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Dental veneers are frequently used in cosmetic dentistry to conceal many imperfections and are considered one of the best ways to improve your smile. Depending on the condition of your teeth, goals, budget, and lifestyle, Century Dental Center offers several types of veneers, from the most expensive and natural-looking Porcelain veneers, durable Porcelain-fused-to-metal veneers (PFM veneers), long-lasting Zirconia veneers and less expensive Composite veneers. Call us for the perfect smile using the latest veneers.
The table shows 5 and 10 years survival rates for all types of veneers. The data was published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Dentistry in 2022
| Type of Veneer | Pros | Cons | 5-Year Survival Rate | 10-Year Survival Rate | Lifespan (years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lumineers | Most natural-looking, not as strong as porcelain veneers, and long-lasting | Most expensive | 98.5% | 97.5% | 10 to 20 |
| Porcelain veneers | Most natural-looking, durable, and long-lasting | Most expensive | 95.5% | 93.5% | 10 to 20 |
| Zirconia veneers | Very durable and long-lasting, can be done in one visit | More expensive than porcelain veneers | 94.4% | 93.6% | 20 |
| Porcelain-fused-to-metal veneers (PFM veneers) | More durable than composite veneers, can be done in one visit | May not look as natural | 92% | 91% | 10 to 15 |
| Composite veneers | Less expensive, can be done in one visit | Less durable and may not last as long | 80.1% | 53% | 5 to 10 |
* It is important to note the actual survival rate may vary depending on a number of factors, such as the quality of the veneers, the skill of the dentist, and your oral hygiene.
References:
The expected lifespan of veneers depends on the quality of the veneer material, but if well cared it can last over 20 years.
Dental veneers are thin shells of material custom-made to fit over the entire front surface of a tooth. Usually, they wrap around the sides and over a tooth’s biting or incisal edge, but the inner or back surface is left uncovered. Veneers are bonded onto teeth, creating a more cosmetically perfect appearance.
The cost of dental veneers depends on the number required and the material used to fabricate them. Porcelain veneers cost more than composite resin veneers but last longer. We can tailor your treatment to fit in with your budget.
| Type of Veneer | Average Cost per Tooth |
|---|---|
| Lumineers | $2,000 |
| Porcelain veneers | $1,500 |
| Zirconia veneers | $1,500 |
| Porcelain-fused-to-metal veneers (PFM veneers) | $1,200 |
| Palatal veneers (onlays) | $650 |
| Composite veneers | $500 |
Because dental veneers cover the front surface of a tooth, they can improve your smile, hiding any minor flaws and imperfections. They are fabricated to create a more flattering aesthetic appearance and can be fitted over any tooth visible when you smile. Veneers are suitable for upper and lower front teeth.
Veneers can be made from composite resin or porcelain. Other veneers are called prepless veneers or press-on veneers.
Porcelain is the most common material for dental veneers because it is strong, hard-wearing, and will not stain or change color. Modern ceramic materials look fantastic. Porcelain is well tolerated by the gums and should not irritate this tissue, and the veneers are very thin, so they look natural and feel comfortable.
Composite resin veneers are a cost-effective solution that is also called dental bonding. The composite resin is applied to the tooth surface, so treatment can often be completed in a single visit to Century Dental.
Usually, it is necessary to remove a small amount of tooth in preparation for porcelain veneers. However, some are called prepless or prep-free veneers and may require minimal or no tooth preparation.
These are even thinner than conventional porcelain veneers and are made from an exceptionally strong ceramic material, so they can also last longer.
However, prep-free veneers are not suitable for everyone, and it may still be necessary to remove some tooth structure, for example, when bringing teeth back into alignment.
These veneers are also called snap-on or pop-on veneers and are removable.
Conventional composite resin and porcelain veneers are all non-removable and are bonded firmly onto teeth for their lifespan.
However, press-on veneers can be less comfortable to wear and may impact speech. They don’t always look very natural and will not last very long. You cannot sleep in these veneers, and you must clean them thoroughly as they can easily trap food and dental plaque, increasing your risk of gum disease and tooth decay.
