Dental Veneers

What Are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are made from thin layers of porcelain and are bonded to the visible surface of the tooth. The porcelain is about the thickness of a fingernail that are bonded to the surface of the teeth.

If you have stains, discoloration, gaps or misalignments on your teeth, you may consider dental veneers. Dr. Barsky has the training and experience needed to create a natural looking, functional and beautiful smile with dental veneers in Miami, Coral Gables, Pinecrest, or South Florida.

Meet Dental Veneer Expert and Board Certified Prosthodontist, Dr. Todd Barsky.

Uses for feldspathic porcelain dental veneers are many, including the correction of:

• worn and dull enamel
• discolored enamel, stained by soft drinks, coffee, tea, smoking, or certain medications
• natural or inherited unattractive enamel
• wear and tear which occur with age, such as chips, cracks, and grinding causing uneven wear
• abnormal spacing between teeth, which may be present at birth and widen with age
• uneven alignment
• tooth to gum ratio
• tooth length

Dental Veneers Before and After

Actual dental veneer patient of Dr. Barsky. View all dental veneer photos.

Are Dental Veneers Right for You?

Many patients stand to benefit from dental veneers. Patients might consider veneers if:

• Tooth enamel has become worn or dull
• Teeth suffer from an uneven alignment
• There is an abnormal spacing between teeth
• Teeth have age-related wear and tear
• Teeth have chips, cracks, or other damage
• Teeth experience staining or discoloration resulting from natural genetics as well as food and beverages like coffee, tea, or from smoking
• Patient has an abnormal tooth-to-gum ratio
• Patient has abnormal tooth length

The Benefits of Dental Veneers

Dental veneers have many benefits, both on their own and, for some patients, benefits when compared to dental crowns. The porcelain construction of dental veneers make the particularly beneficial for many patients.

Some of the benefits of porcelain dental veneers include:

1. More authentically replicating natural tooth structure and appearance
2. Porcelain is more resistant to staining when compared to tooth enamel
3. High color stability absent damage to the veneer surface
4. Easy to maintain and care for, just like natural teeth
5. Rarely discoloring, unless the surface of the veneer has been damaged.
6. Mimics the tooth structure and appearance better than any other restorative material.

A restored or improved smile can lead to:

• Greater self confidence
• Greater happiness
• Less anxiety about smiling

Dental Veneer Placement Example

Dental Veneers vs Dental Crowns

Dental veneers may be a better option for some patients than getting dental crowns. Porcelain veneers can be thought of as “conservative crowns.” They change the visible characteristics of teeth, rather than crowns, which encase entire teeth. Veneers can permanently alter teeth while preserving more of the natural tooth structure,compared to crowns that require removal of more enamel.

Dental Veneer Porcelain mimics tooth structure and appearance better than any other restorative material. It’s harder than enamel and resists staining better than enamel. It rarely discolors, unless the surface of the veneer has been damaged.

Some of the advantages of veneers over crowns can include:

• Preserve more natural tooth enamel than crowns
• Less intensive than dental crown procedure
• May be less expensive than crowns

How long will the Dental Veneers process take? Q&A with Dr. Todd Barsky

Dental Veneers Procedure

Dental veneers usually take three visits to be fully installed. In the first visit patients will receive a consultation to be sure that dental veneers are the right solution for them. The second visit prepares the tooth and takes molds of the teeth, and also attaches temporary veneers. The permanent veneers are installed during the third visit.

The steps included in each visit are as follows:

First Visit: Consultation

The first consultation is very important. During the appointment, the doctor will get to know you and how you feel about your smile. Consideration is also placed on the smile personality you want to project and how non-teeth related aspects such as facial shape, hair color, and complexion will affect the final result. The initial consultation is typically just a conversation with the doctor, without getting into an exam chair.

1. Review health history
2. Consult with a hygienist and Dr. Barsky to determine the best path forward
3. Diagnosis
4. Impressions of the upper and lower jaw are taken for diagnostic purposes
5. Photographs are taken
6. A full periodontal examination is performed
7. Patient receives education regarding oral care
8. Patient receives an oral cancer screening
9. Teeth are cleaned and any needed periodontal treatment is performed
10. The best treatments to meet patient’s needs are reviewed

Veneer Color Selection

Pick the dental veneer color that matches you the best.

Second Visit: Preparation

After you and the doctor have decided that porcelain veneers are the right option to meet your goals, there is some tooth preparation that may include a local anesthetic for your comfort during the procedure. To start, a small amount of the front surface of the tooth is removed (about the thickness of a fingernail), to allow space for the porcelain.

Then the dentist makes impressions are made of the teeth. The impressions will be used by a laboratory to fabricate your veneers. Very rarely, no tooth preparation is needed, but only in carefully selected cases. apply Then temporary veneers are applied while your porcelain veneers are being prepared made, which usually takes about a week.

1. Local anesthetic is applied
2. Removal of a small portion of the front of relevant teeth is removed to make room for veneers
3. Impressions of the teeth are made
4. Impressions are sent to a dental laboratory to craft veneers
5. Temporary resin veneers are installed

About Tooth Preparation for Dental Veneers

Third Visit: Completion

During your veneer placement appointment, the temporary veneers are removed, and your porcelain veneers are bonded to your prepared teeth. The newly placed veneers will be adjusted to ensure optimal fit and color.

1. Temporary veneers are removed
2. Individualized porcelain veneers are bonded to the teeth
3. Veneers are adjusted for size, alignment, and color

There is minimal recovery time, which only involves waiting for anesthetic to wear off.

Veneer Care and Maintenance

Dental veneers are cared for just like a patient’s natural teeth. Maintaining your beautiful new smile is simple. You care for your teeth as usual: brushing at least twice daily, flossing daily, and visiting the dental office every 6 months for professional cleaning. As long as the veneers aren’t damaged they require no additional care of maintenance. Your veneers can keep you smiling with confidence for many years.

The Advantages of a Prosthodontists

The Advantages of Using a Prosthodontist for Dental Veneers

It is important to choose the right dentist when a patient is considering dental veneers. The individual should have an artistic talent, and be specially trained in the proper procedures. Consequentially, a board certified prosthodontist is a trained dental expert in the art of dental veneer installation.

Prosthodontists specialize in restoring, repairing, and replacing teeth. It takes three years of additional intensive training to become a prosthodontist, and then must apply for certification from the American Board of Prosthodontics. The certification process takes another two years to complete, so prosthodontists have five additional years of training and certification when compared to an ordinary dentist.

All of this means a prosthodontist will have the skills and experience required to ensure patients get the best results from their dental veneers.

Dr. Todd Barsky is the only prosthodontist in private practice in the Miami area that is certified by the American Board of Prosthodontics. He will use the latest cutting edge techniques, procedures, and materials to ensure that patients get the best possible results from their dental veneers, and so have the best possible smile.

Should You Get Dental Veneers?

If you have stained, discolored, cracked, or chipped teeth you may be a candidate for dental veneers. Getting dental veneers is a major decision, and should be made in consultation with an expert to determine the best procedures and techniques to resolve a patient’s issues. If you are considering dental veneers and live in South Florida, Coral Gables, Pinecrest, or the Miami area, contact Dr. Todd Barsky, DDS, FACP, to set up an appointment. Dr. Barsky is a Board Certified prosthodontist in private practice in Miami. He will be able to determine the best procedures for your cosmetic dentistry needs.

Experience a visit at Barsky DDS