- Home
- Treatments
- Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain Veneers
Thin porcelain shells for front teeth that are chipped, stained, gapped or uneven, custom-made to match the rest of your smile.
Overview
Porcelain Veneers for Chips, Stains and Gaps
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of dental porcelain bonded to the front of your teeth. Each one is custom-made, so it covers what you don’t like about a tooth while matching the shape and shade of the smile around it.
Veneers can change the color, shape and spacing of your front teeth in one course of treatment. They are also a long-term commitment, because a small amount of enamel is removed to fit them. Here’s who they suit, and what happens at each visit with Dr. Camille Adli in Long Beach.
Is It Right for You
When Porcelain Veneers Are a Good Fit
Veneers suit healthy front teeth that you’d like to look different.
Each veneer is custom-made to cover one of these:
Stains that don’t respond to teeth whitening
Chipped, cracked or worn front teeth
Teeth that are slightly uneven or out of line
Gaps or spaces between teeth
When Something Else May Suit You Better
- Very crooked teeth
- Orthodontics moves the teeth themselves, and may be the better first step.
- A broken or heavily filled tooth
- A crown covers and protects the whole tooth, not just the front.
- Stains on teeth you otherwise like
- Whitening alone may be enough, with no enamel removed.
- Decay or gum disease
- These are treated first, so your veneers sit on healthy teeth and gums.
Benefits
What Porcelain Veneers Do Well
Porcelain is a good material for front teeth, for a few practical reasons.
-
A Natural Look
Porcelain reflects light much like natural enamel, and each veneer is shaped and shaded to suit your smile and the teeth beside it.
-
Stain Resistance
Porcelain resists stains from coffee, tea and red wine, so your veneers keep their color well over time.
-
Durability
With good care and regular check-ups, porcelain veneers can last for many years.
-
Conservative Preparation
Only a thin layer of enamel is removed from the front of the tooth, much less than a crown needs.
The Process
How Porcelain Veneers Are Placed
Placing veneers usually takes two or more visits. We’ll give you a timeline at your consultation.
-
01Evaluate
Dr. Adli examines your teeth and gums and asks what you’d like to change.
You’ll talk through shape, length and shade. If whitening is part of the plan, it’s done first, so your veneers can match your brighter teeth.
-
02Prepare
A small amount of enamel is removed from the front of each tooth.
Your teeth are numbed first. This thin layer makes room for the porcelain, so your veneers sit flush rather than bulky.
-
03Impressions
We take impressions of your prepared teeth.
They go to our dental lab, where your veneers are made to fit your teeth.
-
04Bond
Your veneers are bonded to your teeth with a special dental adhesive.
Before they’re fixed in place, we check their fit and color with you.
-
05Check
We check the fit, your bite and the appearance.
Any small adjustments are made now, and you’ll leave knowing how to look after your new veneers.
Who Treats You
Dr. Camille Adli
DDS, General & Cosmetic Dentist
Your veneers are planned and placed by Dr. Camille Adli, who has practiced in Long Beach since 1997. She completed advanced training in aesthetic and cosmetic dentistry at UCLA’s Aesthetic Continuum, and is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
At your consultation she’ll tell you plainly whether veneers are the right choice, or whether bonding, whitening or Invisalign would serve you better.
Cost and Insurance
Paying for Veneers
Because veneers are usually chosen for appearance, most dental plans treat them as cosmetic and don’t cover them. If a veneer also repairs a chipped or broken tooth, part of the cost may be covered. We’ll check your benefits and go through the cost with you before you decide.
- Insurance
- Most PPO plans, including Delta Dental, MetLife, Cigna, Aetna, Guardian, Operating Engineers and ILWU
- Financing
- Monthly payments through CareCredit or Sunbit
Questions
Porcelain Veneer Questions
They’re custom-made and matched to the shape and shade of your smile, and porcelain reflects light much like natural enamel. We check their fit and color with you before they’re bonded in place.
Your teeth are numbed before any enamel is removed, so most people feel pressure rather than pain. Your teeth may feel a little sensitive for a short time afterward.
Because a thin layer of enamel is removed, the tooth will always need a covering. If a veneer is ever damaged or worn, it can be replaced with a new one.
With good care, many years. Brush and floss as usual, keep up regular check-ups, and avoid biting hard things like ice or pens. If you grind your teeth, tell us before treatment.
No. Porcelain doesn’t respond to whitening, although it resists stains well. If you want whiter teeth overall, whiten first and we’ll match your veneers to the new shade.
Usually not, since veneers are mostly chosen for appearance. If a veneer repairs a damaged tooth, your plan may pay part of it. We accept most PPO plans, and CareCredit and Sunbit offer monthly payments.