Many of us look in the mirror and see some aspect of our smile we’d like to change — a chip here, discoloration there, that one tooth that’s slightly smaller than the rest. Porcelain veneers offer a solution to various cosmetic dental concerns, covering them up and presenting a perfectly straight, bright, dazzling smile.
But are they the best choice for you? We’re here to help you decide! Here’s everything you need to know about porcelain veneers.
Table of Contents
What Are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are customized wafer-thin shells that a dentist affixes to individual teeth. Although they can help reinforce weak teeth or stand in for eroded enamel, they’re a cosmetic treatment, not a restorative one.
Like all veneers, porcelain ones can hide many imperfections, including:
- Stains
- Cracks
- Chips
- Gaps
- Irregular shapes
- Misalignments
- Worn teeth
- Small teeth
Porcelain is a type of ceramic, but don’t confuse porcelain veneers with ceramic ones; while all porcelain is ceramic, not all ceramic is porcelain. The exact composition of your porcelain veneers can vary depending on the laboratory your dentist uses. Dental porcelain is typically some combination of natural feldspar, kaolin, and quartz.
Porcelain veneers are highly durable, often lasting 15–20 years, and they typically cost $925–$2,500 per tooth. Your exact price depends on the type of porcelain, the lab’s fees, and your dentist’s rates.
Porcelain Veneers Benefits
- Porcelain veneers can last up to 20 years (and sometimes even longer). This lifespan is key, since the veneers are pretty pricey, especially if you need to cover multiple teeth.
- If you want to mimic your natural teeth, porcelain veneers are the way to go, since they have the same texture and reflectiveness as real enamel.
- Porcelain is naturally stain-resistant — think about how long it takes for coffee cups to discolor (and they come into more direct and prolonged contact with pigments). This means you’ll keep your bright smile long-term.
- Because of their thickness, porcelain veneers hide deep, dark stains better than composite ones.
Porcelain Veneers Drawbacks
- Your dentist must shave about 0.5 millimeters off your enamel to place the veneers, allowing them to sit flush with your other teeth. So once you get them, you need to wear veneers for the rest of your life.
- Porcelain veneers require multiple trips to the dentist. In most cases, it takes about 2–3 weeks to get your final veneers placed after your tooth prep visit. During that time, you have to wear delicate temporary veneers.
- If you want to cover the “social six,” or your front six teeth on the top arch, it could cost you as much as $15,000.
What Is It Like To Get Porcelain Veneers?
The first step in getting porcelain veneers is choosing a dentist. Most general dentists offer them, but when it comes to cosmetic work — especially with a price tag like porcelain veneers — you’ll likely get the best results from working with a cosmetic dentist.
Most porcelain veneers require two office visits. At the first one, your dentist will examine your teeth to ensure you’re a suitable candidate for porcelain veneers. If you are, your dentist will discuss your smile goals and make a plan for your veneers. Then they will remove about 0.5 millimeters of enamel from the teeth being treated, take impressions for the dental lab, and place temporary veneers to protect your teeth until your permanent ones arrive.
Once they do, you’ll schedule your second appointment to get them placed — usually 2–3 weeks after the initial appointment. Before you leave, your dentist will explain how to care for your veneers, including which foods you should avoid sinking them into.
Porcelain Veneers vs. Composite Veneers
When you have your initial appointment with your dentist, they’ll likely offer two veneer options: porcelain and composite. Both options have pros and cons, so it’s important to understand how they differ before you choose one.
Turnaround Time
Your dentist can make composite veneers right there in the office, so you’ll leave your first appointment with your new smile. Porcelain veneers have to be made in a lab. Even when your dentist opts for laboratory composite veneers, they’re usually ready sooner than porcelain ones, since they’re simpler to manufacture. Laboratory composite veneers often take 1–2 weeks, while porcelain ones take 2–3.
Tooth Prep
Porcelain veneers always require enamel removal — usually about 0.5 millimeters worth. Composite veneers don’t need as much prep. Some don’t require any enamel removal, and others only require the dentist to take off about 0.25 millimeters. The more enamel you keep, the stronger your tooth is.
Durability
Porcelain veneers are significantly stronger than composite ones. While composite veneers only last 7–10 years on average, porcelain ones last 15–20. However, if a porcelain veneer chips, you have to replace the entire thing. With composite, your dentist can offer “patch” fixes until your full veneer needs to be replaced.
