Custom Dental Veneers in Rochester, NY for a Natural, Lasting Smile

What are porcelain veneers, really?

Dental veneers are thin sheets of ceramic that are bonded to the front of your teeth, similar to the way a wood veneer might be put on a less attractive material to make them look beautiful. Because they’re ceramic, they’re sometimes called porcelain veneers, but don’t mistake them for the porcelain dolls in grandma’s china cabinet.
Porcelain veneers are actually made of highly advanced ceramics. Modern ceramics are so strong that they can be used in ways you would never think: hammers, knives, body armor, even tank armor! Sometimes they are blended with advanced plastics to add toughness so they’re even less likely to chip or shatter.
The result is a restoration that is very strong, especially when bonded to your natural teeth. Clinical studies tell us we can expect over 95% of porcelain veneers to be in place and looking good in ten years, and nearly 85% to be in place in 20 years.

Why porcelain veneers or laminates, as opposed to teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is usually the first option that comes to mind when someone is trying to achieve whiter teeth. But teeth whitening only addresses the color of the teeth and even that isn't always long-lasting. Not only can porcelain veneers fix a myriad of structural abnormalities, they’re often better at changing the color of your teeth than other methods, including teeth whitening, making your teeth even whiter. They also work on teeth that are discolored from within, which teeth whitening can’t affect. And the results last years, not months.

Why porcelain veneers or laminates, as opposed to dental bonding or crowns?

Dental veneers are also the optimal choice to repair worn or chipped teeth. Compared to dental bonding or crowns, veneers are more attractive and longer-lasting. And they work just as well for small or poorly shaped teeth. In some cases where the tooth needs more support or protection, we might recommend a dental crown instead. Every tooth's condition may require a different approach, so, very often the complete solution we recommend is a combination of veneers, crowns and other restorative methods. At the end, we ensure that you end up with a sparkling smile of consistently shaped, sized and colored teeth.

Why porcelain veneers or laminates, as opposed to orthodontic procedures?

For correcting crooked teeth or gaps in your teeth, dental veneers work much faster than any orthodontic choice. Within a month you can have a beautiful, straight smile — that's why they're sometimes called "instant orthodontics." Not only is the treatment process much faster, but the post-treatment maintenance is much simpler. For instance, many post-Invisalign treatments require continuous overnight wearing of retainers, just to keep your shifted teeth in place.

How long do veneers and laminates last?

Veneers can last 10–20 years or longer with proper care and regular dental visits. Even afterwards, they can be replaced with new ones. The life-span of dental veneers depends on a few factors, most of which are in our control. By "our" we mean us the dentists and you the patient. From our perspective, you have access to the most sought-after expert restorative and cosmetic dentists in the Rochester, NY area - Dr. Anna Belous and Dr. Adriana Palacio. These doctors are high trained in the most advanced materials, tooth preparation and veneer application techniques. From your side of things, as long as you follow good hygiene practices, brush and floss regularly, visit us for routine cleaning and exam appointments, keep being mindful of the foods you are eating and avoid excessive force, grinding and clenching, while wearing appliance or retainer protection as necessary, you should expect your veneers to last many years or even decades.

Do veneers and laminates look natural?

Yes, veneers are custom-designed to match your natural teeth in color, shape, and translucency. They look very natural. Very often, when you see a celebrity with a beautiful, sparkling, perfect smile - it's veneers! Our office works with hand-picked, carefully selected dental labs and veneer manufacturers using the most sophisticated, state-of-the-art equipment to fabricate veneers from the most advanced materials, while maintaining the doctors' strict specifications and guidelines for thickness, color shading and translucency that are first carefully measured and assessed using our lighting and other specialized equipment. We frequently review our labs' processes to ensure their highest product quality.

Is the procedure painful?

The process does typically require removing some of the tooth enamel structure to allow for the bonding of a thin layer on top of the natural tooth. It depends on the shape and condition of the actual tooth being treated. The process is generally comfortable, and we offer local anesthesia and sedation dentistry for patients who prefer a more relaxed experience. Our comprehensive sedation dentistry choices and compassionate, stress-reducing spa-like amenities are unparalleled in the Rochester, NY area.

Are veneers permanent?

Veneers are considered a long-term solution, as a small amount of natural tooth enamel is typically removed during preparation. Once you have opted for veneers, you should expect each veneer-bearing tooth to be so for the duration of the tooth's life-span. At some point down the road, oftentimes in many years, your veneers may need to be replaced with new ones, due to their daily wear. That is normal and we hope to be there to support your long-term needs.

Will I be able to afford veneers, if I needed them?

Dental veneers are a popular treatment, often chosen by those who would like to elevate their smile aesthetics to the next level. However, in most cases they are considered an elective cosmetic procedure meant to restore or change appearance. They do require some considerable time in the chair, depending on how many teeth are being treated, and involve dental lab fabrication. For these reasons they often bear a considerable cost. In most cases they are not covered by insurance, unless they are considered medically or restoratively necessary in specific cases, such as repairing structural damage from trauma, fractures, severe enamel loss or erosion or restoring oral function with bite rehabilitation, as well as treating congenital defects.
While Medicare and Medicaid provide zero coverage for this type of procedure, some private insurance plans may at least partially cover some of the cost, if restorative or medical necessity is demonstrated. In such cases, we could help you submit the necessary clinical and X-Ray documentation, as well as the detailed treatment plan to try to get the pre-authorization. Plan deductibles, maximum caps, waiting periods and other limits may still apply.
So, because every insurance is different and nuanced, we encourage you to talk to our amazing patient experience team, who will be happy to assist you with financially planning your treatment. We accept a broad range of insurances and can submit them to quickly verify your eligibility at the time of treatment planning, so that there are no surprises. We also follow our "access for all" philosophy that is rooted in believing that quality dental care should be available to everyone. That is why we go beyond insurance coverage and are often able to accommodate various payment plans with no and low-interest financing, for those that qualify.

‍