Veneers
Veneers are thin, custom-made restorations designed to cover the visible front surfaces of teeth. They are individually fabricated by a dental laboratory and securely bonded to the teeth using special dental adhesive. Veneers can improve the color, shape, size, spacing, symmetry and overall appearance of the smile while preserving much of the underlying tooth structure. Modern dental porcelain can closely reproduce the color, translucency, texture, and light-reflecting qualities of natural enamel. When carefully designed, veneers should blend naturally with the surrounding teeth rather than appear artificial. They are most commonly placed on the front teeth that show when you smile.
Types Of Veneers
Veneers can be fabricated from different materials, Porcelain (Glass Ceramic), Composite Resin and Zirconia.
Porcelain Veneers
Feldspathic Ceramic
Feldspathic ceramic is one of the oldest and most esthetic dental ceramics used in cosmetic dentistry. It is composed primarily of glass-based porcelain and is carefully layered by a skilled dental ceramist to create restorations that closely resemble the appearance of natural teeth. Because of its exceptional translucency, depth of color and ability to mimic the optical properties of enamel, feldspathic ceramic has long been considered the gold standard for achieving the highest level of esthetics.
Although feldspathic ceramic is not as strong as newer restorative materials, its unmatched esthetics continue to make it the preferred choice for many cosmetic dentists and master ceramists when creating veneers for highly visible front teeth. In carefully selected patients, feldspathic veneers can provide exceptionally natural and beautiful results that remain stable for many years with proper care.
Unlike many other ceramic materials that are milled from prefabricated blocks, feldspathic veneers are typically handcrafted by layering thin porcelain powders and then firing them in a porcelain furnace. This highly artistic process allows the ceramist to customize subtle variations in color, translucency, surface texture and internal characterization that are difficult to impossible to reproduce with other materials.
Lithium Disilicate (IPS e.max®, LiSi Press, Amber Press, etc.)
Lithium disilicate is a high-strength glass ceramic that has become one of the most widely used materials for porcelain veneers. It offers an excellent balance of strength, durability and esthetics, making it suitable for a wide range of cosmetic and restorative treatments.
Compared with traditional feldspathic porcelain, lithium disilicate is significantly stronger while still providing excellent translucency and a natural appearance, although it generally does not achieve the same level of esthetics as feldspathic ceramic. Its optical properties closely resemble those of natural enamel, allowing veneers to blend harmoniously with the surrounding teeth. Although feldspathic porcelain may offer the highest level of artistic characterization in certain cases, lithium disilicate provides highly esthetic results with greater resistance to chipping and fracture.
One of the major advantages of lithium disilicate is its ability to bond predictably to tooth enamel. This durable adhesive bond contributes significantly to the long-term success of veneers by improving both retention and fracture resistance.
Zirconia
Zirconia veneers are a much less common alternative to traditional porcelain veneers made from feldspathic ceramic or lithium disilicate. While zirconia is an outstanding material for crowns, it has several characteristics that make it by far less suitable for highly esthetic veneer cases.
First, zirconia cannot fully match the optical properties of high-quality glass ceramics, often resulting in a restoration that appears more opaque and less natural. In addition, zirconia cannot be bonded as predictably as glass ceramics, making the bonding process more technique-sensitive and increasing the potential risk of debonding over time. Finally, there is considerably less long-term clinical evidence supporting zirconia veneers compared with feldspathic porcelain and lithium disilicate veneers.
At Lakeview Dental, we do not utilize zirconia for veneers because we believe its disadvantages by far outweigh the additional strength it provides. It is not uncommon for patients who have zirconia veneers to seek replacement with more esthetic glass ceramic restorations.
Composite Veneers
Resin Veneers
Composite resin veneers are tooth-colored restorations made from the same composite material commonly used for white fillings. Unlike porcelain veneers, which are fabricated in a dental laboratory, composite veneers are usually sculpted directly onto the teeth during a single appointment. The material is carefully layered, shaped and polished to improve the color, shape, size and overall appearance of the smile.
