Porcelain Veneers – Park Slope, NY
Get a Flawless Smile with Porcelain Veneers
Are you dissatisfied with the appearance of your smile? You are not alone. In fact, one-third of adults do not like how their teeth look. If genetics, poor lifestyle choices, or trauma have left you with several cosmetic flaws, your cosmetic dentist can help. Dr. Frank J. Sapienza can drastically transform your teeth with porcelain veneers in Park Slope. He can hide multiple issues using one minimally invasive procedure to give you a dazzling smile that lasts.
What are Porcelain Veneers?
Veneers are thin shells bonded to the front surfaces of your teeth to cover cosmetic imperfections. Porcelain allows the veneers to be thinner than traditional ones, so less of your enamel is removed during the bonding process for a minimally invasive treatment. Not to mention, porcelain closely mimics the appearance of enamel to give you natural-looking results.
How Can Porcelain Veneers Help Me?
Veneers are a versatile cosmetic procedure to improve the overall color, size, shape, and proportion of your teeth. They can cover several concerns, like dark tooth discoloration. Since porcelain is stain-resistant, your new smile stays bright.
Veneers are often the ideal solution for improving chipped, cracked, or abnormally shaped teeth. They can even resolve a gummy smile. In some cases, veneers can be used as an alternative to traditional braces to close gaps between teeth or make them appear straighter.
What Can I Expect?
After your initial consultation with Dr. Sapienza, you are scheduled for the first phase of your treatment. He cleans your teeth and lightly etches their surfaces. This allows your veneers to sit flush on your teeth. He takes digital impressions of your mouth to design your veneers. The dental lab carefully crafts them to meet your exact needs. This can take a couple of weeks, so Dr. Sapienza attaches temporary ones in the meantime. Once your final veneers are ready, you return to our office to have them bonded in place.
How Long Will My New Smile Last?
Although the veneers are thin, they are durable. Your new smile can last for an average of 10 years before needing to be replaced. There are several things you can do to protect your investment:
- Brush your teeth twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and nonabrasive toothpaste.
- Carefully clean in between each tooth and around the gum line daily with a high-quality dental floss.
- Do not use your teeth as tools to open packages.
- Do not chew on inedible objects, like your nails or pencils.
- Avoid biting overly hard foods with the veneers.
- Wear an athletic mouthguard when playing sports.
- Visit your dentist twice a year for a cleaning and checkup.
Even with the best prevention, a veneer may become damaged or come loose over time. Dr. Sapienza can easily replace it to restore your beautiful smile.
Invest in Your Confidence
You can love the smile you see in the mirror with porcelain veneers. Dr. Sapienza is specially trained in cosmetic dentistry to give you the exceptional results you deserve. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation for a flawless smile.
Porcelain Veneers FAQs
Veneers in Park Slope can give you the smile of your dreams, but they are a big commitment. It’s natural to have some concerns before you are ready to move forward. Dr. Sapienza will explain the entire process during your veneer’s consultation. Here are the answers to a few frequently asked questions to ease any anxieties about the road ahead.
Are veneers permanent?
Veneers aren’t permanent because they need to be replaced eventually; however, they aren’t considered reversible either. A small amount of enamel must be removed to apply veneers to the front surfaces of your teeth. Since your enamel doesn’t grow back, your teeth will always need to be covered by restorations, whether veneers or crowns. Don’t worry, although veneers are thinner than ever, they are durable. On average, veneers last for about a decade or so before needing replacements, but it’s not unusual for them to thrive for much longer with the right care, like committing to your oral hygiene and visiting your dentist every 6 months for a cleaning and checkup.
How many veneers will I need?
A veneer can be applied to a single tooth, such as to cover a stain or fix a chip. However, the overall goal of the procedure is to transform the entire smile. As a result, your cosmetic dentist in Park Slope will likely recommend bonding them to the teeth most visible when smiling. There’s no way to determine how many you’ll require without first looking at your mouth. Some patients may need as few as 4 to 8, while others may require up to 12. Dr. Sapienza will explain how many you’ll need during your initial consultation.
Can I use my dental insurance to pay for veneers?
Veneers are often classified as an elective treatment, so it’s rare for dental insurance to cover their cost, but there are some exceptions. If they are deemed necessary to your oral health, you may be able to use your coverage to offset the cost. This is often the case when needing replacements because your teeth will be vulnerable without them. Some patients can use their dental benefits to lower the cost of any prep work, like fillings or gum disease therapy. If applicable, we will work on your behalf with your dental insurance to maximize your annual allowance. A member of our team will explain how your benefits are being used and your payment options for any remaining balance, like third-party financing.
Do veneers feel like real teeth?
It can take a few days to get used to your veneers, but most patients report they feel completely natural in no time at all. Etching the surfaces of your teeth allows the veneers to sit flush, so you won’t have any ridges or ledges. Your veneers will feel smooth like your enamel when running your tongue over them. Dr. Sapienza uses advanced technology to get the exact measurements necessary to create your veneers. They’ll be crafted with the utmost precision to fit your teeth like a glove.