Cosmetic dentistry
Porcelain Veneers in Huntersville, NC
Thin porcelain shells that change the color, shape or size of your front teeth, with a clear plan before you start.
A porcelain veneer is a thin, custom-made shell bonded to the front of a tooth to change its color, shape or size. Veneers can cover stains that whitening does not lift, chips, worn edges, small gaps and teeth that are uneven. At Kreeb Family Dentistry in Huntersville, veneers are made by a dental lab and fitted in two main visits. A small amount of enamel is removed before the veneer is bonded, so the choice cannot be undone.
At a glance
- What it isA thin porcelain shell bonded to the front surface of a tooth
- Typical visitsAn exam with X-rays (impressions for some), then a fitting visit; the lab takes about 2 to 4 weeks
- ComfortLocal anesthetic can be used while the tooth is prepared; ask about comfort options
- Reversible?No. Enamel is removed to place a porcelain veneer
- How long they lastApproximately 5 to 10 years, and longer with good care
- What drives costNumber of veneers, any care needed first, a night guard if you grind
- InsuranceVeneers are considered cosmetic and may not be covered; call us for insurance details
Are porcelain veneers right for you?
Veneers may suit you if your front teeth are healthy but you are unhappy with how they look. They can help with:
Stains that whitening does not lift
including deep or gray stains.
Chipped or worn teeth
Teeth that are small, uneven or oddly shaped
Small gaps
between front teeth.
Veneers may not be the right choice if:
- You have decay or gum disease. ADA MouthHealthy says these must be treated first.
- You clench or grind your teeth, or have a deep overbite. ADA MouthHealthy says veneers may not be a good choice in these cases.
- A tooth has a large filling or a lot of decay. The American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) says it is not wise to cover extensive decay with a veneer. A crown may protect the tooth better.
- You want to keep all of your natural enamel. A porcelain veneer needs a thin layer removed.
What happens during porcelain veneer treatment?
Veneers take a few visits over about a month. Here are the steps at our office:
X-rays and impressions
Your dentist takes X-rays and talks through the color and shape you want. Some patients also have impressions taken.
Lab work
A model is sent to a dental lab, which makes your veneer. This takes approximately 2 to 4 weeks.
Fit and color test
When the veneer arrives, your dentist tests its fit and color and adjusts it until it fits comfortably and blends with your teeth.
Preparing the tooth
Before the veneer is bonded, a small amount of enamel is removed. This lets the veneer hold to the tooth and fit in line with the teeth around it.
Bonding
A light-sensitive resin goes between the veneer and the tooth, and a curing light hardens it.
ADA MouthHealthy says it may take a few days to get used to a new veneer.
Veneers vs bonding vs crowns vs Invisalign: how do they compare?
Each option changes how teeth look in a different way. The right one depends on the health of the tooth and what you want to change.
| Option | Porcelain veneers | Composite bonding (tooth-colored resin) | Crowns | Invisalign clear aligners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it does | Covers the front of the tooth | Resin is shaped onto the tooth and hardened with a light | Covers the whole visible tooth | Moves teeth into a new position |
| Suited to | Stains, chips, shape and small gaps on healthy front teeth | Small chips and minor changes | Weak, broken or heavily filled teeth, or teeth that are discolored or badly shaped | Crowding, gaps and some bite problems |
| Tooth removed | A thin layer of enamel | May need less enamel removed | The tooth is reshaped to fit the crown | None for the aligners themselves |
| Visits | A multi-step process; the lab takes about 2 to 4 weeks | One appointment | One visit for qualifying patients, with a same-day crown | Several over months |
| How long it lasts | Approximately 5 to 10 years | Not as long lasting as porcelain | At least 5 years, up to 15 to 20 years | Ask about retainers after treatment |
| Staining | More resistant to staining | Not as stain resistant | Ceramic or porcelain matches tooth color | Does not change tooth color |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
If your teeth are healthy and only the color bothers you, teeth whitening may be enough. If your teeth are crooked, Invisalign moves them without covering them. If a tooth is weak or heavily filled, a crown protects it. Your exam shows which options apply to your teeth.
Do veneers hurt?
