Porcelain Veneers in Moses Lake, WA
Porcelain veneers address several cosmetic concerns at once. A single shell bonded to the front of a tooth can change its color, shape, length, and texture simultaneously. For patients with multiple cosmetic concerns on their front teeth, veneers are often the most efficient solution.
Dr. Nick Smith, DDS, places porcelain veneers at Moses Lake Family Dentistry. His continuing education has focused substantially on esthetics, which includes the technical and visual skills required for cosmetic work like veneer placement. Veneers are completed across two appointments at our office on East Nelson Road.
If you are thinking about veneers or want to know whether they are the right option for your teeth, call 509-765-4351. The first step is a consultation where Dr. Smith looks at your teeth, discusses your goals, and tells you honestly whether veneers would work well for your situation.
Call 509-765-4351 to schedule a cosmetic consultation with Dr. Smith. Open from 7:00 AM most weekdays. Wednesday hours until 7:00 PM.
What Are Porcelain Veneers?
A veneer is a thin shell of dental porcelain, typically 0.5 to 1 millimeter thick, that is bonded to the front surface of a tooth. The porcelain used for veneers is chosen because its translucency and light reflection closely mimic natural tooth enamel. Unlike crowns, which cover the entire tooth, veneers cover only the visible front surface.
Veneers are permanently bonded in place. They do not come off at night and do not require adhesive. They function like part of the tooth and can be brushed and flossed normally.
Because placing a veneer typically requires removing a thin layer of enamel to make room for the shell, the procedure is considered irreversible. The teeth will always need a veneer or some other covering going forward. This is an important part of the decision Dr. Smith discusses at the consultation.
What Veneers Can Address
- Permanent tooth staining or discoloration that whitening does not resolve
- Chipped or fractured front teeth
- Teeth that are too small or misshapen
- Slight misalignment or crowding of front teeth (cosmetic improvement only, not a replacement for orthodontics)
- Gaps between front teeth
- Worn-down tooth edges
- Visible old metal fillings on front teeth
Veneers work best on teeth with healthy underlying structure. A tooth with extensive decay or that needs a crown for structural reasons is better served by a crown than a veneer.
The Veneer Process at Moses Lake Family Dentistry
Consultation and Treatment Planning
At your consultation, Dr. Smith examines your teeth and gums, discusses what you want to change about your smile, and reviews whether your teeth are good candidates for veneers. He may take photos or impressions to aid in planning. If your teeth need any restorative work before veneers are placed, that is addressed first.
Dr. Smith explains how many veneers would be needed to achieve the result you want, what shade options are available, and what the approximate cost will be. He also discusses alternatives, including direct bonding for minor corrections or orthodontics if alignment is the primary concern.
Tooth Preparation
At your preparation appointment, Dr. Smith numbs the teeth being veneered with local anesthesia. A thin layer of enamel (approximately 0.5 millimeters) is removed from the front surface of each tooth. An impression is taken of the prepared teeth and sent to the dental laboratory where your custom veneers are fabricated.
Temporary veneers are placed over the prepared teeth to protect them and maintain appearance while your permanent veneers are being made. This process takes approximately two weeks. If you have any concerns about the fit or feel of the temporaries during that time, call us.
Veneer Delivery
At your second appointment, Dr. Smith removes the temporary veneers and checks the fit and shade of the permanent ones before bonding anything. You get to see how they look and provide feedback at this stage. When you and Dr. Smith are both satisfied with the result, the veneers are etched, bonded, and polished into place.
The bonding process uses a dental adhesive that is light-cured to a strong hold. Once set, the veneers are secure. Dr. Smith checks your bite and makes any necessary adjustments before you leave.
Caring for Porcelain Veneers
Veneers do not require special care beyond a consistent oral hygiene routine. Brush twice daily with a non-abrasive toothpaste and floss once daily along the gumline around the veneers. Attend regular checkup and cleaning appointments. Our hygiene team uses instruments appropriate for veneer surfaces.
Avoid using your front teeth to bite fingernails, open packaging, or chew ice. These habits put excessive force on the veneers and can chip or fracture them. If you grind your teeth at night, Dr. Smith recommends a custom nightguard to protect the veneers from wear.
Veneers are stain-resistant but the cement at the edges can pick up staining over time. Limiting coffee, tea, and red wine helps maintain the appearance of both the veneers and the natural teeth around them.
How Long Do Veneers Last?
With consistent care, porcelain veneers placed on healthy teeth typically last 10 to 20 years. Some patients keep their veneers for longer before any replacement is needed. The bonding material at the edge of the veneer is the most vulnerable area over time. Dr. Smith checks the margins of your veneers at each checkup appointment.
Veneers need to be replaced when the bonding fails, when a veneer chips or fractures, or when gum recession exposes the root surface below the veneer edge. Proper care significantly extends their useful life.
Cost and Insurance
Porcelain veneers are considered a cosmetic procedure. Most dental insurance plans, including Delta Dental, do not cover their cost. In cases where a veneer also serves a clear restorative function, some partial coverage may apply. Our team checks your specific plan and tells you what is covered before treatment begins.
The cost of veneers at Moses Lake Family Dentistry depends on the number of teeth being treated and the specific case requirements. Dr. Smith provides a detailed cost estimate at your consultation. Cherry financing is available for patients who want to spread the cost across monthly payments.
Veneers vs. Bonding: Which One Is Right for You?
Both veneers and direct bonding use materials that improve the appearance of teeth, but they are different treatments suited to different situations.
Bonding uses composite resin applied directly to the tooth in a single appointment. It requires little to no enamel removal, costs less, and can usually be done without anesthesia. The trade-off is longevity. Bonding typically lasts 5 to 10 years and is more susceptible to staining than porcelain.
Veneers are more durable, more stain-resistant, and more predictable in their final appearance. They require a laboratory fabrication phase, two appointments, and more investment. For patients with multiple front teeth to improve or for whom longevity is the priority, veneers tend to be the better choice. For a single minor chip or one cosmetic concern, bonding is often the more practical option.
Dr. Smith recommends based on your specific teeth and goals, not on which procedure costs more.
Frequently Asked Questions About Porcelain Veneers
Do veneers look natural?
Yes. Dental porcelain mimics the way natural enamel reflects light. Veneers are shade-matched to adjacent teeth or to your preferred target shade. In most cases, veneers placed by an experienced dentist are not distinguishable from natural teeth by casual observers.
Do veneers hurt?
The preparation appointment is done with local anesthesia, so the procedure itself is not painful. Some patients experience mild sensitivity in the prepared teeth while wearing temporary veneers. This typically resolves once the permanent veneers are bonded.
Can veneers be whitened?
No. Porcelain does not respond to whitening agents. The shade of your veneers is set at fabrication. If you want your veneers to be a particular shade, whitening your natural teeth first allows the veneers to be color-matched to that brighter shade. This is why Dr. Smith recommends whitening before veneer placement when both are planned.
How many veneers do I need?
It depends on which teeth are visible when you smile and which ones need cosmetic improvement. Some patients need veneers on only one or two teeth to address a specific chip or gap. Others want all of the visible teeth treated for a uniform result. Dr. Smith reviews your smile line at the consultation and recommends the number that will produce the result you want.
Can I get veneers if I grind my teeth?
Bruxism increases the risk of veneer fracture. Dr. Smith addresses this at the consultation. In many cases, patients with bruxism can still get veneers if they commit to wearing a nightguard consistently. He factors your bite and grinding habits into the treatment plan.
Call 509-765-4351 to schedule your porcelain veneer consultation with Dr. Nick Smith. We are open from 7:00 AM most weekdays and until 7:00 PM on Wednesdays.