Will Porcelain Veneers Look Natural? Answers for Malta, NY

If you've thought about porcelain veneers for years and keep putting them off because you don't want teeth that look fake, Dr. Christina Cocozzo has a short answer for you: "Good, neither do I." Porcelain veneers that are planned with care can look like your own teeth. Here's what makes veneers look natural, how Dr. Cocozzo approaches cosmetic work at Cocozzo Family Dentistry in Malta, NY, and what to expect if you decide to go ahead.

Do porcelain veneers look fake?

They don't have to. Veneers are thin, custom-made shells bonded to the front surface of your teeth to improve their color, shape, size or length. Because each one is made for your tooth, the aim is a result that fits your smile instead of one that stands out.

Porcelain veneers also resist stains better than resin veneers.

Dr. Cocozzo's goal in every Cosmetic Dentistry case is a natural result. She believes that good cosmetic dentistry shouldn't draw attention from others to your new veneers. Instead, she hopes that it stops you from staring at the part of your smile you never liked.

What makes veneers look natural?

Natural-looking veneers start with the right question, and it isn't which famous smile you'd like to copy. "I don't start by asking what celebrity style you want," Dr. Cocozzo says. "I wanna see what you see when you look in the mirror."

Often it's one small detail. In Dr. Cocozzo's words, "Maybe it's the shape of one tooth, maybe it's the color." She describes it as the thing that has bothered you for so long that your eyes go straight to it in a picture. "That is what you focus on," she says.

That's where her planning begins. Her line for patients who worry about fake teeth is simple: "Let's see what would actually look natural on you."

How does Dr. Cocozzo approach veneers in Malta, NY?

Every cosmetic plan at Cocozzo Family Dentistry starts with a simple question: what do you want? Dr. Cocozzo doesn't focus on what's trending or what's fastest. She wants to know what would make you feel confident every time you smile, and from there she maps out the most conservative path to get you there.

Whether you've been thinking about veneers for years or you just want your teeth a few shades brighter, it starts with a no-pressure conversation. You can read more on our cosmetic dentistry page.

Placing porcelain veneers usually means removing a thin layer of enamel from the front of each tooth, so the decision can't be undone. That's one more reason the first step is a conversation, not a commitment. You can take things one step at a time, and the final call is always yours.

Can you whiten your teeth after getting veneers?

No, whitening won't change the color of porcelain veneers. Whitening products work on natural tooth enamel and don't lighten veneers, crowns or fillings.

That's useful to know before you decide. If color is the main thing that bothers you, ask whether teeth a few shades brighter might get you what you want. Veneers and whitening are both part of our cosmetic care, and either one starts with the same no-pressure conversation.

What happens if a veneer comes off?

If a veneer comes off, call us. One of our patients got veneers years ago and says "they came out perfect." Years later, one popped off while the patient was chewing on a T-bone in the kitchen.

The patient called Dr. Cocozzo right away and was told to come right in. "Popped it back on, no problem," the patient remembers, and thinks it was that day or the next. "And it's always been accommodating like that."

Our existing patients can reach us even when the office is closed. Dr. Cocozzo has used the same local Albany answering service for 30 years, with real people who will find her day or night.

Why do Malta patients choose Cocozzo Family Dentistry for veneers?

What sets Dr. Cocozzo's veneer work apart is where it starts: with the one thing your eyes go to in a picture, not with a celebrity's smile. She has been practicing for nearly 30 years, and she uses magnification for every procedure so nothing is missed. Before you even arrive at our Malta dental office, our team has reviewed your chart, your goals and your preferences.

She's a former Fourth District President of the New York State Dental Society, and she attends the Saratoga Dental Congress every year with her entire team, because continuing education isn't just for the doctor.

We offer financing through CareCredit and Cherry Financing, and we open at 7:00 AM Monday through Friday.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can porcelain veneers look like my own teeth?

Yes. Each veneer is custom-made for your tooth, and veneers that are planned with care can look like your own teeth.

Are veneers reversible?

No. Placing porcelain veneers usually means removing a thin layer of enamel from the front of each tooth, so the decision can't be undone.

Will whitening change the color of my veneers?

No. Whitening works on natural tooth enamel and doesn't lighten veneers, crowns or fillings.

Can I pay for veneers over time?

Yes. We offer financing through CareCredit and Cherry Financing.

Thinking about veneers and want to see what would look natural on you? Call (518) 899-5800 or contact our Malta dental office to schedule a conversation with Dr. Cocozzo.

Published by Cocozzo Family Dentistry (Dr. Christina Cocozzo).