Office location
30 Central Park S, Suite #10d New York,NY 10019
Porcelain Veneers
Veneers (a.k.a. lumineers) are very thin ceramic coverings that are placed over the front (visible) part of the tooth. Veneers look like natural teeth and are a great cosmetic solution to improve the entire smile including the color, shape, size and even minor misalignment. Porcelain veneers are strong and long lasting. Veneers do not stain easily because of their ceramic surface. Compared to a crown, much less tooth trimming is required to make a veneer.
WHO CAN BENEFIT:
Veneers are the clinically appropriate choice for a smile makeover where the primary goal is improving the smile’s aesthetics:
- For patients with teeth stains that can’t be removed by bleaching or polishing alone, such as Tetracycline or Fluorosis stains
- For patients with chipped, crooked or misshapen or worn away teeth
- For patients whose composite bonding keeps falling out, particularly bonding on the incisal edges
- For patients with uneven spaces between their teeth
In cases when the tooth has medium to large decay or fracture, or needs a root canal, a crown is a more appropriate treatment option.
TREATMENT:
Dental veneers typically require 2 office visits, normally 1-2 weeks apart.
Visit 1
At the initial appointment Dr. Natour will discuss the aesthetic and clinical goals of the veneers with the patient. A simulation of the final result can be made for the patient and Dr. Natour to review. Once ready to proceed:
- The area to be treated will receive local anesthesia.
- The front of each tooth will be trimmed about the same thickness of the veneer, usually by 0.5 to 0.75mm.
- The shade and translucency of the porcelain veneers will be chosen using the shade guide.
- Retraction cord might be placed under the gum to create perfect edge for the veneers. An impression will be taken.
- The impressions are sent to the lab to fabricate the veneers.
- Temporary veneers will be made and cemented. They will look as similar as possible to your natural teeth.
Visit 2:
- Upon receiving the newly fabricated veneers, Dr. Natour will evaluate them, checking the fit, shape and color. He will decide what color cement to use to create the most natural look. Because the veneers are thin and translucent, it is crucial to select the correct cement color in order not to alter the desired shade of the veneer.
- The tooth surfaces will be etched with an acid etch gel for 20 seconds. This will create microscopic pores on the tooth surfaces that help with bonding of veneers to the enamel.
- The etching gel will be washed off the teeth and veneers. After drying the teeth and veneers, a layer of clear bonding agent will be placed on the enamel.
- Cement (in the color previously chosen) is then placed inside the veneer, which is then inserted into place. Once it has been positioned properly, Dr. Natour will set the cement by shining a curing light on the teeth.
- Any extra cement will be removed. Trimming and polishing will be done if necessary. The bite will be checked.
- Dr. Natour will ensure that you will be satisfied and comfortable with your new smile.
ONGOING CARE:
It is necessary to have good oral hygiene habits in order to keep your veneers looking flawless for an extended period of time. We recommend using soft bristle tooth brush, twice a day gentle brushing and daily flossing. Our hygienists will instruct you on proper flossing and brushing for veneers. It is important to prevent gum disease, inflammation and therefore gum recession. Gum recession negatively impacts the overall appearance of the veneers and your smile. It is important that you receive frequent dental checkups and cleanings when you have veneers.
Also, avoid chewing on hard objects such as ice, fingernails, pen or pencil. If you have the habit of grinding or clenching, speak to Dr. Natour. He can offer you treatment options before your veneers get damaged. Lastly, smoking will cause your veneers to get stained and discolored and can cause gum disease. It is strongly recommended that patients with veneers do not smoke or vape.
COMPLICATIONS:
The most common complication associated with dental veneers is directly linked to poor oral hygiene habits. When the patient does not brush and floss effectively, and does not receive regular professional cleanings, the tooth structure under the veneer will start to decay. Over time, the decay can become recurrent, which will cause the veneer(s) to fall out. In such cases, the teeth need to be cleaned of all decay, and new veneers or possibly crowns must be fabricated.
INSURANCE COVERAGE:
Due to the primarily cosmetic nature of dental veneers, the vast majority of dental insurances will deny coverage for veneers. In certain rare cases, where the existing decay or fracture is significant, your insurance can allow some level of coverage. The office of Dr. Mazen Natour will handle all insurance matters for its patients. Please call us if you have any questions about your coverage.