Porcelain Veneers
THINK OF IT LIKE A CONTACT LENS, BUT FOR YOUR TEETH
Porcelain veneers are remarkably thin, about 0.3 millimeters, roughly the thickness of a business card, custom sheets of porcelain bonded to the front of your tooth. We use porcelain because it mimics natural enamel better than almost anything else, and veneers can change the shape, color, size, and symmetry of your smile without touching what's underneath.
Not the Veneers You Remember
TODAY'S PORCELAIN LOOKS NOTHING LIKE THE OLD STUFF
If you're picturing the opaque, overly white "Chiclet" look of old-school veneers, or porcelain crowns fused to metal, modern porcelain has come a long way. Today's materials are stronger, more translucent, and made to move light the way your natural enamel does. The result is a veneer that actually looks like a tooth, not like it's covering one.
What to Expect
YOUR VENEER JOURNEY, STEP BY STEP
Getting veneers isn't a single appointment, it's a process built around getting your smile exactly right. Here's what that looks like:
1. The Interview & Consultation
We'll take digital images of your smile, talk through what you're hoping to achieve, and show you real examples of past work to help guide the direction. Whether you're considering two veneers or a full smile makeover, you'll leave with a personalized plan built specifically around your goals.
2. Your Blueprint
Once we've settled on a plan, we take detailed impressions of your teeth and send them to a master ceramist, who builds a wax model showing exactly what your veneers will look like and how they'll function. This step is about making sure your new smile looks great and holds up long-term.
3. The Preparation Appointment & Your Temporaries
We prepare your teeth as conservatively as possible, guided by the blueprint from step two, and fit you with temporary veneers. You'll wear these for a few weeks, giving us time to fine-tune anything, length, shape, symmetry, before we finalize your permanent veneers.
4. The Seat Appointment
This is the big day. We try in your finished porcelain to make sure it's exactly right, then permanently bond your new veneers in place and fine-tune your bite so everything feels natural. If needed, we'll also fit you for a nighttime guard to help protect your investment.
Common Questions
PORCELAIN VENEER FAQS
How long do porcelain veneers last?
With good home care, and a nightguard if you need one, veneers typically last 15 to 20 years. They shouldn't limit what you eat either, corn on the cob and apples stay on the menu.
How is caring for veneers different from my normal routine?
It really isn't. You'll brush, floss, and eat normally. Veneers resist staining better than natural teeth, and we use specialized polishing during your regular cleanings to help keep them looking new.
Are veneers painful?
Most patients don't experience sensitivity. We take a conservative approach, generally staying within the enamel layer, which doesn't have pain triggers, so there's little to no discomfort during the process.
Can veneers be whitened?
No, porcelain doesn't respond to whitening treatments the way natural teeth do, but it also won't fade or discolor over time the way enamel can. If something looks off, it's usually the natural tooth behind or beside the veneer, and we can talk through your options.
Are veneers covered by insurance?
Typically not, since insurance generally covers restorative work rather than cosmetic procedures. There are exceptions, for example replacing a faulty crown or large filling, so it's worth asking us directly about your specific situation.
How much do veneers cost?
Cost depends on the number of veneers, the materials used, and the complexity of your case. We'll walk you through detailed pricing and your options during a consultation.
