Home/Cosmetic Dentistry/Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are one of the most common procedures performed by our Bronx cosmetic dentist, Dr. Victor Oelbaum. These versatile cosmetic solutions can correct a range of aesthetic dental issues, allowing patients to achieve picturesque smile makeovers. Composed of a thin, durable ceramic overlay that is bonded to the front of a tooth, porcelain veneers can hide the appearance of chips, gaps, stains, and even correct areas of teeth misalignment. Our custom-made dental veneers are designed for the most precise fit possible and can look like your natural teeth. Plus, they often last decades!

Please contact Oelbaum & Kagan Dentistry for more information on porcelain dental veneers at our New York City-area practice.

What are Porcelain Veneers?

Veneers are nothing more than thin, durable shells bonded over the front of your teeth, concealing any cracks, gaps, deep stains, and other cosmetic flaws holding back your smile. At Oelbaum & Kagan Dentistry, we offer high-quality porcelain veneers to achieve a realistic look that closely resembles the sheen of natural tooth enamel. The porcelain veneer is also crafted to mirror the proportions of a full, healthy tooth and should be undetectable amongst your surrounding teeth. Once cemented to the enamel, your veneer should fit comfortably within your mouth and completely renew the affected tooth. Best of all, porcelain veneers require no additional maintenance other than regular daily oral hygiene and often last for years — if not decades.

Porcelain veneers are often considered a treatment at the forefront of cosmetic dentistry. The treatment can be completed in-office within two appointments and veneers only require minimal tooth preparation to place. For such a simple treatment process, patients can enjoy the outcome for many years.

What Can Porcelain Veneers Do?

Even the most rigorous brushing and flossing routine cannot stop normal wear and tear from affecting our teeth over time. Certain foods and beverages, the natural aging process, and dental injuries can cause both functional and aesthetic conditions such as:

  • Stains and discoloration
  • Chips
  • Cracks
  • Gaps
  • Misalignment

Porcelain dental veneers can better the health of your teeth in addition to masking surface imperfections, often providing results that look both natural and beautiful.

“Got my veneers done here with Dr. Kagan. He did such a wonderful job — he is extremely caring and careful with his work, leading to an amazing finished product. The staff is so friendly and helpful. They keep you updated throughout the whole journey. 10/10 would recommend!”
- Michelle C. | Actual Patient

Am I a Candidate for Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers may be an ideal dental solution if you are troubled by stains, cracks, chips, gaps, slight misalignments, and/or various other cosmetic tooth-related issues. As restorations secured to the front of each affected tooth, these durable ceramic shells are designed to mask the aesthetic concern(s) you are seeking to improve while matching the color, size, and shape of adjacent teeth for seamless smile enhancement.

What is the Porcelain Veneers Process Like?

Composed of a strong ceramic material, porcelain dental veneers are thin coverings custom-designed to fit over the affected areas of your teeth. They require little removal of the original tooth. After Dr. Oelbaum makes an initial impression of your teeth, he will have your new veneer created to provide the best fit possible. Once the new veneer has been made, Dr. Oelbaum will bond it to the teeth with a durable cement, and then have it color-tinted to match the surrounding teeth. The entire treatment typically takes only two office visits.

One of the chief benefits of porcelain dental veneers is the length of results—in many cases, they last for decades. Plus, they look like your natural teeth! Oelbaum & Kagan Dentistry can improve the appearance of your teeth and give you a beautiful new smile with porcelain dental veneers.

Is There a Recovery Period Required After Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers do not require downtime after being placed, although it’s not uncommon for the area to feel sensitive or tender immediately after treatment. It’s normal to experience a brief adjustment period as you become accustomed to wearing your veneer. If you experience discomfort, it can be helpful to use toothpastes or rinses designed to reduce sensitivity. We also encourage patients bothered by sensitivity to drink lukewarm water and avoid very hot or very cold food/drink. There’s typically no need to take time off work or undergo any extensive downtime. Patients typically return to their normal routines immediately after their appointment.