One of the greatest advantages of composite veneers is their conservative nature. In many cases, little or no tooth reduction is required, allowing more of the natural tooth structure to be preserved. Because the material is bonded directly to the enamel, composite veneers are also easier to repair or modify if they become chipped or damaged. Composite veneers generally cost less than half as porcelain veneers and can often be completed in a single visit, making them an attractive option for patients seeking cosmetic improvement without the time or expense associated with laboratory-fabricated restorations.
Although modern composite resins have improved significantly, they do not possess the same long-term color stability, surface smoothness, or wear resistance as porcelain. Over time, composite veneers are more likely to stain from coffee, tea, red wine and tobacco, and they gradually lose their polish. They are also generally less resistant to chipping and wear than ceramic veneers, particularly in patients with heavy biting forces or teeth grinding.
Ultimately, the success and beauty of composite veneers depend heavily on the clinician’s artistic skill and attention to detail. Meticulously sculpting each layer, precisely shaping the contours, and carefully refining the final polish require both technical expertise and a refined aesthetic eye. It is this level of craftsmanship that allows composite veneers to blend seamlessly with the natural dentition and achieve a truly harmonious, lifelike smile.
What Problems Can Veneers Correct?
Veneers are primarily a cosmetic treatment and may be used to improve several cosmetic concerns.
Discolored Teeth
Some types of tooth discoloration do not respond completely to professional teeth whitening. This may include staining caused by certain medications, trauma, aging, developmental enamel defects, or previous dental treatment. Porcelain veneers can cover the visible surfaces of these teeth and create a more uniform, natural-looking smile. However, in cases of severe discoloration, a dental crown may provide better masking and conceal the underlying color.
Chipped or Worn Teeth
Teeth can become chipped or shortened because of grinding, clenching, trauma, an uneven bite, or normal wear over time. Veneers may restore the original shape and length of selected teeth while improving the overall balance of the smile. Any underlying grinding or bite problem should also be addressed to reduce the risk of future damage.
Gaps Between Teeth
Small spaces between the front teeth can sometimes be closed with porcelain veneers. The veneers are designed slightly wider so the spaces are reduced while maintaining natural tooth proportions. Larger spaces or significant alignment problems may be better treated with orthodontic treatment, such as clear aligners or braces.
Uneven or Misshapen Teeth
Some teeth may naturally appear smaller, narrower, shorter, pointed, or uneven compared with the surrounding teeth. Veneers can improve the shape and proportion of these teeth so they blend more naturally with the rest of the smile.
Mildly Crooked Teeth
Veneers can sometimes improve the appearance of teeth that are slightly rotated, uneven, or misaligned. This approach is sometimes referred to as cosmetic alignment because the teeth appear straighter without physically moving them. However, veneers are not a substitute for orthodontic treatment when crowding, bite problems, or significant tooth movement is present. We will evaluate whether veneers, orthodontics, or a combination of treatments would provide the healthiest and most predictable result.
Do Veneers Require Tooth Reduction?
Most porcelain veneers require the removal of a very thin layer of enamel. This provides the strongest and most predictable bond, as porcelain bonds far more reliably to enamel than to dentin. Maintaining this enamel bond is one of the most important factors contributing to the long-term success and longevity of porcelain veneers.
The amount of tooth reduction depends on the position, shape, color, and alignment of the teeth, as well as the desired final result. Some teeth require only minimal preparation, while others may require more modification. The goal is always to remove the smallest amount of tooth structure necessary to achieve a natural, durable, and esthetic outcome.
For this reason, preserving enamel during tooth preparation is essential whenever possible. Excessive tooth reduction can expose the underlying dentin, resulting in a weaker adhesive bond and potentially compromising the long-term success of the restoration.
In cases where significant tooth reduction is required because of extensive decay, large existing restorations, severe discoloration, or major changes in tooth position, a full-coverage crown may be a more appropriate treatment option.
Porcelain Veneers vs. Dental Crowns
A veneer primarily covers the front surface and, in some cases, a small portion of the back of a tooth. A crown surrounds most or all of the visible tooth structure. Veneers are generally used when the tooth is relatively healthy and the primary concern is cosmetic. Crowns may be more appropriate when a tooth has extensive decay, a large filling, a major fracture, significant wear, or insufficient remaining enamel. Preserving healthy tooth structure is always an important part of treatment planning, regardless of which treatment is chosen.
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How Many Veneers Will I Need?
