Porcelain Veneers in Fishkill

What is a Porcelain Veneer?

Veneers are layers of thin dental porcelain that mimics tooth enamel. Veneers actually adhere to the tooth’s surface, improving and restoring your smile’s outer beauty. They’re a good option to correct aesthetic issues in otherwise healthy teeth, such as:

• Size and shape: There’s nothing like a chipped tooth to make us feel less pulled together than we’d like, especially with a job interview, family gathering, or milestone event like a wedding on the horizon. A veneer covers the front of that tooth securely but comfortably. No one will know it’s there except you and your dentist. Veneers also can lengthen teeth that have been shortened because of bruxism, which is also called tooth grinding. They even can enhance your appearance by changing the overall shape of your teeth if you’ve always thought your natural teeth looked too big, too small, too square, or too round for your face.
• Tooth Color: Tobacco products, coffee, tea, certain medications, and even aging all can contribute to our teeth looking dingy, yellow, or discolored. If your teeth haven’t responded to whitening treatments as well as you’d like – or if you have one tooth that’s particularly stubborn when it comes to whitening – veneers can restore your teeth’s natural brightness. But why stop there? Veneers come in a variety of shades, so you can even go a bit brighter if you like.
• Alignment and spacing: A gap-toothed smile can make you feel self-conscious, but you may not want to go get braces, especially if you’re beyond your teen years. With porcelain veneers, you can correct those small gaps and make other minor adjustments in your tooth alignment.

After assessing your individual needs, our dentist in Fishkill will discuss whether veneers are the right solution for you. Then the dentist will take a mold of your teeth to ensure a custom fit.

Before applying the veneers, the dentist might have to reduce a small amount of your natural tooth’s enamel (less than 1 mm of the surface), depending on the brand and type of veneers used. But adding veneers to your teeth is painless. Once a veneer in place, it’s as permanent as a filling or a crown. It won’t move or stain and should feel as comfortable and look as natural as the rest of your teeth.

How Is a Veneer Different from a Crown?

Both veneers and crowns are made from the same material, adhere to the underlying tooth structure, and can change the color and shape of teeth, improving their overall look. But a crown (also sometimes called a cap) fits over the entire tooth down to the gums, while a veneer only covers the front surface.

Because of how they’re applied, crowns often are recommended if you’ve lost a lot of tooth structure because of decay, age, or trauma, or because you grind your teeth. For a crown to fit properly, the dentist must remove more of a tooth’s exterior enamel (at least 2 mm). Once cemented in place, however, the crown actually helps strengthen the tooth. Crowns also are a good option for back teeth that have structural or cosmetic issues because crowns are stronger under the greater amount of bite force between your molars.

How Long Do Veneers Last?

Veneers are designed to last for decades. Barring any accidents to your teeth, as long as you care for your veneers properly, your smile should look bright and beautiful for a long time. Just remember to brush and floss daily, and being mindful not to use your teeth to open bottles, bags, or other items.

What Are Lumineers^®?

Lumineers^® are a specific brand of veneers. They’re known for being ultra-thin, so they require little to no reduction in the surface enamel of your natural tooth. They’re also highly translucent, so they look as natural and as comfortable as they feel. Yet they’re quite durable – they can last more than 20 years!

How Do I Care For Veneers?

For the most part, you’ll care for your veneers as you would your natural teeth: by brushing and flossing them daily. But if you have an underlying issue such as tooth clenching or grinding, you might want to wear a custom-made night guard to protect your veneers. You’ll also want to be careful about certain foods and tasks, especially if they’re on your front teeth. Your dentist in Fishkill might recommend not biting into hard foods such as candy apples, or using your teeth to rip open packages. Those actions can be tough on natural teeth, as well as teeth with veneers.

Schedule a Consultation for Veneers in Fishkill Today.

Have additional questions about whether veneers are right for you? Give our friendly staff a call at (845) 764-9315 to set up an appointment. We’re glad to help you.