Dental veneers are an excellent option for many patients with chipped, cracked, stained, or discolored teeth. This guide will cover some of the basic questions that patients should ask about dental veneers, as well as providing some of the general answers they can expect.

It is important to note that each patient is different, so it is still important to ask Dr. Barsky these questions and get specific answers for your particular circumstances.

Dental Veneer Color Selection

Dental Veneer Color Selection Tool

1. What are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that are bonded to the front of the teeth. Dental veneers can prevent cracks and chips from spreading, strengthen the teeth, and cover stains or discolorations. They are usually recommended for patients that have light to medium damage to the teeth, but do not require dental implants or other more involved procedures to restore their smile.

2. How are Dental Veneers Cared for?

Dental veneers are cared for just like regular teeth. They should be brushed and flossed regularly, ideally with a non-abrasive toothpaste. It is also vital that patients visit Dr. Barsky regularly, at least every six months, for a teeth cleaning and examination. This will help ensure that dental veneers last as long as possible while continuing to improve the way your smile looks.

Dental Veneers Before and After

View all dental veneer before and after photos, click here.

Dental Veneers Before and After by Dr. Todd Barsky

3. How Long do Dental Veneers Last?

Dental veneers generally last several years before needing to be replaced. The amount of time that veneers last can be extended by proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits and teeth cleaning. Additionally, patients should avoid chewing on extremely hard items like bone or nut shells, and should not use their teeth to do things like open packages, as this creates extra stress on the veneers and can cause them to need replacement prematurely.

4. What will Dental Veneers Look Like?

Dental veneers will look like natural teeth. The material that most permanent veneers are made from, porcelain, closely replicates the look of natural teeth, and can be colored to match a patient’s specific teeth. Moreover, the procedure for putting veneers on involves filing the teeth down a bit, which means that the veneers will fit perfectly into the patient’s mouth and result in a beautiful, natural smile.

Dental Veneer Placement Example

Dental Veneer Placement Example

5. Do I Need Temporary Veneers?

Patients need temporary veneers because the permanent veneers must be crafted in a dental laboratory. Permanent veneers are custom made to perfectly match a patient’s smile, and the patient’s teeth will need to be prepared before the measurements can be verified.

The preparation for dental veneers includes light filing of the teeth that will get veneers, so temporary veneers are necessary to protect the teeth while the permanent veneers are being crafted. The filing can make teeth sensitive to heat and cold, and temporary veneers will give a close approximation of what the patient can expect from dental veneers.

There are some instances where patients only need one or two veneers, and enough enamel remains on the tooth to protect it while the permanent veneers are being crafted. Additionally, Dr. Barsky may perform a chair-side fabrication of veneers, making the temporary veneers unnecessary.

6. How Long Will I Wait for Permanent Veneers?

Depending on the situation, Dr. Barsky may be able to create the dental veneers in one visit. Otherwise it will take 3-10 days for dental veneers to be crafted in a dental laboratory.

7. Are there Any Alternatives to Dental Veneers?

There are some alternatives to dental veneers, depending on a patient’s specific circumstances. Some patients might be able to achieve the results they’re looking for with teeth whitening. However, dental veneers are the best option for severely stained or discolored teeth, as well as chipped or cracked teeth. This is because whitening does not protect the teeth, and other procedures that do protect the teeth are more involved than dental veneers.