Dental veneers might be a good solution for anyone concerned about the appearance of their teeth, as treatment can correct numerous small flaws. These include:
Dental Veneers can hide teeth imperfections, teeth that are discolored and which cannot be brightened with professional teeth whitening treatments.
Dental veneers can close or minimize gaps between teeth and mask the appearance of teeth that are not an ideal shape or size. We can also use this treatment to correct the alignment of teeth that might be rotated or crooked, but where adult orthodontics isn’t really needed or desired.
Our best cosmetic dentist specializing in veneering teeth will only recommend dental veneers if your teeth are generally strong and healthy and do not have large cavities or fillings. They are less suitable for teeth with extensive decay or which have lost a large part of their original structure.
We are less likely to recommend this treatment for people with other dental problems like gum disease. If this is the case, we will want to treat these issues first before reviewing your oral health to determine if dental veneers are the best option. Otherwise, we can suggest alternatives to veneers to cosmetically improve the appearance of teeth that are more extensively damaged, such as dental crowns that cover the entire tooth and provide additional strength and restore structure to the tooth.
Before you can have veneers, our dentist will:
First, we will prepare your teeth using a local anesthetic to ensure you are comfortable during preparation. The amount of tooth structure removed is tiny, as a conventional porcelain veneer is around 0.5mm thick. Prepless veneers are around 0.2 mm thick. Once we have shaped your teeth, we take a dental impression and select a suitable shade for your new veneers.
If you wish to have just one or two veneers, this shade will blend beautifully with the rest of your front teeth. If you choose to cover all the teeth in your smile line with veneers, we can select a slightly lighter shade if desired.
The impression and prescription for your new veneers are sent to the dental laboratory, which will make your veneers so they fit precisely, and in a shape and size that complements your appearance and fits in with existing teeth. In the meantime, we can fit temporary veneers.
When your new veneers are ready, you return to Century Dental Center so we can try them in and ensure they fit precisely and look and feel good. You will get to approve their appearance before we permanently bond them onto your teeth. If you wish for any changes to their appearance, please speak up before we bond them into place, as we can liaise closely with our dental laboratory to ensure you get perfect results.
After your veneers are fitted, you can immediately return to everyday activities. Initially, they might feel a bit strange until you become accustomed to them. This is perfectly normal; soon, they should feel like they have been in place forever.
Composite resin veneers are applied directly to tooth surfaces, so minimal or no preparation is necessary.
A suitable shade of composite resin is chosen, the tooth surface is prepared by lightly etching it to increase the bond between the tooth and the material, and the resin is applied and hardened. Once hard, it is shaped and polished.
The advantages of treatment include the following:
Potential disadvantages of treatment include the following.
Caring for your dental veneers is simple. You can brush them twice daily using a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste and floss around them daily. Avoid using your teeth as tools or biting down on especially hard foods like ice cubes or popcorn kernels.
If an action or food could damage your natural teeth, there is a real risk it will chip or crack your veneers, which would need replacing. Ensure you visit us for regular dental checkups and hygiene appointments so we can check the condition of your veneers and clean them professionally.
Dental veneers can be an excellent choice if you want a Hollywood-style smile that looks bright and vibrant. We can also use this treatment to provide more subtle results or combine it with other procedures, for example, tooth whitening, so you would whiten your teeth first before selectively veneering some teeth to create a more aesthetically pleasing, healthy white smile. This approach can be more conservative and cost-effective.
Century Medical and Dental Center is an accredited healthcare facility in NY that operates in accordance with Article 28, a public health law. This law regulates and recognizes accreditation for public healthcare facilities, ensuring they are licensed and operated correctly. By undergoing the Article 28 process and achieving accreditation, Century Medical and Dental Center demonstrates its commitment to meeting the highest standards of care.
As a multidisciplinary medical center, we have highly qualified doctors, nurses, and support staff who are working hard to provide the best medical care to patients in Midtown Manhattan, NY, Downtown Brooklyn, NY, including Brooklyn Heights, Dumbo, Prospect Heights, Park Slope, Clinton Hill, Boerum Hill, Red Hook, and Bedford-Stuyvesant.