How to Make the Most of Your Porcelain Veneers

Veneers are a great way to address minor dental flaws like chips and discoloration when you want a fast, affordable way to improve the look of your smile. While porcelain veneers are designed to last for years, there are proactive steps you can take to get the most out of these dental devices.

At Park Dental NYC, we offer veneers to improve the size, shape, and appearance of your teeth.

YooKyung Park, DDS, Pat Ng-A-Fook, DDS, and our experienced dental team provide comprehensive services, including custom veneer design, placement, and ongoing care to ensure your veneers last as long as possible.

A quick overview of veneers

Veneers are thin, porcelain shells that fit over the front surface of a tooth. We design the tooth-colored shell to look just like your natural teeth, so there is no visible difference in thickness or shade.

Custom veneers are an effective way to cover up dental flaws like:

• Chips
• Cracks
• Discoloration
• Crookedness
• Uneven tooth shape or size

We use the advanced iTero® intraoral scanner to create impressions of your teeth, so a medical lab can create veneers that fit well. During a follow-up visit, our dental team removes a small amount of enamel before securing the veneer to the front surface of your tooth.

You can achieve a whiter, more symmetrical smile in just a few visits. With proper care, your veneers can last for 15 years or longer.

5 strategies to get the most out of your veneers

While porcelain veneers are made with durable, high-quality materials, you still need to treat them just like your natural teeth to prevent breakage or the loss of a veneer.

Here are five strategies we recommend to make your veneers last longer:

1. Avoid biting hard objects

Hard foods like pretzels, candy, and ice can prematurely damage your veneers. You should also be aware of biting objects absentmindedly, such as biting your fingernails or chewing on a pen.

2. Don’t use your teeth as a tool

Avoid using your teeth to rip open packaging, pop a bottle top, or crack open nuts. Keep scissors and other tools readily available to protect your veneers and natural teeth.

3. Brush and floss twice a day

Veneers can cover small dental imperfections but won’t protect your teeth from decay. It’s essential that you brush and floss at least twice a day to remove food particles and bacteria.

If you can’t brush, at least try to rinse your mouth with water to remove debris and prevent staining.

4. Wear your mouthguard consistently

People who grind their teeth (bruxism) at night can damage their veneers and need replacement sooner than usual. If you’re unsure if you grind teeth at night or clench them during the day, schedule a visit to our office for a complete checkup.

We can customize a mouthguard that protects against tooth and veneer damage. It’s important that you wear the guard every night and clean it daily to keep your smile healthy.

5. Book regular dental cleanings

Dental cleanings are an important part of a preventive dental care plan. We can remove plaque and tartar to keep your natural teeth in great shape.

Your visit also allows our dental team to check your veneers for chips or other problems. Additionally, emergency dental services are available to address a cracked or lost veneer.

Call Park Dental NYC in Midtown East, Manhattan, New York, today to schedule a veneer consultation or book an appointment online.