Dental veneers can change the color, shape, size, or appearance of your teeth by covering their front surfaces with thin, tooth-colored material. But getting veneers involves more than simply choosing a new smile and having the shells attached.
Depending on the type of veneer you choose, the process may include a consultation, dental exam, tooth preparation, impressions or digital scans, temporary veneers, and a final bonding appointment.
The process of getting porcelain veneers usually starts with a dental consultation and exam. Your dentist then removes a small amount of enamel, takes an impression or digital scan, and has custom veneers made. At a later appointment, the veneers are checked for fit and permanently bonded to your teeth. Composite veneers may be completed more quickly because the material is shaped directly on the tooth.
What are dental veneers?
Veneers are thin coverings placed over the front surface of teeth to improve their appearance.
They may be used to address:
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Staining or discoloration
- Small gaps
- Misshapen teeth
- Uneven tooth size
- Minor cosmetic alignment concerns
The American Dental Association identifies two main types: porcelain and composite veneers.
Porcelain veneers are custom-made shells that are bonded to the teeth. Composite veneers use tooth-colored resin that a dentist shapes directly on the tooth.
Both can create a natural-looking result, but the procedure, cost, durability, and amount of tooth preparation can differ.
What is the process of getting veneers?
The exact process depends on your dentist and the type of veneer, but porcelain veneers commonly involve several steps.
Step 1: Consultation and dental exam
Your first appointment is usually a consultation.
Your dentist will examine your teeth and gums, discuss what you want to change about your smile, and determine whether veneers are appropriate.
Expect to talk about:
- Your cosmetic goals
- Tooth color and shape
- How many teeth you want treated
- Your bite
- Existing dental work
- Teeth grinding or clenching
- Alternative treatments
Your dentist may also take X-rays, photographs, impressions, or digital scans.
This step matters because veneers should be placed on healthy teeth. Cavities and gum disease generally need to be treated first.
If you are considering a significant cosmetic treatment plan, getting another opinion can also be helpful. Read more about when to get a second opinion from a dentist.
Step 2: Choosing your veneer type and appearance
Next, you and your dentist will discuss what you want the finished result to look like.
That can include:
- Tooth shade
- Shape
- Length
- Overall symmetry
- How the veneers will blend with untreated teeth
Very white or perfectly uniform teeth are not necessarily the most natural-looking option. Your dentist can help choose a shade and shape that works with your existing smile and facial features.
This is also a good time to ask what other treatments might achieve your goals. Whitening, orthodontics, bonding, or crowns may sometimes be better alternatives depending on the problem you want to correct.
Do dentists have to shave your teeth for veneers?
For porcelain veneers, usually some enamel must be removed from the front and sides of the teeth so the veneer can fit naturally.
The amount varies based on your teeth, the veneer design, and the technique your dentist uses.
According to the American Dental Association, porcelain veneer placement involves removing a small amount of enamel before an impression or digital model is made.
This is an important consideration because enamel does not grow back. Traditional porcelain veneer treatment is therefore considered irreversible.
Some veneers are marketed as requiring little or no preparation, but they are not appropriate for everyone.
Ask your dentist exactly how much tooth structure would need to be removed before you agree to treatment.
What happens after your teeth are prepared?
After tooth preparation, your dentist will take an impression or digital scan.
That information is used to create veneers designed specifically for your teeth.
If your porcelain veneers are being made by a dental laboratory, you may wear temporary veneers while you wait for the permanent ones.
Temporary veneers give you a preview of the general appearance while protecting prepared teeth. They may not look or feel exactly like the finished veneers.
Avoid biting hard objects or particularly sticky foods while temporary veneers are in place unless your dentist tells you otherwise.
What happens when the permanent veneers are placed?
At the final placement appointment, your dentist will first position the veneers on your teeth to check their:
- Shape
- Color
- Fit
- Alignment
- Bite
Adjustments can be made before permanent bonding.
Once you and your dentist are satisfied, your teeth are cleaned and prepared for bonding. Dental cement is applied, and the veneers are attached to the front surfaces of your teeth.
Your dentist will remove excess bonding material, check your bite, and make final adjustments if needed.
How are composite veneers different?
Composite veneers typically have a different process.
Instead of sending a mold or scan to a dental laboratory, your dentist applies tooth-colored composite resin directly to the tooth.
