Porcelain veneers in Irving, TX

What porcelain veneers are — and what they can fix

Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made shells bonded to the front of your teeth. Each one is roughly the thickness of a fingernail and is shaped and shaded to blend with the rest of your smile. For many people in Irving and Las Colinas, veneers are the answer when whitening hasn't done enough and the teeth underneath are healthy.

Veneers work best for problems on the front surfaces people see when you smile:

• Chips and worn, uneven edges
• Small gaps between front teeth
• Teeth that look too short, too pointed or oddly shaped
• Stubborn stains from medication, fluorosis or an old injury that whitening can't lift
• Mildly uneven or slightly rotated teeth that don't need to be moved

Porcelain also resists coffee and tea stains better than natural enamel, and it reflects light the way a real tooth does.

Signs you might need porcelain veneers

• Chipped or worn front teeth
• Small gaps you'd like closed
• Teeth that look short, uneven or oddly shaped
• Stains that didn't respond to whitening
• Old, mismatched fillings on front teeth

Are you a good candidate for veneers?

The best candidates have healthy gums, no active decay and enough enamel for the veneer to bond to. We check all of that at your consultation, along with your bite.

Veneers may not be the right choice if:

• A tooth is heavily filled or cracked. A crown protects the whole tooth and usually holds up better in that situation.
• You have untreated gum disease. Inflamed gums bleed and recede, which affects how veneers look and seal. We treat the gums first.
• Your teeth are significantly crowded. Veneers can disguise small irregularities, but covering major crowding often means removing too much tooth.
• You grind or clench heavily. Grinding doesn't always rule veneers out, but porcelain can chip, so we'll talk about protecting your teeth at night.

Dr. Carl Prince focuses on aesthetic dentistry, and Dr. Chloe Kim focuses on cosmetic procedures. Both take time to understand what you want before recommending anything.

Veneers vs. whitening vs. crowns

These three are easy to mix up. Here's the quick version; our veneers vs. whitening guide goes deeper.

Prep, temporaries and the final fit

Veneer preparation is gentle but precise. After we numb the area thoroughly, we remove a very thin layer of enamel from the front of each tooth — often less than a millimeter — so the veneer sits flush instead of looking bulky. Most patients feel pressure, not pain.

Next, we take digital impressions — no goopy trays — and confirm the shade in natural light. The lab crafts your veneers over roughly two to three weeks. In the meantime, you wear temporary veneers. They look reasonable but are more fragile than the real thing, so avoid biting into apples or crusty bread with your front teeth, skip sticky candy and let us know if one comes loose.

At the final visit, we try the veneers in before bonding anything. You see them in your mouth and in a mirror, and we make sure you're happy with the color and shape first. Then each veneer is bonded, hardened with a curing light and polished, and we fine-tune your bite.

How long veneers last and how to care for them

With good care, porcelain veneers typically last 10 to 15 years, and many last longer. The porcelain itself is durable; what usually ends a veneer's life is a chip from biting something hard, decay at the edge where veneer meets tooth, or gum recession that exposes that edge.

• Brush twice a day with a soft brush and a non-abrasive toothpaste, and floss daily.
• Don't use your teeth as tools — no opening packages, biting nails or chewing ice and pens.
• Keep up with cleanings and exams so we can check the edges and your gums.
• Wear a night guard if you grind.
• Remember that veneers won't whiten. If you want brighter teeth around them later, ask us first.

What to expect, step by step

1. Consultation and photos

   We talk about what you'd like to change, take photos and check your teeth, gums and bite to confirm veneers are a good fit.

2. Plan shape and shade

   Together we decide how many veneers, their length, shape and color, and what's realistic for your smile. You get a written estimate.

3. Prepare the teeth

   After thorough numbing, we remove a thin layer of front enamel and take digital impressions for the lab.

4. Wear temporaries

   Temporary veneers protect your teeth for about two to three weeks while the lab makes your porcelain veneers.

5. Try in and bond

   We check fit and color with you before bonding each veneer, then polish them and adjust your bite.

6. Follow-up visit

   A short check a couple of weeks later to look at your gums and bite once everything has settled.

Cost, insurance & financing

In the Dallas–Fort Worth area, porcelain veneers typically range from about $900 to $2,500 per tooth. Many people choose somewhere between two and eight veneers, depending on how many teeth show when they smile. Because veneers are usually considered cosmetic, dental insurance often doesn't cover them, although a plan may help when a veneer is restoring a broken tooth.

Your exact cost depends on the number of veneers, the porcelain and lab work, and whether you need whitening, gum care or fillings first. We give you a written estimate before treatment. Financing through Cherry, Affirm and CareCredit is available, subject to credit approval — see insurance and financing.