Porcelain veneers are thin shells of dental ceramic bonded to the front of your teeth. They can change the shape, length, color and apparent alignment of the teeth that show when you smile, and porcelain reflects light much like natural enamel, so a well-planned veneer reads as your own tooth rather than a replacement.
Veneers are also a permanent decision: in most cases a thin layer of enamel is reshaped so the porcelain sits naturally, and that enamel does not grow back. That is why every veneer case at Parsons Smile Center starts with a consultation with Dr. Fady Salha, DMD, and why you see and approve the design before any treatment begins.
What porcelain veneers can change
- Color: stains and discoloration that whitening cannot lift, including on teeth that have darkened over time.
- Shape and length: chipped, worn, short or uneven front teeth.
- Proportion and spacing: small gaps and teeth that look out of line, when the bite itself is healthy.
Veneers do not move teeth or correct a bite problem. If your teeth are significantly crowded or your bite needs correcting, Dr. Salha will tell you, and explain the options before recommending veneers.
Your veneers, visit by visit
Consultation. An exam, a conversation about what you want to change, and the photographs and records needed to plan precisely. If there is decay or gum inflammation, that is treated first, because porcelain lasts longest on a healthy mouth.
Design and preview. You review the proposed shape, shade and proportions before any tooth is prepared, and refine them with Dr. Salha until the plan feels right.
Preparation. The teeth are gently reshaped under local anesthesia and records are taken for the dental laboratory that crafts your veneers.
Placement. Each veneer is checked for fit and color, then bonded in place. Dr. Salha checks your bite and you come back for a short follow-up. Most cases take two to three visits over a few weeks.
Benefits and limitations, honestly
Porcelain resists staining, looks natural and, with good care, often lasts a decade or more. It is not indestructible: a veneer can chip or come loose, especially under heavy grinding or if teeth are used as tools, and in time a veneer may need to be replaced. If you grind your teeth, a night guard protects the porcelain. For a single chip or a small gap, composite bonding can be the more conservative choice, and Dr. Salha will say so when it is.
Am I a candidate?
Most adults with healthy teeth and gums and a stable bite can be candidates for porcelain veneers. The consultation is where you find out for certain, and where you can compare veneers with whitening, bonding or ceramic crowns for your particular smile.
Why patients choose Dr. Salha for porcelain veneers
Dr. Salha earned his DMD at Boston University and serves as a clinical instructor at the NYU College of Dentistry, where he helps train the next generation of dentists. Veneers are judged one tooth at a time and one face at a time: the aim is a smile that looks like it has always been yours. You can see a real porcelain veneer case in our smile gallery, shared with the patient’s written consent, and you can be seen at either of our two offices, in Flushing, Queens or in Midtown East, Manhattan.
Porcelain veneers FAQs
Do veneers look fake?
They should not. The shade, shape and translucency are planned to suit your face and your neighboring teeth, and you approve the design before treatment. A natural result is the brief, not an afterthought.
Is getting veneers painful?
Preparation is done under local anesthesia, so most patients feel pressure rather than pain. Some sensitivity for a few days afterwards is common and usually settles on its own.
How long do porcelain veneers last?
With daily brushing and flossing, regular cleanings and a night guard if you grind, porcelain work often lasts a decade or more. Individual veneers can need repair or replacement over time, as with any dental restoration.
How much do porcelain veneers cost?
It depends on how many teeth are treated and what preparation each one needs, so you receive a written, itemized plan at your consultation, before treatment begins. We accept debit and credit cards as well as CareCredit financing. Veneers placed for cosmetic reasons are usually not covered by dental insurance; we check your plan for you.
