Porcelain Veneers

Transform Any Smile

To White, Stunning Perfection

Porcelain Veneers are thin, semi-translucent porcelain “shells” custom fabricated by a laboratory ceramist. Permanently bonded to the teeth and visible while smiling, veneers are a great option to alter shape and color of healthy teeth. The smile surface of the teeth is slightly reshaped - a conservative approach in comparison to a crown. A new smile is fashioned with minimally invasive dentistry. In some instances porcelain veneers are also placed in lieu of orthodontic treatment to create subtle changes.

Porcelain veneers are often recommended in the following situations:

• To close spaces between the teeth
• To repair broken, chipped or misshapen teeth
• To whiten permanently stained or discolored teeth
• To straighten misaligned, crooked teeth

Will they look like normal teeth?

When bonded to the teeth, the ultra-thin porcelain veneers are virtually undetectable and highly resistant to coffee, tea, or even cigarette stains. For strength and appearance, their resemblance to healthy, white tooth enamel is unsurpassed by other restorative options. Because they are thin, light can shine through them and they take on the natural color of the underlying tooth.

How durable are porcelain veneers?

With proper care, porcelain veneers will brighten your smile for many years to come.

Drs. Hochberg and Friedman will ensure that your veneers are crafted from the highest quality porcelains and are bonded with the most advanced and proven materials available.

The Porcelain Veneer Procedure

This procedure will require three appointments:

Diagnosis and treatment planning

At your first appointment Drs. Hochberg and Friedman will discuss whether veneers are the ideal treatment option to meet your needs and expectations; and they will review the corrective limitations of this procedure. With custom diagnostic and models and computer imaging you will be able to take an active role in planning your smile design.

Preparation

The second appointment will take a few hours depending upon the number of teeth involved. Although the porcelain veneer is very thin, the teeth are lightly etched to allow for the added thickness. A mold is taken of the teeth to be sent to the lab for fabrication.

In the interim, while the lab is fabricating your new veneers - approximately two weeks, you will be provided with temporary veneers. You leave our office with your smile intact!

Bonding

At the time of your third appointment, your dentist will first place the porcelain veneer on your teeth with water or glycerin to check their fit and color. At this point the color of the porcelain veneer can still be adjusted by the shade of the cement used to adhere it. Once the color is approved, and the veneer is ready to be applied, the tooth is cleansed with specific chemicals to achieve a bond. A special cement is placed between the teeth and the veneer and a visible light beam is used to activate the bond. Depending on the number of teeth involved, this appointment takes approximately two hours. We then schedule you to return for a follow-up visit after one to two weeks.

Porcelain Veneer Care

You may experience some sensitivity to hot and cold after placement of your veneer. This is due to the change of enamel left on the tooth after preparation. Sensitivity is totally normal and should dissipate after one to two weeks. If sensitivity persists please call the office.

Brush and floss as you normally would. Don't be afraid that you will damage your porcelain veneers by brushing and flossing. Non-abrasive toothpaste is recommended. A good home care regimen will insure the best esthetic success of your veneer.

If you clench your teeth, please be sure to let us know. Drs. Hochberg & Friedman may recommend a soft night guard for you to wear to minimize stress placed upon your teeth while you sleep.

We hope that your new porcelain veneers fulfill your esthetic goal. With proper home care and scheduled visits, they are sure to provide you with a beautiful smile for years to come.

Return to top