Porcelain Veneers in Brewster

Veneers improve the appearance of teeth that are in overall good health but need just a little help in restoring the color, shape, size, or positioning. Our veneers dentist in Brewster is happy to assess your smile to determine if this cosmetic treatment is right for you.

What is a Porcelain Veneer?

Porcelain veneers essentially replace tooth enamel with a thin layer of porcelain, covering up imperfections on the surface. They stay firmly in place, so no one but you and your dentist knows they’re there.

Veneers are a versatile way to handle several aesthetic issues:

• Color: Coffee, tea, smoking, certain medications, and even aging all can cause our teeth to become yellow or dingy. Veneers can restore the brightness of your teeth, taking years off your appearance. A single veneer also can target a discolored tooth that might have been particularly resistant to other whitening treatments.
• Size and shape: Got a chipped tooth? A veneer can make it look like new again. Veneers can lengthen teeth that have been shortened through tooth grinding, also called bruxism. They even can change the shape of your teeth along your bite if you’ve always thought your teeth looked too square, too round, too big, or too small to complement your features properly.
• Alignment and spacing: If you don’t want to use braces, porcelain veneers can close small gaps between your teeth, as well as make other minor adjustments in alignment.

To apply one or more veneers, our dentist first will take a mold of your teeth so the veneer has a custom fit that looks natural and feels comfortable in your mouth. Depending on the type of veneers used, the dentist might have to remove a small amount of tooth enamel – less than 1 mm of the surface – before adhering the veneer in place. But once attached, your porcelain veneer will be as permanent as a filling or a crown. While it might need replacing after years of wear or an accident, you won’t have to worry about it staining or shifting around as you eat or speak. Just enjoy the beauty of your smile.

How Is a Veneer Different from a Crown?

Both veneers and crowns can change the color, shape, size, and overall appearance of your teeth. But a veneer only covers the front side of the tooth. A crown covers the entire tooth down to the gums. Some people refer to getting a crown as “capping a tooth,” because the crown fits over a tooth’s inner core of a tooth like a cap.

Veneers are designed for healthy teeth that have minor imperfections. A crown is the better option when the underlying tooth has lost a lot of its structure because of trauma, clenching, grinding, decay, or age. If your problem tooth is among the teeth in the back of your mouth, a crown also might be the better choice because of the stronger biting force that your molars use.

How Long Do Veneers Last?

Veneers are designed to be permanent. Although their overall durability can vary depending on the brand of veneers used, your lifestyle, and proper care, veneers are known to last for decades. Treat them as well as you would your natural teeth, and they’ll keep your smile just the way you like it for years to come.

What Are Lumineers^®?

Lumineers® are a specific brand of veneers that are ultra-thin, highly translucent, and yet highly durable – they can last more than 20 years! Because of their thinness, they’re unique in that they require little to no reduction in the surface enamel of your natural tooth. Applying them is completely pain-free, and they not only look natural but feel comfortable. They are also stain-resistant.

How Do I Care For Veneers?

If your veneers cover teeth worn from a habit such as clenching or grinding, you’ll likely need a custom-made night guard to protect them. But for the most part, you care for veneers as you would your natural teeth, brushing and flossing them each day. That said, veneers do like a gentle touch. While you don’t need to baby them, we wouldn’t advise biting into very hard foods, such as candy apples, or using your teeth to open packages or rip off price tags. Our veneers dentist in Brewster will gladly review any specifics with you about your dental care once your veneers are in place.

Schedule a Consultation for Veneers in Brewster Today

If you have additional questions about veneers or think they might be right for you, call our caring staff in Brewster to set up an appointment today at (845) 764-9263. We look forward to helping you.