PORCELAIN VENEERS

Pros 

• Traditional porcelain veneers are considered permanent, lasting up to several decades. 
• They can make your teeth look close to perfect, correcting minor gaps and alignment issues far faster than braces or clear aligners like Invisalign. In fact, they’re sometimes dubbed “instant orthodontics.”  
• Porcelain veneers are stain-resistant (unlike composite veneers).  
• Their translucent quality makes them look very similar to natural teeth. 
• They're highly customizable, with an array of shades to choose from. 
• You can get veneers for as few or as many teeth as you need to create a brighter smile, matching the veneers to the color of your natural teeth. 
• They can help downplay a gummy smile by making your tooth size more proportionate to the amount of gum you flash when you smile.  

Cons

• In most cases, some of your natural tooth enamel has to be filed down to make room for the veneer, which makes the process irreversible. It can also increase tooth sensitivity, if these preparations are done too close to a nerve. 
• They can end up looking a little too perfect. Your dentist may even suggest adding some slight imperfections, to mimic natural teeth. 
• Dental veneers can hide a lot, but they can’t completely erase a major underlying issue.  
• Pressure from grinding can chip or crack the porcelain layers. If you grind your teeth at night, you'll need to invest in a mouthguard (and possibly consider masseter Botox). 
• If veneers crack or chip, they can’t just be repaired—they’ll need to be fully replaced, at an additional cost. 
• Veneers cost a few thousand dollars more than you’d pay for a combination of Invisalign and teeth whitening, though they create a much more dramatic result.

Related: Real Housewives of Miami Star Lisa Hochstein Reveals Her New Teeth

• Average Cost:
• $12,573

• Range:
• $3,870 - $25,000

How much you'll pay for porcelain veneers will depend on your provider's location, their credentials, the number of veneers you get, and a few other key factors. Cosmetic procedures like porcelain veneers are rarely covered by dental insurance. 

You can finance your treatment with CareCredit.

See our complete guide to porcelain veneer costs

The porcelain veneer photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.

You'll need to be in good oral health to get any kind of veneer. To ensure you're a good candidate, your dentist will first examine your mouth for any underlying issues, like tooth decay. They may also take X-rays, to make sure your tooth structure is sound. 

Some minor misalignment is fine, but if you have more seriously crooked teeth, it's likely that you'll need braces or clear aligners before you can go this route. “We want cosmetic dentistry to last a lifetime,” says Dr. N. Summer Lerch, a dentist in New Haven, Connecticut. “This is most likely to happen when the teeth are in their proper spots.”

Anyone who grinds their teeth at night should seriously consider getting a mouth guard, to prevent damage to their veneers. If you grind or clench your teeth, discuss with your dentist whether crowns may be a better option than veneers, which are a more delicate restoration, says Dr. Jessica Wyatt, a dentist in Jupiter, Florida.

Unless you're getting veneers on all your teeth, it's also a good idea to get your natural teeth whitened before you and your dentist choose the shade of your veneers. You'll need touch-up whitening of your unveneered teeth every year or two, but this will help ensure that all your teeth match.

RealSelf members give porcelain veneers a 79% Worth It Rating, so most people who have reviewed their procedure say that their results were worth it. Many note how natural their results look and how their new smiles have boosted their confidence. 

One RealSelf member who got veneers as a 50th birthday gift to himself says, "There is nothing like having a great smile that boosts your self confidence.... I cried real tears when they showed me that mirror."

However, veneers are a major investment that can go wrong. Those who say their procedure was not worth it are frustrated by unnatural-looking results, misaligned veneers, or complications like chronic gum irritation. 

These themes appear to be more prevalent among those who traveled outside the U.S. to clinics where they had limited time and attention from their cosmetic dentist, with poor follow-up care afterward. While there are certainly reputable clinics in places like Mexico and South America, it's smart to do a little extra leg work if you plan to save some money by traveling. 

Pay special attention to the dentist's patient reviews, insist on a virtual consultation before you make a deposit. Ask how they'll ensure that you're a good candidate, how they handle follow-up care for out-of-town patients, and what they'll do if you have a complication. Before you permanently alter your teeth, you need to be able to trust that you'll be in good hands.

The veneer process usually requires three dental appointments. 

1) At your initial consultation, you’ll likely see a mock-up or a computer simulation of what you’d look like with different shapes, sizes, and colors of teeth. You may also be given a “workup” model that you can slip into your mouth in order to see what you will look like with veneers, says Dr. Steven Davidowitz, a cosmetic dentist in New York City who does this for his patients. 

2) At your veneer prep procedure, your dentist will give you local anesthesia, to prevent discomfort, and then shave about half a millimeter (the thickness of the veneer) off your tooth enamel, to make room for the new porcelain. If you want your teeth to be shorter than they naturally are, they’ll file down the bottoms of the teeth as well. 

Removing enamel is what’s referred to as full-prep veneer. If your teeth are already in pretty decent shape, you can opt for a no-prep veneer, with no enamel removed before placing veneers, or minimal prep, which means the dentist removes less tooth enamel. Just be aware that you do run the risk of the final result looking a bit bulky.

Then the dentist makes a mold of your teeth, which goes to the lab or a ceramist, to create your new custom veneers. This typically takes one to three weeks. Some master ceramists hand-paint each layer in order to lend your veneers the most natural look.

In the meantime, your dentist will give you temporary veneers to wear. “The temporary veneers are really helpful for both the patient and the dentist,” says Dr. Davidowitz. “If something about the temporaries doesn’t look right, you can make changes before the permanent veneers go on.” 