Do Porcelain Veneers Need Any Special Maintenance?

One of the greatest advantages of porcelain veneers is that they do not require additional maintenance aside from routine brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings. The veneers themselves are stain-resistant; however, maintaining recommended oral hygiene habits and receiving professional teeth cleanings at least twice a year is imperative to extending the lifespan of your veneers.

How Long Do Porcelain Veneers Last?

While porcelain veneers are not permanent, they are very durable and can last numerous years—often decades—for the majority of patients. As stated above, a major factor in enjoying long-lasting results is making sure to brush and floss on a daily basis, as well as visiting the dentist for professional cleanings two times per year minimum.

Are There Alternatives to Porcelain Veneers?

Depending on the issue(s) you wish to correct, Oelbaum & Kagan Dentistry offers several cosmetic dentistry options that could prove to be effective alternatives to porcelain veneers. Teeth whitening can be used to treat stains and yellowing, Invisalign® can be a great option for misalignments, and composite bonding can be a good solution for cracks or gaps. In addition, we offer Smile Makeover treatments that can comprehensively address several concerns for full smile enhancement.

Porcelain Veneers vs. Crowns

Porcelain veneers are often compared to dental crowns due to the aesthetic and functional benefits afforded by both procedures. Despite their similarities, there are a few key differences between porcelain veneers and crowns that distinguish each treatment from the other. In general, porcelain veneers are primarily placed for cosmetic purposes and can be very successful when employed to mask the appearance of minor dental flaws. Although the thin porcelain shells can be very durable and add strength to the tooth, porcelain veneers are not a solution to address severe enamel damage or decay.

In contrast, porcelain crowns can be an ideal option to exceptionally restore a weakened or impaired tooth. As sturdy “caps” designed to cover the entire tooth structure as opposed to solely a portion of it, porcelain crowns are often employed to inhibit further enamel damage, recover a tooth after a root canal, secure a dental bridge, or prevent an extraction, among other uses. While a custom-designed crown is usually an aesthetically pleasing restoration that can improve the look of your tooth and smile, its main function is rehabilitative in nature. Our friendly cosmetic dentists can help you determine the best treatment for your unique dental needs.

Porcelain Veneers vs. Lumineers®

Lumineers® are another type of cosmetic veneer used for the same purposes as porcelain veneers, but which differ in their thinner ceramic composition. Similarly utilized to hide common aesthetic imperfections, such as cracks, chips, gaps, and minor misalignments, Lumineers® are slimmer than porcelain veneers and do not involve any prior tooth preparation or trimming of enamel before placement. As a result, the Lumineers® technique is typically only suitable in select cases that can allow a natural-looking fit. Our dentists generally prefer to place porcelain veneers in lieu of Lumineers® because they tend to more closely match the translucency of natural tooth enamel. Furthermore, the extremely minimal tooth preparation necessary can ensure each patient achieves results that blend beautifully and harmoniously with the rest of their smile.

How Much Do Porcelain Veneers Cost?

The price of porcelain veneers varies according to your geographic location and the experience of your cosmetic dentist. In the Bronx, the average cost of porcelain veneers typically ranges from $700 to $2,500 per tooth. While this does not necessarily reflect the rates at our practice, it can give you an idea of the approximate expenses associated with treatment. Your true cost estimate will be more dependent on the details of your treatment plan, including:

  • The materials utilized
  • The location of the tooth/teeth treated
  • The number of veneers designed

In general, composite veneers tend to be less expensive than those made of porcelain. The cost of dental veneers can often be made more affordable with dental financing through CareCredit®, a highly reputable healthcare lending company that can help manage out-of-pocket costs. Qualified patients can pay for their treatment through a series of low monthly installments, allowing approved applicants to receive their porcelain veneers while accommodating any budgetary concerns. If you would like to learn more about the cost of porcelain veneers or how to proceed with financing, please call our office to speak to a member of our team.

Why Choose Oelbaum & Kagan Dentistry to Place Your Veneers?

