What are Porcelain Veneers?

Veneers are nothing more than thin, durable shells bonded over the front of your teeth, concealing any cracks, gaps, deep stains, and other cosmetic flaws holding back your smile. At Oelbaum & Kagan Dentistry, we offer high-quality porcelain veneers to achieve a realistic look that closely resembles the sheen of natural tooth enamel. The porcelain veneer is also crafted to mirror the proportions of a full, healthy tooth and should be undetectable amongst your surrounding teeth. Once cemented to the enamel, your veneer should fit comfortably within your mouth and completely renew the affected tooth. Best of all, porcelain veneers require no additional maintenance other than regular daily oral hygiene and often last for years — if not decades.

Porcelain veneers are often considered a treatment at the forefront of cosmetic dentistry. The treatment can be completed in-office within two appointments and veneers only require minimal tooth preparation to place. For such a simple treatment process, patients can enjoy the outcome for many years.

What is the Porcelain Veneers Process Like?

Composed of a strong ceramic material, porcelain dental veneers are thin coverings custom-designed to fit over the affected areas of your teeth. They require little removal of the original tooth. After Dr. Oelbaum makes an initial impression of your teeth, he will have your new veneer created to provide the best fit possible. Once the new veneer has been made, Dr. Oelbaum will bond it to the teeth with a durable cement, and then have it color-tinted to match the surrounding teeth. The entire treatment typically takes only two office visits.

One of the chief benefits of porcelain dental veneers is the length of results—in many cases, they last for decades. Plus, they look like your natural teeth! Oelbaum & Kagan Dentistry can improve the appearance of your teeth and give you a beautiful new smile with porcelain dental veneers.

Is There a Recovery Period Required After Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers do not require downtime after being placed, although it’s not uncommon for the area to feel sensitive or tender immediately after treatment. It’s normal to experience a brief adjustment period as you become accustomed to wearing your veneer. If you experience discomfort, it can be helpful to use toothpastes or rinses designed to reduce sensitivity. We also encourage patients bothered by sensitivity to drink lukewarm water and avoid very hot or very cold food/drink. There’s typically no need to take time off work or undergo any extensive downtime. Patients typically return to their normal routines immediately after their appointment.

Are There Alternatives to Porcelain Veneers?

Depending on the issue(s) you wish to correct, Oelbaum & Kagan Dentistry offers several cosmetic dentistry options that could prove to be effective alternatives to porcelain veneers. Teeth whitening can be used to treat stains and yellowing, Invisalign^® can be a great option for misalignments, and composite bonding can be a good solution for cracks or gaps. In addition, we offer Smile Makeover treatments that can comprehensively address several concerns for full smile enhancement.

Porcelain Veneers vs. Crowns

Porcelain veneers are often compared to dental crowns due to the aesthetic and functional benefits afforded by both procedures. Despite their similarities, there are a few key differences between porcelain veneers and crowns that distinguish each treatment from the other. In general, porcelain veneers are primarily placed for cosmetic purposes and can be very successful when employed to mask the appearance of minor dental flaws. Although the thin porcelain shells can be very durable and add strength to the tooth, porcelain veneers are not a solution to address severe enamel damage or decay.

In contrast, porcelain crowns can be an ideal option to exceptionally restore a weakened or impaired tooth. As sturdy “caps” designed to cover the entire tooth structure as opposed to solely a portion of it, porcelain crowns are often employed to inhibit further enamel damage, recover a tooth after a root canal, secure a dental bridge, or prevent an extraction, among other uses. While a custom-designed crown is usually an aesthetically pleasing restoration that can improve the look of your tooth and smile, its main function is rehabilitative in nature. Our friendly cosmetic dentists can help you determine the best treatment for your unique dental needs.

Porcelain Veneers vs. Lumineers^®

Lumineers^® are another type of cosmetic veneer used for the same purposes as porcelain veneers, but which differ in their thinner ceramic composition. Similarly utilized to hide common aesthetic imperfections, such as cracks, chips, gaps, and minor misalignments, Lumineers^® are slimmer than porcelain veneers and do not involve any prior tooth preparation or trimming of enamel before placement. As a result, the Lumineers^® technique is typically only suitable in select cases that can allow a natural-looking fit. Our dentists generally prefer to place porcelain veneers in lieu of Lumineers^® because they tend to more closely match the translucency of natural tooth enamel. Furthermore, the extremely minimal tooth preparation necessary can ensure each patient achieves results that blend beautifully and harmoniously with the rest of their smile.

Why Choose Oelbaum & Kagan Dentistry to Place Your Veneers?

While patients have endless options when it comes to their choice of dental provider, the team at Oelbaum & Kagan Dentistry stands out in many crucial aspects of treatment. When it comes to selecting a top team to place your porcelain veneers, our NYC-area office provides:

• Multispecialty team: Unlike many other dental practices, our team consists of dental specialists from every field of dentistry, including orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, periodontics, and endodontics. This offers our patients a one-stop shop for their entire treatment, eliminating the need for outside referrals and ensuring a seamless continuity of care.
• Beautiful results: The natural-looking and beautiful outcomes achieved by our dentists speak for themselves — just take a look at our extensive before-and-after photos in our smile gallery! Our goal is to enhance the form and function of your teeth and help you feel more confident about your smile!
• Attentiveness and patient-focused care: Dr. Oelbaum and our team want your visit to be as pleasant and relaxing as possible and we understand that patients may have varying levels of anxiety when it comes to their dental appointment. If you’re worried about treatment, our team will do our best to make you feel as comfortable and stress-free as possible.
• Unmatched patient satisfaction: We invite you to read our online reviews to help you get an understanding of the high quality of care you can expect from our entire practice. Whether you visit the dentist regularly or haven’t had your teeth examined in years, you can rest assured that our team will provide you with the gentle, compassionate treatment you deserve.