During the temporary phase, you'll need to avoid eating or drinking anything too acidic, sweet, hot, or cold. “The teeth are a little bit naked during this stage, so there can be increased sensitivity,” says Dr. Davidowitz. You’ll also need to avoid foods that are tough to chew (like steak, bagels, apples) so you don’t crack the temporaries, which aren’t as strong as real teeth or permanent veneers.

3) At your veneer application procedure, you'll be given local anesthesia. Once you're numb, your dentist will try the new veneers on you for fit, making changes as needed. 

Then they’ll rough up the surface of your teeth, giving the veneers a grippy surface to adhere to, before applying a thin layer of bonding cement. They will then place the veneers and use a special light to activate the quick-dry chemicals in the cement. 

Once the veneers are placed, your dentist will evaluate your bite and make any necessary adjustments. This whole process isn't quick: expect to be in the chair about three hours for every 10 teeth. 

You can also expect to need several shorter follow-up dental visits in the weeks and months afterward.

You'll be numb while the veneers are applied, so you shouldn't feel pain. Recovery isn’t too painful either, though about half of veneer patients experience something called bonding sensitivity, as the bonding cement irritates their teeth. This can cause pain for up to six hours after the anesthesia wears off; then it should subside to an occasional dull ache. 

You may also be a little sore while your gums get used to your new teeth, especially if you‘ve had more than eight veneers applied. Over-the-counter pain medication will likely be enough to keep you comfortable.

If you’re still feeling pain a few days after the procedure or your bite feels weird, see your dentist. They can make some tweaks with a file or get rid of microscopic pieces of cement that may be stuck between your teeth, causing discomfort.

Veneers are considered safe and low-risk, but there are some potential complications to be aware of, including:

• Trauma to the tooth. “Anytime there is drilling or high friction, it can cause inflammation of the nerve,” says Dr. Davidowitz. Severe inflammation or tooth damage may require a root canal.
• Damage to the tooth structure, if the enamel is shaved too aggressively.
• Chips, breakage, or loss of the veneer that requires replacement. 
• Gum sensitivity or infection. Some RealSelf members have experienced lingering gum sensitivity for months after their procedure. 
• Tooth sensitivity from the bonding cement or irritation of the nerve, which usually subsides after a week or two. 
• A misaligned bite. During your consultation, confirm that your provider will be available to make adjustments to ensure that your bite is properly aligned after your procedure.
• An unnatural-looking result. Veneers gone wrong can look too bulky, long, or uniform. One RealSelf member says her veneers "look like dentures.

Porcelain veneers are considered permanent because the process isn't reversible. However, that doesn't mean your veneers will last a lifetime. "Like anything else, veneers will likely need to be replaced at some point in your life,” says Dr. Veytsman. 

They typically last about 15 years, but they can last as long as 30 years, with proper care. Composite resin veneers tend to have a much shorter lifespan of 5 to 7 years. 

A 2012 study showed that the “survival rate” of porcelain veneers was “94.4% after 5 years, 93.5% at 10 years, and 82.9% at 20 years. The biggest reason for failure was teeth grinding [bruxism].” Smokers also had some discoloration along the edges of their teeth.

The veneers are still covering your natural teeth, so you'll need to continue to practice good oral hygiene and dental care to make them last and keep your teeth healthy.

You can still develop gum disease with veneers, and tooth decay or injuries can cause veneers to break, especially early on. So brush your teeth after meals (porcelain veneers are very durable, and most any toothpaste will be safe), practice regular flossing, and get two dental checkups per year.

You'll also need to avoid biting your fingernails or other hard objects, chewing ice, using your teeth to rip open packages, or doing anything else that could cause them to crack. Dental porcelain is a glass-like material that can break or shatter with too much stress.  

“You, the patient, have a huge role in maintaining the longevity of your veneers,” says Dr. Andy Shieh, a Pittsburgh-based dentist. “You can't just have them put on and go MIA for three or four years.” 

Dr. Sheih suggests finding a reputable dentist who has a wealth of experience with veneers. “It’s your best insurance that your investment will last longer,” he says. 

Be sure to tell your dentist that you have veneers so they can use the best polishing technique during your cleaning.

Lumineers are thinner, so your enamel may not need to be shaved. This has two key advantages: it reduces sensitivity, and it means the restoration can be removed without damaging your teeth. 

They've earned the nickname "no-prep veneers," but dentists on RealSelf say that most people will need some prep.

On the other hand, Lumineers can look bulkier and less natural. They can also be more expensive.

Dental veneers made out of composite resin (a tooth-colored material) have a few advantages over porcelain. For one, they can be applied in a single appointment, where your dentist applies, hardens, and polishes the resin and you walk out with your new smile. Chips or cracks can be repaired. And composite veneers also cost significantly less upfront.

Here's the big downside: they last for only 5 to 7 years, so replacements could end up costing more over time. 

They also tend to look much less natural and aren’t stain-resistant.

Whether you should get dental implants or porcelain veneers depends on the problem you're trying to fix: dental implants replace missing teeth, while veneers improve the look of your existing teeth.

If you have healthy teeth with cosmetic issues such as stains, chips, or gaps, veneers can create a beautiful smile in a short amount of time. 

If you have a larger problem affecting your oral health, like missing or severely damaged teeth, a dental implant will serve as a stable anchor for a dental crown (a permanent false tooth).

Beier US, et al. “Clinical performance of porcelain laminate veneers for up to 20 years.” International Journal of Prosthodontics, Jan 2012.

Morita, RK. et al. “Minimally Invasive Laminate Veneers: Clinical Aspects in Treatment Planning and Cementation Procedures.” Dec. 2016.

Pini N. et al. “Advances in dental veneers: materials, applications, and techniques.” Clinical Cosmetic Investigative Dentistry.” Feb. 2012.