneers have many uses, such as correcting issues with tooth discoloration, cracks, chips, gaps, and other undesirable  cosmetic problems.

Porcelain veneers can greatly enhance the appeal of a smile, boost confidence, and to open up personality!

Veneers must be cared for very well to keep them looking nice. We strongly recommend night guard wear following the placement of veneers.

Porcelain Veneers vs. Bonding

There are some situations in which a patient can choose between porcelain veneers, which last longer, or bonding, which costs less.

For children, we often recommend bonding. This is because children are more likely to break cosmetic dental work, and bonding is both less expensive and easier to repair than porcelain veneers.

The disadvantage of bonding is that it stains more readily and can wear down over time.

For adults, bonding may also make more sense if only one or two teeth need attention. When many teeth are involved, veneers may be the better choice.

Dr. Venincasa will take the time to discuss all your options and help you make the best decision for your teeth and your budget.

Some of Our Satisfied Veneer Patients

replacing porcelain veneers laminates quality cosmetic dentistryWe replaced a set of 15 year-old veneers for this patient. While the veneers had very little wrong as far as fit and decay, our patient desired a nicer esthetic result.

Our patient told us a previous dentist did not let him see how the veneers would look, before they were bonded. The patient was looking for a different result.

We allowed our patient to be involved in the design of the veneers. He helped us decide their shape, color, and lengths. Our patient felt very much in control of this set of porcelain veneers.

 

This patient came into our office wanting to enhance her smile. She recognized that her teeth were severely worn at the biting edges and she recognized that one of her teeth was grayer than the others.

Our patient decided to obtain veneers for her front six teeth.  With this plan, she was able to greatly enhance her smile, re-establish much of the length of her teeth, and whiten them.

This patient did commit to night guard wear while sleeping.  That helps to keep the veneers from chipping or breaking as much as we can control.

With regular brushing and flossing, and with regular dental appointments, we expect these veneers to look very nice for a very long time.