Composite Veneers

Yes. The resin is layered and shaded to match your teeth, then polished to the same luster as natural enamel, so the result blends in. Regular polishing keeps it that way.

No. Whitening only changes natural teeth. Whiten first with Philips Zoom in-office whitening, then the composite is matched to your brightest shade.

The resin itself can’t decay, but the tooth under and around it can, so the veneer and the tooth are both examined at your checkups.

Rarely. The resin is added to the tooth with only a minimal amount of enamel removed, so many composite veneers need little numbing, and local anesthesia keeps you comfortable whenever it helps. You eat and go about your day as soon as you leave. If dental visits make you anxious, sedation is available: nitrous oxide, oral sedation or IV sedation.

In many smiles, yes. A very dark tooth can show through thin resin, and then porcelain or a crown is the better choice. Dr. Godko tells you which.

Not when they’re shaped well. The resin is sculpted to the tooth’s natural contour so the result looks like your own teeth.

Polished composite resists everyday staining well, though coffee, tea, red wine and smoking can dull it over time, more than they would porcelain. Polishing at your checkups brings the shine back.

Like your own teeth, with two habits added. Brush twice a day with a non-abrasive toothpaste, floss along the edge of each veneer, and rinse with water after coffee, tea or red wine. Skip ice, hard candy and opening packages with your teeth. Keep your checkups, where the resin is polished, and wear your custom nightguard if you grind. Expect an occasional touch-up and, in time, a replacement.

Anyone with untreated cavities, gum disease or heavy grinding. Those are treated first, in-house.

Yes, when the bite leaves room for them. Dr. Godko checks how your teeth meet before planning.

Yes, and straightening comes first: Invisalign moves the teeth, then composite perfects their shape. Composite placed before Invisalign would be adjusted or replaced after the teeth move.

You may be a good candidate if your teeth and gums are healthy and you want to change stains, chips, small gaps, worn edges or slightly uneven teeth.

Only the teeth that show when you smile and that you want changed: one tooth, the two front teeth or the whole smile line. Dr. Godko counts them with you at the consultation, and your written plan shows the total.

If you clench or grind, yes. Grinding wears resin down quickly, and a custom nightguard worn at night protects the veneers and your natural teeth.

Both offices are ready to immediately assist. Composite is repaired by adding and polishing new resin, frequently the same day. See broken veneer repair.

Snap-on veneers are removable covers worn over your teeth. Composite veneers are bonded to your teeth and treated like your own.

They use the same resin. Bonding repairs part of a tooth; a composite veneer covers its whole front surface.

Not for purely cosmetic changes, but composite that repairs a broken tooth can be partly covered. We work with your insurance to ensure you receive the maximum benefit.

Composite is not porcelain. It lasts 3 to 5 years on average rather than 10 to 15, and it can stain and chip more easily, which is why porcelain veneers are the superior choice. In its favor: a lower starting price, one visit, minimal enamel removal and quick repairs.

No. The resin bonds to the tooth without harming it, and any cavity or gum problem is treated before the veneer goes on.

Deluxe Dentistry & Esthetics has two offices, in Lawrenceville, NJ and Skillman, NJ. Every procedure is available at both offices.

Yes: book online anytime at www.deluxedentistry.com/schedule-appointment. You can also call (609) 400-1393 or (609) 303-2005 during office hours.