Porcelain Veneers: What They Can Change & What to Expect

If you’re unhappy with the shape, color, spacing or appearance of certain teeth, porcelain veneers may be one option to consider. Veneers are thin, custom-made restorations placed over the front surfaces of teeth to change their visible appearance while working with the rest of your smile.

What Can Porcelain Veneers Change?

Veneers are primarily a cosmetic dental treatment. Depending on your teeth and what you’d like to change, Dr. Christine Chin may consider veneers for concerns such as:

Veneers are not the right treatment for every cosmetic concern. The health of the teeth and gums, your bite and the amount of healthy enamel available all matter when deciding whether veneers are appropriate.

Will Porcelain Veneers Look Natural?

That is one of the most important questions to ask before choosing veneers.

Porcelain veneers can be designed to coordinate with the color, shape and proportions of the surrounding teeth. The goal does not have to be an unnaturally white or perfectly identical row of teeth.

Dr. Chin can discuss the appearance you’re hoping to achieve and how potential changes would work with your existing smile.

Do Veneers Require Removing Tooth Structure?

Some tooth preparation is commonly required for porcelain veneers. The amount can vary depending on the tooth, its current position and shape, and the type of restoration being planned.

Because preparing a tooth for a veneer can involve altering natural enamel, choosing veneers should be considered carefully rather than viewed as a temporary cosmetic treatment.

Dr. Chin can explain how much preparation would be expected in your particular case before you decide to proceed.

What Happens When I Get Porcelain Veneers?

Treatment begins with an examination of your teeth, gums and bite and a discussion about what you would like to change.

If veneers are appropriate, the selected teeth are prepared as needed. An impression or digital record may then be used to create restorations designed for your teeth.

Depending on the treatment plan and how the veneers are made, temporary restorations may be used while the final veneers are being completed.

Before the final veneers are bonded in place, Dr. Chin evaluates their fit and appearance. Adjustments may be made as appropriate before treatment is completed.

Do Porcelain Veneers Hurt?

The amount of tooth preparation varies, and local anesthetic may be used when appropriate to keep treatment comfortable.

Some people may experience temporary tooth or gum sensitivity following treatment. Dr. Chin and the dental team will explain what to expect based on your specific procedure.

If dental treatment makes you nervous, tell us before treatment begins. We want you to understand what is happening and feel comfortable asking questions throughout the process.

How Long Do Porcelain Veneers Last?

Porcelain veneers are designed to be durable, but they should not be considered permanent for life.

Their lifespan can be affected by your bite, grinding or clenching, oral hygiene, habits and the condition of the underlying teeth and gums.

A veneer can chip, loosen or eventually require replacement. Regular dental examinations allow Dr. Chin to monitor the veneers and the natural teeth supporting them.

Veneers, Bonding or Crowns: Which Is Right for Me?

Different cosmetic and restorative treatments solve different problems.

Dental bonding can sometimes make smaller cosmetic changes by adding tooth-colored material directly to a tooth.

Porcelain veneers cover the front surfaces of selected teeth and can address multiple aspects of their visible appearance.

Dental crowns provide much more extensive coverage and are generally used when a tooth also needs significant structural restoration or protection.

There isn’t one treatment that is automatically best. Dr. Chin can evaluate your teeth and explain which options could reasonably accomplish what you want to change.

Are Veneers Right for Every Smile?

No—and that’s an important part of a good cosmetic dental evaluation.

Untreated decay, active gum disease, significant tooth damage, grinding or clenching, bite concerns or limited healthy enamel may affect whether veneers are appropriate.

In some situations, bonding, orthodontic treatment, whitening, crowns or simply leaving healthy teeth alone may make more sense.

The first step is understanding what you want to change and then determining the most appropriate way to accomplish it.