Cosmetic Dentistry · Everett, WA

Porcelain Veneers

Thin porcelain shells that change shape, color and alignment at once.

What veneers can and cannot do

A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain bonded to the front of a tooth. Because it covers the visible surface entirely, one restoration can correct color, shape, minor rotation and small gaps together — which is why veneers are often chosen when several concerns overlap.

They are well suited to teeth that are structurally sound but cosmetically compromised: intrinsic staining that will not respond to whitening, chips and worn edges, or teeth that are slightly small or uneven.

They are not a substitute for orthodontics on significantly crowded teeth, and they are not reversible — preparing a tooth for a veneer removes a thin layer of enamel permanently. We will tell you plainly if another approach would serve you better.

Veneers are the treatment most often oversold, so it is worth being clear about the trade-off. Preparing a tooth for a veneer removes a thin layer of enamel, and that is permanent — the tooth will need a veneer or a crown from then on. Where the teeth are sound and the concern is purely color, whitening first is the more conservative answer, and we will say so.

Where they are the right answer, the planning matters more than the porcelain. We work from photographs and a trial of the proposed shape before anything is prepared, so you can see the result and change it while changing it is still easy. Everett patients are welcome to take that trial home and live with it for a day before deciding.

What veneers are usually chosen for

  • Deep staining that whitening will not lift — tetracycline banding, or discolouration from an old root treatment.
  • Chipped, worn or uneven edges on the front teeth.
  • Small gaps between otherwise healthy, well-aligned teeth.
  • Teeth that are slightly rotated or out of line, where orthodontics is not wanted.

What to expect

Veneers typically take two visits, a couple of weeks apart.

  1. 1 Design We discuss shape, proportion and shade against your face and your other teeth, not from a catalogue.
  2. 2 Preparation and impressions A thin layer of enamel is removed, precise impressions are taken, and you leave in temporaries.
  3. 3 Bonding We try in the finished veneers, check them with you in natural light, and bond them permanently.

Looking after veneers

Brush and floss normally. Porcelain resists staining well, but the natural tooth and the bonding margin do not, so heavy coffee, tea and red wine still show over time. Avoid biting nails, pens or packaging, and wear a nightguard if you grind.

Common questions about porcelain veneers

How long do porcelain veneers last?
Commonly ten to fifteen years, and often longer with good care. What ends a veneer's life is usually the bond margin or the natural tooth beneath it rather than the porcelain itself, which is why daily cleaning between the teeth matters as much here as anywhere.
Is the procedure painful?
Preparation is done under local anesthetic and is comfortable. Some sensitivity to hot and cold between the preparation visit and fitting the final veneers is normal, and settles once they are bonded.
Will the veneers look false?
Not if they are planned properly. Natural teeth are not uniformly white and are not identical to each other, so we build in the small irregularities that make teeth read as real. The most common cause of an obvious result is a shade chosen brighter than the face around it.
Can I whiten veneers later?
No — porcelain does not change shade with whitening. That is why we whiten first, let the shade settle, and then match the veneers to it. Whitening afterwards will lighten your natural teeth and leave the veneers looking dark by comparison.
What is the difference between veneers and crowns?
A veneer covers the front surface of a tooth; a crown covers all of it. Veneers are the more conservative option for a tooth that is structurally sound. Where a tooth is heavily filled, cracked, or root treated, a crown is the safer choice.

Questions about porcelain veneers?

We'll walk you through the options, the costs, and what to expect.

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