It’s hard not to look at someone with a bright, pearly white smile and ask yourself, “What are they doing differently than I am?” Sure, there are the common hygiene issues that can affect your smile such as smoking, coffee, red wine, and not brushing regularly. Yet, even if you have really great habits, teeth often become stained over time.
Porcelain veneers have the ability to not only transform your smile – making it bright white. They can also protect your teeth from further staining by providing a protective shell. Veneers aren’t just whitening tools, either. They help cover up chips, gaps, and cracks in teeth. They can also help even up a misaligned smile or overly”gummy” teeth.
However, there are some misconceptions about them. So, let’s clear some of those up now.
Misconceptions about Porcelain Veneers
- They look (and feel) fake – In the past, this may have been true. However, with modern advancements in dental technology, veneers no longer have that opaque, thick looking artificial appearance of yesteryear. The porcelain veneers used today are carefully handcrafted and custom-made for each individual tooth and look as natural as your real teeth. They blend seamlessly with your smile and enhance the aesthetic appeal of your mouth. At Tribeca Advanced Dentistry’s downtown New York office, we can even help you design your smile before we place your veneers by utilizing sophisticated 3D imaging techniques.
- The procedure is painful and causes long-term sensitivity – Although pain or sensitivity may occur while you’re wearing temporary veneers (as your permanent veneers are being fabricated) your final veneers will be so correctly formed that they will not cause pain, discomfort, or sensitivity.
- It requires cutting entire teeth – Although being fitted for porcelain veneers may require some initial tooth reshaping, it is only to accommodate the veneers you will be wearing and it’s done so there isn’t a bulky look. This process doesn’t involve excessive cutting and in certain cases it is unnecessary.
- They cost too much – Veneers are costly. However, at Tribeca Advanced Dentistry’s downtown New York office, we will work with you to understand your budget and try to fit within your financial needs.
Porcelain veneers compared to dental crowns and dental bonding
Porcelain veneers are designed to cover the visible surface of your teeth (the front and underside) and can be completely customized to lengthen or widen a tooth in order to fill in any chips or gaps. they are also ideal for enhancing the appearance of an entire set of front teeth and fixing crowded teeth problems.
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Dental bonding, on the other hand, involves an application to a specific tooth using a special substance. This composite resin is then shaped, hardened, and polished to transform the appearance of the tooth. For patients who only need to correct one or two specific teeth, this may be a better option.
For dental crowns, this is a a better option when the structure of the natural tooth has become weak or decayed. It is also used to correct dental aesthetic issues that can occur due to a diminished tooth structure. For example, if you undergo a root canal treatment you may want to opt for a dental crown to strengthen the weakened structure of the tooth.
Of course, the best thing to do is contact Tribeca Advanced Dentistry and find out which option is best for you, your goals, and your budget. Contact us by clicking here.