Kind Dental offers porcelain veneers in Scotch Plains as part of our cosmetic dentistry services. Led by sisters Dr. Kashfia Vohra and Dr. Karishma Chopra, our team designs and creates veneers in our own office and takes time to learn what you want to change about your smile.
What Are Porcelain Veneers?
A porcelain veneer is a thin shell custom-made to fit the front surface of a tooth. According to the American Dental Association, porcelain veneers are strong, long-lasting, and natural-looking. Unlike a crown, which covers the entire tooth, a veneer covers only the front.
The ADA lists two main types: porcelain and composite. Composite veneers are made from tooth-colored filling material, may need less enamel removed, and are easier to repair, but they are not as stain- or wear-resistant. Porcelain tends to cost more, so we talk through which option fits your goals and budget.
What Porcelain Veneers Can Treat
Veneers are a flexible cosmetic option, but they work best when the goal and the tooth are a good match. Porcelain veneers may help improve teeth in these situations:
- Chipped or broken teeth: a veneer can restore the look of a small chip or break.
- Stained teeth: porcelain resists stains well, which can help when discoloration does not respond to whitening.
- Crooked or misshapen teeth: veneers can even out minor differences in shape and size.
- Gaps: a veneer can mask spaces between teeth.
For milder changes, dental bonding or teeth whitening may be enough, and we recommend the least invasive approach that fits your goals. If teeth need to move, Invisalign in Scotch Plains may be a better fit, and a smile makeover can combine several treatments.
Things to Know Before You Start
Veneer treatment is not reversible because a small amount of enamel is removed to place each veneer. A veneer may chip, crack, wear down, or loosen over time, and clenching, grinding, or a deep overbite may make veneers a poor choice. Some patients also notice more sensitivity to hot and cold after enamel is removed.
Your teeth also need to be healthy first. Decay or gum disease must be treated before veneers, because veneers over unhealthy teeth may worsen existing problems. Our exams and cleanings help us find those issues early. Veneers are cosmetic, so insurance may not cover them.
Bring your questions to your consultation. Ask how long your veneers may last, how many teeth need treatment, what happens if one chips, and what the full cost includes. We are glad to answer each one.
The Porcelain Veneer Process
Your first visit is a conversation. We look at your teeth and gums, ask what you would change, and talk about realistic results. We also check your bite, because grinding can stress veneers, and we make night guards that may protect your results. If you want a brighter color too, we may suggest whitening first, because veneers do not respond to whitening gel.
According to the ADA, your dentist removes a small amount of enamel, takes an impression or 3D scan, and has the veneer custom-made, sometimes with a temporary veneer in between. The veneer is then checked, adjusted, and bonded. Our 3D scanners may let you skip messy impression trays, and we help you choose a shade that blends with your natural teeth.
Caring for Your Veneers
Treat veneers like your natural teeth. The ADA recommends avoiding nail biting and hard foods or objects, wearing a mouthguard for sports, and going easy on coffee, tea, and red wine.
Brush with fluoride toothpaste twice a day and clean between your teeth daily, because you can still get cavities under or around a veneer. Tell us if your bite feels off after placement, and keep up with regular checkups so we can look at your veneers and the teeth around them. If a veneer chips or loosens, call us instead of trying to fix it yourself, because your dentist can re-bond, repair, or replace it.
