Can You Try On Veneers Before They're Made? A Nyack, NY Guide

If you're thinking about porcelain veneers, you probably have a picture in your head of the smile you want. The hard part is knowing whether the finished veneers will match that picture. Veneers aren't something you can easily undo, so it makes sense to want to see the result before any work starts. At Nyack Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, you can. Here's what veneers are, how we design them around your face, and how you can wear a 3D-printed version of your new smile before we touch a tooth.

What are porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made shells that fit over the front surface of your teeth. According to the American Dental Association's MouthHealthy guide to veneers, they can help teeth that are chipped, stained or crooked, and they can mask gaps.

Dr. Bodie puts it simply: "It's almost always veneers, but not many people know what veneers actually are." For most patients, the word means they'd like a better smile. Veneers are often part of how we get there, and many cosmetic plans combine two or three treatments, such as veneers with whitening or bonding. You can read more on our porcelain veneers page.

Veneers aren't the right fit for every mouth. MouthHealthy notes they may not be a good choice if you clench or grind your teeth or have a deep overbite, and decay or gum disease needs to be treated first. That's what your consultation is for.

Can you see your veneers before they're made?

Yes. At our Nyack, NY dental office, cosmetic work starts with a smile design built around your face. You see the result on screen first, then you wear a 3D-printed try-on of your new smile before any work is done on your teeth.

"With digital smile design, it's all based on that individual's face," Dr. Bodie says. That gives you a real voice in the result. He describes patients as "the co-architect or the co-designer of their smile."

If something about the try-on doesn't feel like you, that's the moment to say so. Our timeline includes room to change your mind, so changes happen before the porcelain is made.

Do porcelain veneers mean removing tooth enamel?

Yes. Placing a porcelain veneer means removing some enamel from the front of the tooth, and MouthHealthy notes that this makes the treatment not reversible. That's why precision matters so much with veneers.

Because your smile is designed digitally first, the design can come with guides that show how much to take off in each spot. Dr. Bodie says, "You're not guessing how much to reduce when it comes to veneers," and calls it "very precise and very conservative dentistry." You keep as much of your natural tooth as the design allows, and you've already seen the result on the try-on.

How do you care for porcelain veneers?

Care for veneers much the way you care for your natural teeth. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, since you can still get cavities around a veneer. MouthHealthy also recommends a few habits that help veneers hold up:

• Avoid biting your fingernails or chewing on hard objects and foods.
• Wear a mouthguard when you play sports.
• Go easy on drinks that stain, like coffee and red wine.

Plan any whitening first. Whitening does not work on veneers, according to MouthHealthy, so if you'd like your natural teeth brighter, talk with us about teeth whitening before your veneer shade is chosen.

Why do Nyack, NY patients choose Nyack Family & Cosmetic Dentistry for veneers?

Dr. Dwayne Bodie plans every smile so the result is settled before treatment begins. In his words, "you know the end result of what you're going to do before you even start." The 3D-printed try-on is how you get to see that end result for yourself.

His path to digital dentistry started overseas. Dr. Bodie joined the Army National Guard in 2016 and served in a facility already running digital dentistry. After eight months with it, he couldn't go back to molds and putty. He has practiced since 2007 and has owned this practice since 2008.

The design also starts with what you want. "Listening to what a patient even wants, what their expectations are, what their desires are, will guide you much more than just doing what you think you should do," Dr. Bodie says. Some patients want the best smile they can have. Others just want to hang on to what they've got. Your plan follows your goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my new smile before getting veneers?

Yes. You see your smile design on screen and wear a 3D-printed try-on before any work is done on your teeth.

How long does the veneer process take?

Veneers run across a few appointments while the design is approved and the porcelain is made. The timeline includes room to change your mind.

Are porcelain veneers reversible?

No. Some enamel is removed to place a porcelain veneer, which is why seeing the try-on first matters.

Can I whiten my veneers?

Whitening does not work on veneers. If you want your natural teeth brighter, whiten them before your veneer shade is chosen.

What happens at a veneer consultation?

We talk through your goals and whether veneers fit your smile. If they do, your smile design starts from there.

Want to see what veneers could look like on you? Call us at 845-358-5110 or book your consultation online, and we'll start your smile design together.

Published by Nyack Family & Cosmetic Dentistry.