Porcelain Veneers
Also known as dental veneers, smile makeover
Transforms a smile in two visits. Also permanently destroys healthy tooth structure — the trade-off people underestimate.
US $1,000–2,500 per tooth; a typical 8–10 tooth smile runs $10,000–25,000.
How it works
A thin layer of enamel is removed from the front of the tooth and a custom porcelain shell is bonded in place, changing shape, colour, alignment and length. Once enamel is removed the tooth is permanently dependent on being covered.
How it's used
Exhaust orthodontics and whitening first — they achieve much of the same result without destroying tooth structure. Insist on a wax-up and trial smile before any drilling. Minimal-prep or no-prep veneers preserve far more enamel where the case allows. Be extremely cautious with cheap overseas "smile makeovers" that aggressively crown healthy teeth.
Trade-offs
In favour
- Immediate and dramatic aesthetic change
- Corrects colour, shape, chips and minor misalignment at once
- Porcelain resists staining
- Lasts 10–20 years with good technique
Against
- Irreversible removal of healthy enamel
- Requires replacement every 10–20 years, forever
- Expensive, and replacement cost recurs
- Poor shade or shape choice is conspicuous and costly to redo
Risks and side effects
- Permanent loss of enamel and lifelong dependence on restoration
- Tooth sensitivity, sometimes persistent
- Pulp death requiring root canal treatment, particularly with aggressive preparation
- Debonding and chipping
- Gum inflammation at poorly contoured margins
- Unnatural appearance if shade and proportion are badly chosen
Recovery
Sensitivity for 1–2 weeks with temporaries. Minor gum tenderness after fitting. No real downtime.
How good is the evidence?
Well-documented longevity data for porcelain veneers; outcomes depend heavily on case selection and technique.
Sources
Sources point to guideline bodies and literature searches rather than single papers, so they stay accurate as the evidence moves.