The number of veneers depends on how many teeth are visible when you smile, the location of the cosmetic concerns, the symmetry of your smile, and the condition of the surrounding teeth. Some patients may need only one or two veneers to restore isolated teeth, while others may benefit from veneers across several front teeth to create a more uniform and balanced appearance.
Treating too few teeth can sometimes result in noticeable differences in color, shape, or proportion, which is why the entire smile should be evaluated during treatment planning. As a general rule, it is preferable to determine the appropriate number of veneers from the beginning rather than adding additional veneers at a later time. Although porcelain is highly color-stable, precisely matching newly fabricated veneers to restorations that have been in the mouth for years can be challenging or impossible.
Will My Veneers Look Natural?
Well-designed porcelain veneers should closely resemble natural teeth. Their shape, surface texture, translucency, color, and other subtle characteristics are carefully customized for each patient. A natural-looking result often includes slight variations in brightness, contour, translucency, and surface characterization rather than making every tooth appear perfectly identical. The final shade must also be selected carefully because porcelain veneers cannot be whitened after they are bonded. For this reason, any desired teeth whitening is typically completed before the final veneer shade is selected.
Ultimately, achieving truly natural-looking veneers depends heavily on the skill and experience of both the cosmetic dentist and the dental ceramist. While the dentist is responsible for treatment planning, tooth preparation, and communicating the desired esthetic outcome, the ceramist creates the veneers themselves. For highly esthetic cases, working with a master dental ceramist can make a significant difference in reproducing the subtle optical properties and individual characteristics of natural teeth. No computer-guided veneer milling can fully replicate the artistry, attention to detail and craftsmanship of a highly skilled human ceramist.
Back To TopThe Porcelain Veneer Process
1. Consultation and Smile Evaluation
Your first visit includes a detailed evaluation of your teeth, gums, bite, smile line, facial features and cosmetic concerns. Photographs and dental X-rays may be taken when appropriate, and impressions will be taken to create study models. We will discuss your goals and determine whether porcelain veneers are the most appropriate treatment for achieving the desired result. Depending on your individual needs, other treatment options such as teeth whitening, composite bonding, orthodontics, gum contouring or dental crowns may also be discussed. In some cases, combining these treatments with veneers can provide a more balanced, natural-looking, and predictable result.
2. Treatment Planning
Veneer treatment requires careful planning before any teeth are prepared. The number, size, shape, position and color of the veneers must be carefully coordinated to create a balanced, natural-looking smile. In most cases, a diagnostic wax-up is used to preview the proposed tooth shapes, evaluate the overall design and help guide treatment.
This planning stage is crucial and should be completed before any irreversible treatment is performed. Careful planning allows potential esthetic and functional concerns to be identified in advance and helps ensure that the final veneers complement the patient’s teeth, smile and facial features.
3. Tooth Preparation
Local anesthesia will be used to keep you comfortable during the procedure. A small amount of enamel is carefully removed from the selected teeth to create adequate space for the porcelain while preserving as much healthy natural tooth structure as possible. Although veneer preparation typically involves significantly less tooth reduction than a dental crown, the procedure may take just as long, if not longer. Veneer preparation requires exceptional precision and careful attention to detail to preserve enamel, create proper margins, maintain ideal tooth proportions, and provide adequate space for the ceramist to achieve a natural and highly esthetic result, all of which takes time.
4. Impressions or Digital Scans
After the teeth are prepared, a detailed impression or digital scan is taken and sent to the dental laboratory. The laboratory uses this information to fabricate each veneer specifically for your teeth and smile.
5. Temporary Veneers
Temporary veneers are placed while the final restorations are being made. These temporaries protect the prepared teeth and provide a preview of the approximate shape and length of the planned veneers. Temporary veneers are not as strong or stain-resistant as the final porcelain restorations, so great care should be taken while eating and cleaning.
6. Final Veneer Placement
At the final appointment, the porcelain veneers are placed on the teeth temporarily so their color, shape, fit and appearance can be evaluated. Local anesthesia may be used to keep you comfortable. Once the result is approved, the teeth are carefully cleaned and prepared for bonding. The veneers are then bonded using dental adhesive and a light-activated cement. The bite is checked and adjusted as needed before the veneers are polished.