Preparing a tooth for a veneer is done with local anesthetic when needed, so the area is numb. You may feel pressure or vibration. Tell your dentist if anything feels sharp. If you feel nervous, ask about comfort options when you book.
Afterward, your teeth and gums may feel a little different for a few days. The ACP notes that people who have eight or more veneers placed should expect some soreness of the gums and possibly the jaw. Call the office if pain does not ease, a veneer feels loose, or your bite feels off.
How long do porcelain veneers last?
The ACP says a veneer typically lasts approximately 5 to 10 years, and good care can help it last longer. A 2016 review of clinical studies of porcelain and glass-ceramic veneers found an estimated survival rate of 89 percent at a median follow-up of 9 years.
To care for your veneers:
Brush twice a day and floss daily
and keep your regular checkups and cleanings.
Wear a night guard, if you grind
The ACP says people who grind or clench are at risk of chipping or cracking veneers.
Do not bite hard objects
such as ice, pens or fingernails.
What are the risks of veneers, and the alternatives?
Veneers are a cosmetic choice with real trade-offs:
They cannot be undone
Enamel is removed to place them.
They can chip, crack, wear or come loose
ADA MouthHealthy says a veneer may need to be re-bonded, repaired or replaced over time. In the 2016 review, the estimated rate of fracture or chipping was 4 percent and of debonding 2 percent.
They will need replacing one day
so plan for future costs.
Color is set once placed
Whitening does not lighten veneers. The ACP says most people choose veneers in a whiter shade and then whiten their other teeth to match.
Your alternatives:
- Teeth whitening for stains on healthy teeth.
- A crown for a weak or broken tooth.
- Invisalign to straighten teeth without covering them.
- Doing nothing. Veneers are a cosmetic choice. Leaving your teeth as they are is fine for your health.
How much do veneers cost?
The cost of veneers depends on your plan, and your dentist explains it after the exam. What drives the cost:
How many veneers
you need. Some people need one; others choose several front teeth.
Care needed first
such as treating decay or gum disease, or whitening other teeth to match.
A night guard, if you grind
Future replacement
as veneers wear.
ADA MouthHealthy says veneers are considered cosmetic, so insurance may not cover them unless they are medically necessary. Call us for insurance details, and ask about payment options on our insurance and payment page.
Why patients choose Kreeb Family Dentistry for veneers
A plan for your whole smile
Our dentists look at your teeth, gums and bite before suggesting veneers, and can compare them with whitening, crowns and Invisalign in one office.
Several options under one roof
Same-day crowns are made in the office, and Dr. Bryan Kreeb is an Invisalign provider.
A try-in before bonding
Your dentist checks fit and color before the veneer is bonded.
Early hours
The office opens at 7:00 AM, Monday to Friday.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Still wondering about something? Call us and our team will help.
How long do porcelain veneers last?
The American College of Prosthodontists says a veneer typically lasts approximately 5 to 10 years, and longer with good care. A 2016 review found an estimated survival rate of 89 percent at a median follow-up of 9 years. Grinding raises the risk of chips.
Can veneers be removed or undone?
The change to your tooth cannot be undone, because a thin layer of enamel is removed. The veneer itself can wear and need replacing one day. So plan on keeping a veneer on those teeth from then on, with a new one when it wears out.
Can I get just one veneer?
Yes. A veneer can be placed on one tooth or on several front teeth. With a single veneer, the lab matches the color and shape to the teeth next to it.
What is the difference between veneers and bonding?
A porcelain veneer is a thin shell made by a lab and bonded to the tooth. Bonding uses tooth-colored resin shaped right on the tooth, in one appointment. The ACP says resin is not as long lasting and does not resist staining as well as porcelain.
Can veneers fix crooked teeth?
Veneers can make slightly uneven teeth look straighter, but they do not move teeth. If your teeth are crowded or your bite is off, clear aligners such as Invisalign move the teeth themselves. Your exam shows which approach suits you.
Does insurance cover veneers?
It may not. ADA MouthHealthy says veneers are considered cosmetic, so insurance may not cover them unless they are medically necessary. Call us with your plan details for insurance information.
Book your veneer consultation in Huntersville
Find out whether veneers or another option suits your teeth at a consultation with our dentists.