Porcelain veneers

What it is

A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain (a strong, glass-like dental ceramic) bonded to the front of a tooth. Each one is made by a dental lab to fit one tooth. Porcelain reflects light much like enamel (the hard outer layer of a tooth), and it resists stains well.

To make room for a veneer, your dentist usually removes a thin layer of enamel. Enamel doesn’t grow back, so that tooth will always need a veneer or another covering. This is the main trade-off, so it’s worth talking through first.

Who it helps

Veneers may be an option if your front teeth are:

• Chipped, worn, or uneven
• Stained in ways that whitening can’t lift
• Spaced with small gaps
• A shape or size you’d like to change

Cavities and gum disease need treatment first. If you grind your teeth, veneers can chip, so your dentist may suggest a night guard. Teeth that are quite crooked may do better if they’re straightened first.

What happens

1. Exam and planning. Dr. Minici checks your teeth, gums, and bite, and asks what you’d like to change. You choose a shade together, and impressions (molds or digital scans) are taken. Some plans include a preview, so you can see the new shape first.
2. Preparing the teeth. We numb the area, which feels like a quick pinch. Then a thin layer of enamel is removed from each tooth. Most people feel only vibration and pressure.
3. Temporary veneers. While a dental lab makes your veneers, you may wear temporary ones. They can feel a little rough or bulky.
4. Bonding. Your dentist checks each veneer’s fit and color. The tooth is treated with a mild gel that helps the cement grip. Then the veneer is pressed on, and a blue light sets the cement.
5. Final checks. Extra cement is removed, the edges are polished, and your bite is checked. A short follow-up visit is common.

Recovery and aftercare

Most people go back to their usual day after each visit. Wait until the numbness wears off before you eat. Your teeth may be sensitive to hot and cold for a few days, and your bite may feel different at first. If it still feels off after a week, call the office.

To help veneers last, brush and floss every day, and keep up with checkups. Don’t bite ice, pens, or fingernails. Porcelain can’t decay, but the tooth under it can, mostly along the edges. With good care, veneers are designed to last many years, though they may need to be replaced someday.

Cost and insurance

The cost depends on how many teeth you treat, the material, and the lab work. Care you need first, such as fillings or whitening, adds to it. Once you have a plan, ask the office for an estimate.

Dental insurance usually counts veneers as cosmetic and often doesn’t cover them. If a veneer repairs a broken tooth, your plan may see it differently, so check first. Financing can spread the cost over time; see insurance and financing.

Alternatives

• Whitening. If color is all you’d like to change, whitening removes no enamel. It doesn’t change shape, and the results fade slowly.
• Bonding. Cosmetic bonding fixes small chips and gaps with tooth-colored resin, removing little or no enamel. It costs less, but it stains and chips more easily than porcelain.
• A crown. For a badly damaged tooth, a crown covers the whole tooth. It removes more of the tooth than a veneer does.
• Clear aligners. Clear aligners can close gaps and straighten teeth without changing their surface. This takes months.
• Leaving your teeth as they are. Healthy teeth don’t need veneers. You can take your time, or decide they aren’t for you.