At a glance
Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells bonded to the front of your teeth. They change color, shape and size, and suit people with stains whitening can’t fix, chipped or worn edges, or small gaps across several front teeth. Veneers are one of our cosmetic dentistry options.
Veneers take two or more visits, and a thin layer of enamel is usually removed, which can’t be undone. You get a written estimate before treatment.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Visits | Usually two or more: planning and preparation, then fitting |
| Numbing | Local anesthetic (numbing) only when needed |
| Reversible? | No. Enamel is usually removed to make room |
| Price | Written estimate before treatment (see dental prices) |
| Insurance | Usually not covered when cosmetic; we check your plan |
| Saturday appointments | Yes, Saturdays 9am–3pm, plus Tuesday and Wednesday |
Do you need dental veneers?
- Front teeth that are stained and haven’t responded to whitening
- Chipped, worn or uneven front teeth
- Small gaps you’d like closed without aligners
- Old bonding that keeps staining or chipping
Veneers aren’t a good fit if you have active decay or gum disease, very little enamel, or a heavy grinding habit that isn’t controlled. Crooked teeth may be better straightened first.
Porcelain or composite veneers: what’s the difference?
Veneers are usually made from porcelain (made in a lab) or composite resin (built up on the tooth). We’ll talk through which suits your teeth, goals and budget at your consultation.
| Porcelain veneers | Composite veneers | |
|---|---|---|
| How they’re made | Made in a dental lab from impressions | Shaped directly on your teeth |
| Stain resistance | Resist stains well | Can stain over time |
| Repairs | Usually replaced if they break | Often repaired in the office |
| Visits | Two or more | Often fewer |
How long do veneers last?
With good care, veneers can last many years, but none last forever. Grinding, biting hard objects, gum recession and decay at the edges shorten their life. Regular checkups, a night guard if you grind, and good brushing and flossing help them last.
What happens at your visit
- Consultation: we talk about what you want to change, check your teeth and gums, and plan the shade and shape.
- Preparation: after numbing, a thin layer of enamel is removed and impressions are taken. Temporary coverings may be placed.
- Fitting: at a later visit we check the fit and shade, then bond the veneers in place.
- Bite check: we polish the edges and adjust your bite.
- Follow-up: we check how your gums and bite have settled.
Cost, insurance and financing
Veneer cost depends on the number of teeth and the material. Because veneers are usually done in sets for an even smile, we plan the full number with you and give a written estimate before treatment — see dental prices for our published fees. Most dental plans treat purely cosmetic work as elective and don’t cover it, but we check your benefits first, because some repairs (a broken tooth, for example) may be covered. We accept Cherry, Sunbit and CareCredit for financing (see financing options). FSA and HSA rules usually exclude treatment done only for looks, so ask your plan administrator before using one. See insurance.
Recovery and aftercare
Teeth may feel a little sensitive for a few days. Brush and floss as usual; veneers need the same care as natural teeth, and the teeth underneath can still decay. Don’t bite ice, pens or fingernails. If you grind, wear a night guard and replace it when it wears thin (see how long night guards last). Keep regular checkups so we can check the edges.
Alternatives
| Option | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Whitening | Overall yellowing | Color only; doesn’t fix shape |
| Bonding | One or two small fixes | Less enamel removed, but stains and chips sooner |
| Contouring | Tiny chips or uneven tips | Only small changes |
| Invisalign | Crooked or spaced teeth | Months of aligner wear; color unchanged |
| Crowns | Weak or heavily filled teeth | More tooth reshaped; from $1,199 each |
When to call us
Call us if a veneer feels loose, chips or comes off, your bite feels off after fitting, or a tooth under a veneer becomes painful (see emergency dental care). Keep a loose veneer and bring it with you. Call (832) 612-2831 — we’re open Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, 9am–3pm.
Why patients in Richmond choose us
- Veneers planned and fitted here
- Health check first: decay and gum disease treated before cosmetic work
- Cosmetic care from Dr. Harsh Patel, who has broad experience in cosmetic dentistry, with a written estimate before treatment
- Saturday appointments available
Related guides
- Teeth bonding vs veneers: which is right for your smile?
- Front tooth repair options: bonding, veneer or crown?
- Can yellow teeth be whitened? What works and what doesn’t
- How long does a dental crown last?
Frequently asked questions
The change to your teeth is. Enamel removed to fit veneers doesn’t grow back, so the teeth will always need a veneer or other covering. The veneers themselves may need replacing in the future.
Well-planned veneers are matched in shade and shape to your face and other teeth. We plan them with you before the teeth are prepared.
No. Veneers keep their color. If you want lighter natural teeth too, whiten before we match the veneer shade.
Bonding is quicker and removes less tooth but stains and chips sooner. Veneers cover more and resist stains better but cost more and aren’t reversible.
Not always. Some people need one or two; others choose several so the color and shape match across the smile. We show you the options and the estimate for each.
Grinding can crack or loosen veneers. If you grind, we may suggest a night guard and talk about whether veneers are a sensible choice for you.