Appearance
Both types of veneers look great and it’s doubtful anyone who isn’t a dental expert will realize you have them. Still, porcelain offers a more natural look. The outermost layer of a porcelain veneer is slightly translucent, like enamel, and reflects light in the same way. It also has a slight texture that mimics the enamel’s pores. Porcelain’s thickness better hides dark discoloration of the natural tooth and the material is highly stain-resistant.
Cost
Porcelain is significantly more expensive, both because of the material and the higher level of expertise it requires. Porcelain veneers have a standard price range of $925–$2,500 per tooth. Composite is much more affordable at $250–$1,500 per tooth.
Alternative Treatment Options
Now you know the basics of porcelain veneers and how they compare to their composite counterparts — but what about all the other treatments out there? No matter which cosmetic issues you want veneers to hide, there are alternatives to consider. Below are a few we recommend.
- Snap-On Veneers: Just like porcelain and composite veneers, these hide various flaws behind the facade of perfect teeth. Unlike traditional veneers, they cover most or all teeth in an arch — and often for less than you’d pay for a single porcelain veneer. Just keep in mind they are removable, not fixed to the teeth. Learn more in our comparison review of the best snap-on veneer brands.
- Clear Aligners: If you are considering veneers to close a gap or hide a misalignment, why not shift your teeth instead? Clear aligners like Invisalign can correct even complex cases. If your gap is small or your misalignments simple, you can save time and money by choosing at-home aligners over in-office ones. Read our review of the best clear aligners to compare your options.
- Teeth Whitening: If you want veneers to cover discoloration, at-home and professional whitening could be a perfect alternative. Even tetracycline stains are now treatable with KöR’s professional system. Read our guide to the best dental whitening methods to learn more.
Final Thoughts
Porcelain veneers are the gold standard for enhancing smiles one tooth at a time. However, they won’t always be the ideal choice.
While porcelain veneers offer superior strength and looks, they also come with a hefty price tag and a lifelong commitment. Before you commit to porcelain veneers, be sure to weigh all your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is porcelain made of?
Dental porcelain is a type of ceramic made from some combination of natural feldspar, kaolin, and quartz. The exact formula varies by laboratory. Keep in mind that ceramic and porcelain veneers are different, since all porcelain is ceramic, but not all ceramic is porcelain.
Do porcelain veneers require more prep than composite ones?
Yes. Some composite veneers require no enamel removal, while others need 0.25 millimeters shaved off. With porcelain, the dentist will remove around 0.5 millimeters of enamel.
Are same-day veneers available in porcelain?
While we don’t doubt there are a few cosmetic dentists out there with labs on-site, same-day porcelain veneers are essentially unheard of. If you choose to get porcelain veneers, expect to wait 2–3 weeks between prep and final placement.
How long should I expect my porcelain veneers to last?
It varies based on how well they were made and how you care for them. In most cases, they last 15–20 years, sometimes longer, before they need to be replaced.
Are porcelain veneers cosmetic or restorative dentistry?
Porcelain veneers can help make weakened teeth stronger. Even so, they’re considered cosmetic treatments rather than restorative ones. Don’t expect help from your insurance provider.
What happens if I don’t like my porcelain veneers?
Considering your dentist has to shave down your enamel to place them, if you change your mind, you’re pretty much stuck. Any alternatives would look similar, require more upkeep and have shorter lifespans. You can’t just go with the natural tooth anymore since the enamel is partially gone.
How do I care for porcelain veneers?
You’ll treat them almost exactly like you do your natural teeth, brushing and flossing twice a day. The only difference is that you should be careful about the foods you bite into with your veneers.
Are there foods I should avoid with porcelain veneers?
You don’t have to avoid them, but you either need to bite them with other teeth or cut them up into small pieces. Any foods that are hard or tough can break or dislodge your veneers. You also should avoid biting into foods that are frozen solid (soft frozen foods like ice cream are fine).
Do porcelain veneers stain?
Porcelain veneers shouldn’t develop internal stains, but if you don’t brush and floss properly, external stains can develop. If this happens, your dentist can remove them during your twice-a-year cleaning.
Who is not a good candidate for porcelain veneers?
Anyone with active tooth decay or gum disease should get these issues treated first. Plus, veneers attach to tooth surfaces, so you need to have most of each tooth left. Also, if you are looking to cover an issue that actually needs restoration, you’ll have to go with an alternative, such as a crown.
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