Services
Veneers
A veneer is a thin custom shell bonded to the front of a tooth. It asks more of you than whitening or bonding does, in cost and in permanence, and that's precisely what lets it fix things neither of those can.
What veneers can fix that whitening and bonding can't
Whitening only changes shade. Bonding suits smaller, contained repairs. Veneers can address several problems on one tooth at once, such as a tooth that's chipped, worn down, slightly misshapen, and discolored all together, by rebuilding the visible face of the tooth instead of treating each issue separately.
Porcelain versus composite
Porcelain veneers are made in a lab from an impression or digital scan and are more stain-resistant and durable, generally lasting ten to fifteen years or more with good care. Composite veneers are built up directly on the tooth in a single visit, cost less upfront, and can be repaired more easily, but they don't hold up quite as long or resist staining quite as well as porcelain. Which one makes sense depends on the number of teeth involved, timeline, and budget.
What the process involves
Porcelain veneers typically take two visits. At the first, a thin layer of enamel is removed from the front of the tooth to make room for the veneer and an impression is taken, with a temporary veneer placed in the meantime. At the second, the permanent veneer is checked for fit, shade, and bite before being bonded in place. Because a small amount of enamel is removed, the process is considered permanent. It's a decision to think through properly, even though the outcome is generally stable long-term.
Living with veneers
Veneers are cared for like natural teeth: regular brushing, flossing, and checkups. One caveat is that porcelain resists staining well, but the edges where it meets natural tooth can still collect plaque like any other tooth surface, and grinding or using teeth to open packaging can chip a veneer the way it would a natural tooth.