Porcelain Veneers

*Actual Patient

Our cosmetic dentist, Dr. Michael Fulbright, and his dental team at our practice provide beautiful porcelain veneers from which patients can have their smiles transformed with remarkable results. Veneers allow our dentists to completely cover chipped, cracked, and discolored teeth and give patients brand new smiles in just two office visits. Many patients who have had porcelain veneers placed at our office have enjoyed life-changing results. Our dentists are happy to meet with you and discuss your options for getting the smile of your dreams.

Sandra talks about the longevity of her veneers and the confidence boost she’s received since the procedure

What Are Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain Veneers Care

Porcelain Veneers vs. Crowns

Porcelain Veneers Results

Porcelain Veneers Cost

Additional Porcelain Veneers FAQs

What are Porcelain Veneers?

porcelain veneers

Veneers are tiny, thin, shells of porcelain that cover the front of a tooth and conceal chips, cracks, misalignment, and discoloration. Veneers are indistinguishable from natural teeth, since they are made of multilayered translucent porcelain and custom-designed for each individual patient. For patients whose teeth are broken, crooked, or discolored, our dentists can solve these problems quickly and easily with MAC™, da Vinci™, or another brand of porcelain veneers. To see the smiles of our patients who have had these problems and others treated with veneers, visit our Fulbright Smile Gallery.

Porcelain Veneers vs. Crowns

veneers rendering

Porcelain veneers and custom dental crowns each offer significant advantages for patients who need functional or aesthetic improvement for their teeth. With that in mind, there are also some important distinctions between these treatments that can make one more ideal than the other in certain cases. A veneer is designed to cover only the visible portion of a tooth, rather than the entire tooth. Veneers are typically more useful for teeth that do not need excessive structural repair to address heavy damage or decay. In fact, while veneers can help improve the function of teeth, they are often primarily utilized for patients who are trying to enhance the appearance of the affected teeth.

On the other hand, a dental crown covers the entire tooth, rather than just a portion of it. This treatment is typically better for patients who have teeth that show signs of excessive damage, decay, and structural weakness. A customized dental crown is precisely designed to provide results that look, feel, and function like a natural tooth. It is place over the affected tooth with a strong dental cement that, with the proper care, allows for long-lasting, often permanent results. Dental crowns can strengthen damaged teeth and protect them from further weakness, potentially even saving the tooth from extraction. A common procedure on its own, dental crowns also serve as the final step in dental implant and root canal treatments.

Our dentist will talk with you about your options during your initial consultation and determine whether a porcelain veneer or a dental crown will be more ideal for your needs.

The Porcelain Veneers Process

The porcelain veneers treatment process involves a genuine collaboration between you and our dental team. It’s important to remember that our cosmetic dentist is a true Smile Designer. Dr. Fulbright is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and is extensively trained and experienced with porcelain veneer procedures. Our entire dental team sincerely understands the profound effect this particular treatment can have on someone’s life and their unique smile. With porcelain veneers, we change lives… one smile at a time!

Custom consultation & designing your smile

The first step in the porcelain veneers process involves a Smile Design consult with Dr. Fulbright, pre-treatment photo and video production, and the creation of digital records. This stage will ultimately form the foundation of your treatment plan.

Consult with our master ceramist

During this visit, you will meet with our Master Ceramist, Sam Lee, CDT, MDC, who will ultimately create a custom diagnostic wax-up of your teeth to use as a model for the creation of the veneer(s). During this consultation, our Master Ceramist will review your photos and go over aspects of the treatment such as shade-matching and contour.

Prep impressions & prototype veneers

Your third visit is your “preparation” appointment. Dr. Fulbright will perform a minimal reshaping of the tooth being treated in order to provide the best fit for the custom veneer. Then, a final digital impression will be taken, and a prototype veneer will be placed on the tooth. This unique stage of the process makes it possible for you to “test” your new smile, allowing us to identify and implement any corrections that may be necessary to provide you with the smile of your dreams in just a few short weeks.

Final Placement

On your fourth visit, the prototype will be removed and we will place the final version of the custom veneer on the affected tooth. The veneer will be sealed to the tooth with a durable, resin-bonded cement.

Follow-up appointment & photo shoot

During this appointment, we will examine your teeth to ensure that the treatment is meeting your expectations. We will also conduct a studio photo session to capture your winning new smile!

Once in place, porcelain veneers look and feel completely natural, and they can last for decades with minimal maintenance. Many patients also elect to undergo professional teeth whitening before their porcelain veneers have been placed. Our dentist will talk with you about all of your options during the initial consultation.

Porcelain Veneers Cost

veneers cost

After learning of the many benefits that porcelain veneers can offer, our patients often ask how much the procedure will cost. On average, a porcelain veneers procedure can cost between $2,000 and $3,000 per tooth. Since Dr. Fulbright custom-designs the procedure for each individual, the exact price of porcelain veneers ultimately varies from patient to patient.

Some factors that typically impact the cost of the porcelain veneers procedure include:

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Number of affected teeth

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Location of the affected teeth

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Experience and skill level of the dental laboratory

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Complexity of your unique procedure

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The degree of tooth preparation necessary

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Experience and skill of your cosmetic dentist

During your initial consultation, Dr. Fulbright will conduct a thorough oral exam and give you his recommendations for a treatment plan. A member of our dental team will then provide you with an estimate for the overall cost of the procedure.

At our practice, we aim to give every patient the opportunity to maintain a healthy, beautiful smile. To aid in this endeavor, we offer a number of dental financing options to help our cosmetic dentistry procedures fit comfortably within your budget. From low-interest rates to monthly payment plans for qualified applicants, our friendly and knowledgeable staff is happy to answer any questions you might have about financing your procedure.

Porcelain Veneers Care

Aside from regular brushing and flossing, porcelain veneers do not require any kind of special maintenance. That said, it is important that you take steps to avoid grinding or clenching your teeth so that the veneers are not subject to excessive amounts of pressure on a regular basis.

veneers care

Porcelain Veneers Results

One of the major benefits of porcelain veneers is the potential longevity of results. Many patients who take proper care of their teeth experience the results of porcelain veneers for decades.

Guy Looking At Toothy Smile In Mirror In Bathroom

Additional Frequently Asked Questions about porcelain veneers

Below, we have outlined some of the most common questions we receive about porcelain veneers. If you have additional questions, please contact our practice for more information.

What can porcelain dental veneers do for my teeth?

Porcelain dental veneers can improve a range of teeth imperfections, including stains, discolorations, gaps, chips, and even some cases of misalignment. Unlike crowns, porcelain veneers do not cover the entire tooth – they are custom-designed to fit over a partial area of the tooth. The veneers are made to look and feel so much like natural teeth, you may forget they aren’t the real thing!

Will they be a good fit?

Porcelain dental veneers are custom-molded from an impression we’ll create of your teeth here in our office. They are specifically designed for the best possible fit on your teeth, and affixed with an extremely durable dental cement so they can stay in place for years.

Do porcelain veneers look natural?

Yes. Porcelain veneers are made of a very strong ceramic material and color-tinted to match the rest of your teeth. They are built to look like your natural teeth.

Is the porcelain veneers procedure uncomfortable?

The procedure is typically performed using a local anesthetic to numb the treated areas, and Dr. Fulbright will make every effort to make it as painless as possible. Dr. Fulbright can also help to alleviate any anxiety you may have with sedation dentistry techniques.

Are porcelain veneers long-lasting?

Porcelain dental veneers are known for long-lasting results. In fact, the veneers have lasted for decades, and even lifetimes, in many patients.