How Long Do Veneers Last?
Porcelain veneers can last many years when they are properly designed, bonded, and maintained. Their longevity depends on several factors, including the patient’s bite, oral hygiene, diet, grinding or clenching habits, and the amount of healthy natural tooth structure supporting the veneers. Patients who clench or grind their teeth may be advised to wear a custom nightguard to help protect both the veneers and natural teeth. While no dental restoration lasts forever, our goal is for porcelain veneers to provide at least 10 years of service and hopefully much longer with proper care and maintenance.
Composite veneers generally do not last as long as porcelain veneers. With proper care, they may provide approximately 5 years of service, although some can last considerably longer. Their longevity depends on the patient’s bite, oral hygiene, diet, grinding or clenching habits and how well the restorations are maintained. Unlike porcelain, composite resin is more susceptible to wear, chipping, staining, and loss of surface polish over time. One advantage, however, is that composite veneers can often be repaired, reshaped or polished without replacing the entire restoration. Patients who clench or grind their teeth may also be advised to wear a custom nightguard to help protect both the veneers and natural teeth. Our goal is to maximize the lifespan of composite veneers, but patients should expect them to require more maintenance and potentially earlier replacement than porcelain veneers.
Caring for Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers should be cared for much like natural teeth. Brush twice daily with a soft toothbrush and nonabrasive toothpaste, floss carefully every day, and attend regular dental examinations and professional cleanings. Avoid chewing ice, biting directly into extremely hard foods, or using your teeth to open or hold objects, as these habits can chip or damage the porcelain. Although porcelain veneers are highly resistant to staining, maintaining excellent oral hygiene is essential for protecting the natural tooth structure and gums surrounding them. Ultimately, your home care plays a major role in the longevity of your veneers.
How do I know if I am a good candidate for veneers?
You may be a good candidate if your teeth and gums are healthy, you have adequate enamel for bonding, your cosmetic concerns are appropriate for veneers and you understand that the treatment is usually irreversible. Patients with active tooth decay, untreated gum disease, severe grinding, very little remaining enamel, major bite problems or significantly weakened teeth may require different restorative option.
Can veneers fix severely crooked teeth?
Veneers may improve the appearance of mild misalignment, but severely crowded or rotated teeth are often better treated with orthodontics before cosmetic restorations are considered.
Can I whiten my veneers?
No. Porcelain veneers do not respond to whitening products. Any desired teeth whitening should usually be completed before the final veneer shade is selected.
Can I eat normally with veneers?
Yes. Once the veneers are fully bonded, most patients can eat normally. You should still avoid biting directly into extremely hard objects or using your teeth as tools.
Can I just have one veneer?
Yes. A single veneer can be used to improve the appearance of one discolored, chipped, worn, or misshapen tooth. However, matching a single porcelain veneer precisely to the surrounding natural teeth can be challenging, particularly in the front of the smile. Depending on the situation, treating a pair of teeth may sometimes provide a more predictable shade match and a more symmetrical, natural-looking result.
What happens if a veneer comes off?
Veneers are securely bonded to the teeth, but they can occasionally become loose due to trauma, excessive biting forces, inadequate enamel for bonding, decay, or failure of the bonding material. Fortunately, if the veneer and underlying tooth remain in good condition, the veneer can often be rebonded without needing to be replaced.
Are veneers covered by dental insurance?
Veneers are generally considered a cosmetic treatment and are typically not covered by dental insurance. Coverage may vary when a tooth requires restoration because of trauma or significant structural damage. However, in these situations, insurance plans are more likely to provide benefits for a dental crown rather than a porcelain veneer. Our office can help review your insurance benefits and determine whether any coverage may be available.
Can I get cavities under veneers?
Absolutely. The porcelain itself cannot develop decay, but the natural tooth underneath and around the veneer can still develop a cavity. Decay most commonly begins near the margins where the veneer meets the tooth. Daily brushing, flossing, fluoride exposure, and regular dental examinations remain essential.
Can veneers cause gum problems?
Properly designed veneers should have smooth, well-fitting margins that allow the gums to remain healthy. Plaque buildup, poor oral hygiene, bulky restorations, or poorly positioned margins can contribute to gum inflammation. Existing gum disease should be treated before veneer placement. In some cases, gum contouring or periodontal treatment may be recommended to improve the health and symmetry of the gumline.