The dentist shapes the material, hardens it with a special light, and then smooths and polishes the finished veneer.
Composite veneers may require less enamel removal and may sometimes be completed in fewer appointments than porcelain veneers.
However, the ADA notes that composite material is generally less resistant to wear and staining than porcelain.
Does getting veneers hurt?
Veneer placement should not be severely painful.
If your teeth need to be prepared, your dentist may use local anesthesia to keep you comfortable.
Afterward, some people experience temporary:
- Tooth sensitivity
- Gum tenderness
- Sensitivity to hot or cold foods
- An unfamiliar feeling when biting
It can take a few days to adjust to the way veneers feel.
Contact your dentist if your bite feels uneven, pain is significant, or sensitivity does not improve.
Are veneers permanent?
Veneers are not permanent in the sense that they last forever. They may eventually chip, crack, loosen, wear down, or need replacement.
However, traditional porcelain veneer treatment is permanent in another important sense: once enamel has been removed, the tooth will always need some form of restoration covering it.
That is why veneers should be viewed as a long-term commitment rather than a temporary cosmetic treatment.
How do you take care of veneers?
Veneers do not require a complicated care routine.
The ADA recommends:
- Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
- Cleaning between your teeth every day
- Avoiding chewing ice, pens, fingernails, and other hard objects
- Wearing a mouthguard during activities that could injure your teeth
- Seeing your dentist for regular dental care
You can still develop cavities around or underneath veneers, so good oral hygiene remains important.
If you grind or clench your teeth, your dentist may recommend a nightguard.
How much do veneers cost?
Veneer prices vary considerably depending on:
- Porcelain versus composite material
- Number of teeth treated
- Dentist and laboratory fees
- Geographic location
- Complexity of the treatment
Because veneers are usually cosmetic, dental insurance often does not cover them unless there is a qualifying restorative reason.
Ask for a written treatment estimate before committing, including the cost of temporary veneers, imaging, laboratory work, and follow-up care.
If you are comparing dentists, our guide on how to find a good dentist explains what to look for beyond price alone.
Who may not be a good candidate for veneers?
Veneers are not right for everyone.
The ADA notes that they may not be recommended if you have:
- Untreated tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Significant teeth grinding or clenching
- A deep overbite
- Other dental problems that need treatment first
Your dentist should evaluate the health of your teeth, gums, and bite before recommending cosmetic treatment.
Be cautious about receiving veneers from anyone who is not a licensed dental professional. The ADA specifically warns that veneer services performed by unlicensed individuals can lead to complications including infection and nerve damage.
The bottom line
The process of getting veneers typically begins with a consultation, followed by treatment planning, tooth preparation, impressions or scans, and final placement.
Porcelain veneers can provide a durable, natural-looking cosmetic change, but they usually involve removing some enamel and should be considered a long-term commitment. Composite veneers may require less preparation but have different durability and maintenance considerations.
Before deciding, ask your dentist what will happen to your natural teeth, what alternatives are available, how much treatment will cost, and what future replacement could involve.
Ready to discuss your options? You can use Zocdoc to find a cosmetic dentist, compare available appointments, read verified patient reviews, and book a consultation online.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does the process of getting veneers take?
Porcelain veneers often require more than one appointment because custom veneers may need to be made in a dental laboratory. Composite veneers may sometimes be completed in a single visit. Your dentist can provide a specific timeline based on your treatment plan.
Do they shave your teeth down for veneers?
Porcelain veneers usually require a small amount of enamel to be removed from the front and sides of the tooth. The amount varies, so ask your dentist exactly how much tooth preparation your treatment would require.
Is getting veneers painful?
Dentists may use local anesthesia during tooth preparation, so the procedure itself should not be severely painful. Temporary sensitivity or gum tenderness can occur afterward.
Are veneers reversible?
Traditional porcelain veneers generally are not reversible because some natural enamel is removed before placement.
How long do veneers last?
Veneers can last for years, but their lifespan varies based on material, oral hygiene, bite, grinding or clenching, and other factors. They may eventually need to be repaired or replaced.
The information in this article is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be relied on as medical advice. It is not intended as, and Zocdoc does not provide, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Zocdoc does not recommend any specific provider. Find one you’ll love on Zocdoc today.