Porcelain Veneer
Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made shells of dental-grade porcelain bonded to the front of your teeth. They are the most durable cosmetic option for fixing chipped, gapped, discoloured, or unevenly shaped front teeth. With proper care, porcelain veneers last 10 to 20 years and look indistinguishable from natural teeth. We design them digitally so you can preview your new smile before any irreversible work is done.
Veneers transform your smile while keeping your natural teeth.
Unlike a crown, a veneer only covers the front of the tooth. We remove a very thin layer of enamel (about 0.5 mm), take a digital scan, and bond the custom porcelain shell in place. Your natural tooth stays underneath.
When porcelain veneers might be right for you
- ✓Chipped, cracked, or worn-down front teeth
- ✓Permanent stains that have not responded to whitening
- ✓Small gaps between front teeth
- ✓Teeth that are smaller, narrower, or unevenly shaped
- ✓You want a dramatic change without orthodontic treatment
- ✓You want results that last decades, not just a few years
The porcelain veneer process
- Consultation and digital smile preview. We take photos and a digital scan, then design a preview of your new smile so you can see the result before any treatment begins. You can request changes to shape, length, and colour at this stage.
- Preparation. Under local anaesthetic, we remove a thin layer of enamel (about 0.5 mm) from the front of each tooth being treated. We take a final digital scan and send it to our lab.
- Temporary veneers. You leave with temporary veneers that protect the prepared teeth and let you preview the new shape for 2 weeks. Avoid sticky and hard foods during this time.
- Fitting and bonding. About 2 weeks later, we try in the permanent porcelain veneers, check the fit and colour, make any adjustments, and bond them in place with a strong dental cement.
- Follow-up. We see you a week later to confirm the bite feels right and answer any questions. The veneers feel natural within a few days.
How long do porcelain veneers last?
10 to 20 years typical
With proper care (brushing, flossing, regular checkups, no grinding), most porcelain veneers last 10 to 20 years before needing replacement.
Resists staining
Porcelain is non-porous, so it does not pick up coffee, tea, wine, or tobacco stains the way natural enamel does. Your veneers stay the colour you chose.
Care like natural teeth
Brush twice a day, floss daily, see us for cleanings every 6 months. If you grind at night, wear a night guard to protect the veneers from cracking.
Porcelain veneers vs other cosmetic options
Porcelain vs composite veneers: Porcelain lasts twice as long (10 to 20 years vs 5 to 8) and resists staining better. Composite is less expensive and reversible. We can help you decide which is right.
Porcelain veneers vs crowns: A veneer covers only the front of the tooth. A crown covers the entire tooth. Veneers are for cosmetic fixes; crowns are for teeth that are structurally damaged.
Porcelain veneers vs whitening: Whitening only changes the colour of natural teeth. Veneers can also reshape, fill gaps, and cover stains that will not whiten.
Cost and insurance
Porcelain veneers are usually considered cosmetic and not covered by insurance. Exceptions: if a veneer also restores function (a chipped tooth that affects biting, for example), insurance often covers part of the cost. We submit a predetermination to your insurer before larger cases so you know exactly what is covered. We offer payment plans to spread the cost over several months. Call us at 604-282-3800 for a written quote on your specific case.
Why choose Madison Dental Studio for veneers
Over 20 years of cosmetic experience, digital smile planning (you see the result before we start), on-site impressions (no goopy putty), payment plans, predetermination submitted before larger cases, BCCOHP-registered team, and a multilingual team (English, Punjabi, Hindi, Persian, Tagalog, Spanish, Mandarin, Korean).
Porcelain veneer FAQ
Does getting veneers hurt?
No. The preparation is done under local anaesthetic. Most patients feel no pain. Some report mild sensitivity for a few days after the preparation visit, which fades on its own.
Will my veneers look fake?
No. We match the shape, length, and colour to your face and surrounding teeth. The most common feedback we hear from patients is “they look like my own teeth, just better.” The digital smile preview lets you approve the look before any work is done.
Can I whiten my teeth after veneers are placed?
Veneers do not change colour after they are placed, so they will not whiten. If you plan to whiten, do it BEFORE placing veneers so we can match the porcelain to your new (whiter) tooth colour. We whiten first, wait 2 weeks for the colour to stabilize, then place veneers.
Can veneers fall off?
Rarely, but it can happen, especially if you grind your teeth or bite into very hard foods. If a veneer comes off, save it, call us right away, and we can usually re-bond it the same day. Do not try to glue it back yourself.
How many veneers do I need?
It depends on what you want to change. A single chipped tooth needs one veneer. A wider smile makeover usually involves 6 to 10 veneers across the top front teeth. We discuss your goals at the consultation and recommend the minimum number to achieve the result you want.
Can I eat normally with veneers?
Yes, with two exceptions: avoid biting hard objects (ice, pen caps, fingernails) and sticky foods that can pull at the veneer. Otherwise, normal eating, drinking, and brushing are fine.
Will veneers damage my natural teeth?
No. We remove only a very thin layer of enamel (about 0.5 mm), which is replaced by the porcelain veneer. The tooth stays healthy underneath. The process is much less invasive than a crown.
Ready to redesign your smile?
Book a porcelain veneer consultation. We will examine your teeth, show you a digital preview of the proposed result, and give you a clear plan with full written cost.