Can Veneers Chip or Break?
Porcelain veneers are strong, but they are not indestructible. They may chip or fracture when exposed to excessive force. Avoid biting directly into very hard foods and do not use your teeth to open packages, cut materials, bite fingernails, or hold objects. Patients who grind or clench their teeth should wear a nightguard if recommended.
Will veneers stain?
Porcelain is highly resistant to staining from coffee, tea, wine and many foods. However, the natural teeth surrounding the veneers can still become stained over time. The bonding material at the margins may also discolor if oral hygiene is poor or if the edges are exposed because of gum recession. Regular professional cleanings and good home care help maintain the appearance of both the veneers and the surrounding teeth.
Schedule a Veneer Consultation
Porcelain veneers can provide a significant cosmetic improvement for properly selected patients. A comprehensive consultation is the best way to determine whether veneers are appropriate for your teeth and your goals. Contact Lakeview Dental to schedule a cosmetic evaluation and learn more about your treatment options.
Back To TopWhat Sets Us Apart?
Any dental procedure requires precision, but porcelain veneers are especially technique-sensitive. Every step can influence the final appearance, fit, strength and longevity of the restorations. Dr. Ghodsi pays meticulous attention to detail throughout every stage of treatment. We do not take shortcuts. Your case is carefully studied and planned before we ever begin preparing a tooth.
Another important advantage is our in-house master ceramist. Truly skilled master ceramists are relatively rare. Creating highly esthetic porcelain veneers requires far more than technical knowledge. It demands years of experience, exceptional attention to detail and an artistic understanding of color, translucency, surface texture, light reflection and natural tooth anatomy.
Having an in-house porcelain laboratory allows the dentist and ceramist to work closely together throughout your treatment. Even more importantly, it gives you direct access to the person who will actually create your veneers. This provides several significant advantages:
Direct communication with your ceramist: You can meet personally with the technician creating your veneers and communicate exactly what you like and what you do not like, rather than having your preferences relayed indirectly through photographs, written instructions or phone conversations.
Personalized shade selection: Instead of relying solely on photographs or a dentist communicating the shade to an outside laboratory, our ceramist can evaluate your teeth in person. Subtle characteristics such as translucency, brightness, surface texture, color gradients, and neighboring tooth shades can be evaluated directly.
Dentist and ceramist collaboration: Dr. Ghodsi and the ceramist can evaluate the case together, allowing preparation design, material selection, tooth proportions, shade, and other esthetic details to be coordinated from the beginning.
Ceramist present at final delivery: The ceramist can be available when your veneers are tried in and evaluated. If a minor adjustment or characterization is needed and can be performed at that time, it may be addressed while you relax in the dental chair rather than automatically sending the case back to an outside laboratory.
Very few dental practices have their own in-house porcelain laboratory, and fewer still have the benefit of working directly with a highly skilled master ceramist. For cosmetic dentistry where extremely small differences in shape, shade, translucency, texture and proportion can dramatically influence the final result, direct collaboration between the patient, dentist, and ceramist can be an invaluable advantage.
Additional Resource
Learn more about dental veneers from the American Dental Association:
ADA MouthHealthy – Dental Veneers
Why Choose Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Shayan Ghodsi?
Dr. Shayan Ghodsi offers his patients expert, up-to-date knowledge and years of experience in the dental field, paying close attention to every detail of your individualized dental treatment. As the owner of Lakeview Dental, Dr. Ghodsi is proud to lead a privately owned practice where patient care always comes first, without the influence of corporate dentistry. His warm smile and gentle nature help make every dental visit a relaxing and comfortable experience.
Dr. Ghodsi received his Bachelor’s degree from Pace University in New York and earned his DMD at TUFTS University in Boston, Massachusetts in 2001. In addition, he has earned many continuing education credits in his fields of interest.
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Dr. Shayan Ghodsi DMD
Royal Palm Beach Cosmetic Dentist
“Felt very comfortable, everyone was very pleasant and professional. The dentist was very approachable and honest. Did not push unnecessary procedures. I’m very grateful for his kindness and professionalism. I highly recommend him and his staff. Thank you so much.”
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