What can veneers fix?
- Stains that do not lift with whitening
- Chipped or worn edges
- Small gaps between teeth
- Teeth that look short, uneven or slightly out of line
Dental veneers before and after: what changes?
A veneer changes the colour, shape and length of the tooth it covers. It does not move teeth or fix a bite problem. It can change how your teeth meet, so the dentist checks and adjusts your bite. So a photo of someone else's smile cannot show you what yours will look like.
How are porcelain veneers placed?
Porcelain veneers are made in a dental lab to fit your prepared teeth, so the work takes more than one appointment. The American Dental Association (ADA) describes these steps:
- The dentist checks your teeth and gums and treats any decay or gum disease first. You choose a shade to match your natural teeth.
- The dentist numbs the tooth and removes a thin layer of enamel from the front and sides.
- The dentist takes an impression or a digital scan and a dental lab makes the veneer. Ask the team whether a temporary veneer suits you while you wait.
- The dentist checks the fit and colour, bonds the veneer to the tooth and checks your bite.
For composite veneers, the dentist builds tooth-coloured resin directly on the tooth and hardens it with a light. The ADA notes that composite veneers need less enamel removed and fewer appointments.
Can porcelain veneers be undone?
No. The enamel removed for a porcelain veneer does not grow back. That tooth will always need a veneer or another covering.
How long do dental veneers last?
Porcelain veneers last 10 to 15 years on average with good care, according to Cleveland Clinic. That is an average and not a promise. Veneers can chip, crack, wear down or come loose. The dentist then re-bonds, repairs or replaces them.
A 2016 review of 13 clinical studies found about 89 in 100 porcelain and glass-ceramic veneers still in place after a median of 9 years. Chipping or fracture was the most common problem.
Composite veneers stain and wear more than porcelain. We give no set number of years for either type. Your bite, your habits and your home care change the answer.
How much do porcelain veneers cost in Vaughan?
Published prices at other Toronto-area clinics run about $1,100 to $1,900 for one porcelain veneer. Your own cost comes in a written estimate after an exam.
Your total depends on:
- How many teeth you want covered
- Porcelain or composite, since porcelain costs more per tooth
- Treatment needed first, such as fillings or gum care
- Whether you whiten your other teeth first
Whitening does not change a veneer's colour, so whiten first if you want lighter teeth overall.
Does insurance or the CDCP pay for veneers?
Most private dental plans treat veneers as cosmetic and do not pay for them. The ADA notes that a plan may cover a veneer only when it is judged medically necessary.
My City Dental offers direct insurance billing. Ask the team about a predetermination before treatment. The reply is an estimate and not a promise of what the plan will pay.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan does not cover veneers. The CDCP Dental Benefits Guide lists composite and ceramic veneers and cosmetic treatment as exclusions. My City Dental accepts the CDCP for other services. Coverage depends on the service and your eligibility, and some services need preauthorization.
Veneers vs bonding vs crowns: how do they compare?
Veneers, bonding and crowns all change how a tooth looks. Each one suits a different problem.
| Porcelain veneer | Composite veneer | Bonding | Crown | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it covers | The front of the tooth | The front of the tooth | A chip, gap or small area | The whole tooth |
| Enamel removed | A thin layer, for good | Less than porcelain | Little or none | More, all the way around |
| Can it be undone? | No | Not once enamel is removed | Yes | No |
| How it is made | In a dental lab | Built on the tooth | Built on the tooth in one visit | Made to fit the prepared tooth |
| Staining | Resists stains | Stains and wears more than porcelain | Stains more than porcelain | Depends on the material |
| Lifespan in sources | 10 to 15 years on average | No set figure | 3 to 10 years before touch-ups | 5 to 15 years |
| Wrong choice when | You grind your teeth or want to keep all your enamel | You want the most stain resistance | The chip is large or the tooth is weak | The tooth is sound and only its look bothers you |
Sources: Cleveland Clinic for bonding, crowns and porcelain lifespans, the ADA for composite veneers.
Dental bonding uses the same tooth-coloured resin as composite veneers on a smaller area. Cleveland Clinic calls it one of the least expensive cosmetic procedures. A crown fits a tooth that is broken, heavily filled or weak, because it covers and protects the whole tooth.
If colour is your only concern, teeth whitening lightens natural teeth. It does not lift every stain or change the colour of veneers, crowns or bonding.
How do you care for veneers?
Care for veneers like natural teeth, with a few extra habits:
- Brush twice a day with a soft brush and a fluoride toothpaste that is not abrasive
- Clean between your teeth every day
- Do not bite nails, ice, pens or hard foods with your front teeth
- Wear a sports mouthguard for contact sports
- Keep your regular dental check-ups
You can still get a cavity under or around a veneer. If you grind your teeth at night, ask the team whether a night guard suits you. A night guard helps protect veneers from grinding. It does not stop the habit.
What if a veneer chips or comes off?
Call the clinic if a veneer chips, cracks or comes loose. Keep any loose piece in a clean container and do not glue it back yourself. Avoid biting with that tooth until the dentist sees it.
If the veneer broke in a fall or a blow to the face, see our emergency dentist page. Call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling that spreads toward your eye or neck, fever with facial swelling, or bleeding that will not stop. Call 911 too after a blow to the head with fainting, a seizure, repeated vomiting or a headache that gets worse.
Who is a good candidate for dental veneers?
A good candidate has healthy teeth and gums and wants to change how the front teeth look. Veneers do not suit you, or must wait, if:
- You have decay or gum disease that needs treatment first
- You clench or grind your teeth
- You have a deep overbite
- You are not ready to lose enamel for good
The dentist checks your teeth, gums and bite at the consultation and explains other options if veneers do not suit you.
Frequently asked questions about veneers
Are veneers painful to get?
Getting porcelain veneers should not hurt during the procedure, because the dentist numbs the tooth before removing enamel. Your teeth may feel sore or more sensitive to heat and cold afterwards. Tell the dentist straight away if anything hurts during the visit. Call the clinic if soreness or sensitivity does not settle in the days that follow or gets worse.
How much is a full set of veneers in Ontario?
A full set of veneers costs the per-tooth fee times the number of teeth, plus any treatment your teeth need first. Some people cover every tooth that shows when they smile and others need one or two. Ask for a written estimate that lists each tooth and its material.
What's a cheaper option than veneers?
Bonding and whitening are the cheaper options to ask about. Bonding fixes a chip or small gap with resin and needs little or no enamel removed. Whitening suits healthy teeth that are only discoloured. Neither lasts as long as porcelain, and the dentist tells you which one fits your teeth.
Ready to talk about veneers in Vaughan?
Book a veneers consultation at My City Dental, 9222 Keele St #5, Vaughan. The dentist looks at your teeth and explains porcelain and composite options. Your cost comes in a written estimate after the exam.