While patients have endless options when it comes to their choice of dental provider, the team at Oelbaum & Kagan Dentistry stands out in many crucial aspects of treatment. When it comes to selecting a top team to place your porcelain veneers, our NYC-area office provides:

  • Multispecialty team: Unlike many other dental practices, our team consists of dental specialists from every field of dentistry, including orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, periodontics, and endodontics. This offers our patients a one-stop shop for their entire treatment, eliminating the need for outside referrals and ensuring a seamless continuity of care.
  • Beautiful results: The natural-looking and beautiful outcomes achieved by our dentists speak for themselves — just take a look at our extensive before-and-after photos in our smile gallery! Our goal is to enhance the form and function of your teeth and help you feel more confident about your smile!
  • Attentiveness and patient-focused care: Dr. Oelbaum and our team want your visit to be as pleasant and relaxing as possible and we understand that patients may have varying levels of anxiety when it comes to their dental appointment. If you’re worried about treatment, our team will do our best to make you feel as comfortable and stress-free as possible.
  • Unmatched patient satisfaction: We invite you to read our online reviews to help you get an understanding of the high quality of care you can expect from our entire practice. Whether you visit the dentist regularly or haven’t had your teeth examined in years, you can rest assured that our team will provide you with the gentle, compassionate treatment you deserve.

Additional FAQs About Porcelain Veneers

Will porcelain veneers look natural?

A porcelain veneer is specially fabricated to blend in seamlessly and harmoniously with the rest of your surrounding teeth. Not only is porcelain very aesthetically similar to the translucency of natural tooth enamel, but the veneer is also shaded to the exact tint of the rest of your smile. It’s important to remember that the quality of your final results relies on the skill and expertise of your dentist. If your veneer is placed by a knowledgeable and experienced cosmetic dentist, it should look and feel like a natural part of your smile. We invite you to explore the results achieved by patients who previously received porcelain veneers in our smile gallery.


Do porcelain veneers stain?

Porcelain veneers are stain-proof, but they’re still affected by bacteria buildup, decay, and cavities. To ensure your veneers remain in good condition for many years to come, it’s necessary to maintain excellent dental hygiene. We recommend brushing, flossing, and rinsing your mouth twice-daily to maximize the strength and longevity of your veneers. Keeping up with your regular dental appointments is also key to identifying potential issues before they worsen.


Can porcelain veneers be whitened?

No, whitening is not possible with porcelain veneers because the restorations are normally resistant to the bleaching agents found in both professional teeth whitening treatments and over-the-counter products. However, if your veneers do not blend in with the rest of your teeth anymore, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with our cosmetic dentists. It may be possible to recolor your veneer(s) so they appear more inconspicuously within your smile.


Are porcelain veneers covered by dental insurance?

No, porcelain veneers are considered elective treatments pursued solely for aesthetic reasons. Since veneers don’t present any medical necessity, they’re not usually covered by dental insurance policies. That said, many patients find the cost of veneers very affordable with dental financing options like CareCredit® and United Medical Credit®. These healthcare lending companies split the total cost of treatment into smaller, more manageable installments for qualified patients.


How strong are porcelain veneers?

Dental porcelain is among the strongest and most enduring materials used to fabricate veneers. While they should not become damaged by chewing hard or tough foods, bruxism (teeth grinding) and clenching your teeth can cause premature wear and tear. If you’re prone to teeth grinding or clenching while asleep, you may consider investing in a night guard to protect your restorations.


Will I have tooth sensitivity after getting porcelain veneers?

Men and women usually do not struggle with tooth sensitivity after getting veneers, but there are ways to mitigate sensitivity if you’re feeling discomfort. Toothpastes and dental products formulated to treat sensitivity, such as Sensodyne®, can provide relief. In addition, we recommend refraining from consuming food and drinks at extreme temperatures.

To find out what porcelain veneers can do for your smile, please feel free to contact our office online or by phone to schedule an appointment.