Dental Veneers and Dental Laminates Plainview, NY

June 16, 2023
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Written By: Dr. Nadia Rivera

Dental veneers, also known as dental laminates, are custom-made, ultra-thin shells placed on the front surface of teeth to enhance their appearance. Veneers effectively conceal stained, chipped, or uneven teeth, resulting in a natural-looking and improved smile.

Reasons to Consider Dental Veneers in Plainview, NY

Dental veneers offer significant benefits for people seeking a lasting solution to persistent cosmetic issues that other dental treatments like teeth whitening, braces, or retainers may not effectively address.

Dental veneers are particularly beneficial when addressing various dental imperfections, such as:

  • Stains and Discoloration: Veneers can effectively hide discoloration and stubborn stains unresponsive to traditional whitening methods.
  • Chips and Minor Tooth Damage: Veneers can conceal small chips or missing pieces, restoring the natural appearance of the teeth.
  • Worn-Out Teeth and Enamel: Dental veneers can cover worn or dull enamel, revitalizing the tooth’s aesthetics and protecting it from further damage.
  • Slight Tooth Decay: In cases of minor tooth decay, veneers can provide an effective solution to restore the tooth’s appearance and prevent further deterioration.
  • Mildly Crooked or Misaligned Teeth: Veneers can improve the appearance of slightly crooked or misaligned teeth, providing a straighter smile.
  • Gaps Between Teeth: Dental laminates can close gaps between teeth, including “black triangles” caused by gum disease, enhancing overall dental aesthetics.

Additional Benefits of Dental Veneers

  • Correcting Tooth Length and Width: Veneers can be used to adjust the size and proportions of teeth for a more balanced smile.
  • Addressing Tooth Decay, Erosion, and Wear: Dental laminates are effective in treating minor tooth decay, erosion, and excessive wear, restoring dental health and function.
  • Concealing Screw Holes or Root Canal Openings: Veneers can cover unsightly screw holes on dental implant crowns or root canal openings, ensuring a seamless and natural appearance.
  • Replacing Existing Bonding: Veneers can be an upgrade over previous bonding procedures, providing superior and longer-lasting restorations.
  • Enhancing Oral Health: Veneers can help close gaps between teeth, preventing food impaction and promoting better oral hygiene.
  • Creating Even Tooth Shapes: Dental laminates can reshape teeth, creating a more uniform and aesthetically pleasing smile.
  • Achieving Consistent Tooth Color: Veneers can provide a uniform and consistent tooth color, regardless of previous dental work.
  • Brightening Your Smile: Dental veneers can significantly improve the brightness and radiance of your smile, boosting your overall confidence.

Why Choose Porcelain Veneers Over Composites?

Natural Looking Smile

Porcelain veneers are individually crafted to match the natural color of your teeth, providing a seamless blend. They possess a lifelike quality, reflecting light similarly to natural tooth enamel. Additionally, porcelain veneers are highly resistant to staining, making them an excellent choice for addressing cosmetic dental issues.

Their ability to replicate the appearance and texture of natural teeth ensures that others will only detect dental work if you disclose it. 

Durability and Low Maintenance

Porcelain veneers offer a long-lasting solution, exhibiting superior resistance to stains and decay compared to natural teeth. Their non-porous surface effectively resists discoloration and cavities, surpassing the porous nature of natural enamel. Porcelain veneers can endure for 10 to 15 years or longer with proper care.

Porcelain veneers require no special maintenance beyond regular oral hygiene practices. Brushing twice a day, daily flossing, and periodic visits to your dentist are generally sufficient to maintain the health and longevity of porcelain veneers.

Minimal Removal of Enamel

Preserving tooth enamel is crucial as it cannot regenerate once lost. Fortunately, porcelain veneers necessitate only minimal removal of the tooth’s surface layer. This approach ensures the veneer can be bonded seamlessly without causing an unnatural appearance. Due to the minimally invasive nature of the veneering process, local anesthesia may not be required, further enhancing patient comfort.

Simple 5-Step Procedure for Dental Veneers

The placement of dental veneers typically involves one to two dental appointments, depending on whether the veneer is prefabricated or custom-made in a laboratory.

Preparation and Shade Selection 

Local anesthesia is generally not required for veneer placement. The dentist will begin by cleaning the tooth and determining the appropriate shade for the veneer. A small amount of enamel will be gently removed to create space for the veneer.

Impression and Temporary Veneer 

An impression of the tooth will be taken for the laboratory to create the permanent veneer. Meanwhile, a temporary veneer will be placed on the tooth, secured with spot etching away from the margins.

Veneer Delivery and Bonding 

Once the laboratory completes the porcelain veneer, the temporary veneer is removed. The tooth is cleaned with pumice and water, and the veneer is etched, rinsed, and dried. Adhesive material is applied to the tooth, followed by the veneer’s placement to ensure a precise fit and contour.

Light Curing 

To bond the veneer to the tooth structure, it is light-cured for approximately 60 seconds, covering all surfaces.

Final Touches 

Excess material is removed, and the dentist polishes the veneer’s margins, ensuring a seamless blend with the surrounding teeth.

Following the procedure, your dentist may schedule a follow-up visit to ensure the veneer’s comfort and longevity. A comfortable and well-fitting veneer is more durable in the long run.

Photo of Dentist in Mask

Veneers vs. Crowns: Understanding their Similarities and Differences

Similarities

Dental veneers and dental crowns share some common characteristics in their purpose and care:

  • Enhancing appearance and function: Both veneers and crowns are dental treatments designed to improve the aesthetics and functionality of damaged teeth. They can address issues like discoloration, misalignment, decay, chips, cracks, and fractures.
  • Natural appearance: Veneers and crowns are customized to match the color of your natural teeth, providing a seamless and cohesive smile. All-metal crowns are the exception, as they may have a different appearance.
  • Oral hygiene maintenance: Both veneers and crowns require similar oral care practices. Regular brushing twice a day, flossing to remove food particles, and routine dental visits for professional cleaning and check-ups are essential for maintaining their longevity.

Differences

While veneers and crowns have some similarities, they also have distinct differences as follows:

  • Purpose and coverage: Veneers primarily cover the front surface of the teeth, preserving the underlying tooth structure. Crowns are used when there is significant damage or need for restoration, covering the entire tooth.
  • Cosmetic vs. restorative: Veneers are mainly used for cosmetic purposes, enhancing the appearance of teeth and creating a whiter, straighter smile. Crowns serve a restorative function, addressing substantial damage or providing an alternative to large fillings.
  • Treatment scope: Veneers often involve treating multiple teeth simultaneously to achieve desired cosmetic results. Crowns are typically applied to specific teeth that require restoration, preserving the surrounding teeth in their natural state.

Dental Laminates in Plainview, NY for a Dazzling, Confident Smile

Transforming smiles with custom-crafted porcelain veneers, Dr. Michael Richer and Dr. Nadia Rivera at R+R Dental in Plainview, NY provide thorough care that corrects various cosmetic dental concerns. Achieve a new and improved smile through precise fitting and skillful application, and enjoy functional and flawless-looking teeth. Call us today at (516) 874-7834 to schedule an appointment, or contact us online.

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