Porcelain Veneers: Costs & Procedure

What are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are custom-made, thin shells that enhance your smile by changing the shape, color, and overall look of your teeth. They are strong and long-lasting, stain resistant, and look natural.

Many dental patients opt for porcelain veneers over dental bonding or teeth whitening because the results last longer.

You may visit a general or cosmetic dentist to get porcelain veneers for a few reasons, such as the following:

1. Porcelain veneers can lengthen worn down teeth
2. Porcelain veneers can fill gaps between teeth
3. Porcelain veneers can cover up chipped, cracked, or crooked teeth
4. Porcelain veneers can give you a whiter smile if your natural teeth have discoloration

Porcelain Veneer Procedure Steps

There are several steps to placing porcelain veneers. Here’s how the procedure typically goes:

1. Your dentist will remove some enamel from the front and sides of your teeth to make room for the veneer.
2. Your dentist then makes an impression (a mold) of the prepared tooth structure.
3. You and your dentist will decide on a veneer shade that best matches your smile so that the veneer looks natural.
4. Your dentist will send the tooth impression to a dental lab that custom-makes the porcelain veneer to fit just right. This step can take several weeks, and your dentist will cover the teeth with temporary veneers to wear in the meantime.
5. At your next visit, your dentist will remove the temporary veneers and place the permanent veneers on your teeth to confirm the proper fit and appearance. 
6. Your dentist will clean your teeth before bonding the veneer to your tooth.

Benefits of Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are strong, which means they’ll last you a long time. Because porcelain doesn’t easily stain and you can choose the shade to match your smile, porcelain veneers can look very natural, as well. If you cover all of your teeth with whiter veneers, they also have a teeth whitening effect. 

Overall, porcelain veneers can give you a more beautiful smile.

Composite vs Porcelain Veneers

A composite veneer is made from a composite resin, which is a tooth-colored filling material, that bonds to the tooth. Typically, composite veneers don’t require as much enamel removal as porcelain veneers, and they tend to be cheaper, too. This also means that they require fewer visits to the dentist and are more easily fixed if they’re damaged.

While they can be repaired or replaced easily, composite veneers are not as durable or resistant as porcelain veneers. They are also not stain resistant. 

How Much Are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers tend to cost more than other types of veneers, crowns, and caps. But you get what you pay for — porcelain veneers will last you and give you the ultimate smile makeover.

Common Questions and Answers

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about porcelain veneers: