TL;DR
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of dental porcelain, made for each tooth and bonded to its front surface. At Stone Falls Dental Care, Dr. Carleigh Prane uses them to correct chips, worn or uneven edges, small gaps and stains that whitening can’t lift. Most cases take two visits a few weeks apart, and a thin layer of enamel is removed, so the decision is permanent. With good care veneers often last a decade or longer. The practice has run an offer of $500 off six or more front porcelain veneers or crowns.
What are porcelain veneers?
A veneer is a shell of porcelain about as thin as a fingernail, shaped to fit over the visible front of a tooth. Once bonded, it becomes part of the tooth’s outer surface, and it can change color, shape, length and the way light passes through it.
Porcelain is a good material for the job. It reflects light much like enamel, it resists stains from coffee and tea far better than natural teeth, and it holds its polish for years. Each veneer is custom-made to the shade and shape planned for your smile.
Who is a good candidate for veneers?
Veneers suit adults with healthy teeth and gums who want to change how their front teeth look. They’re a strong option for chips, edges worn short or uneven, small gaps, teeth that look too small, and discoloration that whitening can’t reach, such as some medication stains and old fluorosis marks.
They aren’t the first answer for everyone. Active decay and gum disease have to be treated first. Teeth that are significantly crooked may be better straightened, and a tooth that’s heavily filled or broken usually needs a crown instead. Heavy grinding puts extra stress on porcelain, so Dr. Prane will look closely at how your teeth meet before recommending veneers.
What happens when you get porcelain veneers?
Most cases take two visits a few weeks apart, after a planning consultation. At the consultation, Dr. Prane looks at your teeth, gums and bite, talks through what you’d like to change and takes photos and records. If you want your other teeth lighter, whitening comes first, since porcelain is matched to the shade beside it and won’t change color later.
At the first treatment visit, a thin layer of enamel is reshaped so the veneers sit naturally without looking bulky, and impressions or scans go to the lab. That step can’t be undone, which is why the planning matters. You’ll wear temporaries in the meantime. At the second visit, each veneer is checked for fit and shade, bonded in place, hardened with a curing light and adjusted to your bite.
Dr. Prane completed the Dawson Academy’s core curriculum and hands-on series, coursework centered on how the teeth, jaw joints and chewing muscles work together. That training shapes how she plans the length and edges of front teeth.
How long do porcelain veneers last?
With good care, porcelain veneers often last a decade or longer, though none last forever. Brush and floss them like natural teeth, keep your checkups, and avoid biting ice, pens or fingernails. If you clench or grind at night, a protective guard can help. A veneer that chips or loosens can often be repaired or replaced on its own.
The tooth underneath still matters. Decay can start where a veneer meets the natural tooth, and gums that recede over the years can expose that edge, so regular cleanings and exams protect the investment. Porcelain keeps its color well, but the natural teeth around it can darken with time, and an occasional whitening touch-up on those teeth keeps the shades close.
Should you choose veneers or crowns?
Veneers cover the front of a sound tooth, while a crown covers the whole tooth and is the better choice when a tooth is weakened by large fillings, cracks or decay. Many smile plans use both. The front-teeth makeovers in our smile gallery, one with eight upper crowns and one with six, were done in all-porcelain crowns, and our page on smile makeovers explains how the two are combined.
The practice has offered $500 off six or more front porcelain veneers or crowns for new and existing patients without decay or gum disease. Ask the front desk which offers are current, and see our financing options, including CareCredit.