Reviewed by Dr. Adel Elbaz, DDS, general dentist · Last reviewed
Porcelain Veneers in London, Ontario
A veneer is a thin, custom-made shell, usually porcelain, bonded to the front of a tooth. Veneers change the colour, shape and length of front teeth, so they can cover chips, deep stains, worn edges, small gaps and slightly uneven teeth, all at once.
At Lunar Smile Dentistry, Dr. Adel Elbaz plans veneers around your face, your bite and the look you want, and starts with an honest conversation about whether veneers are the right choice, or whether something simpler would do.
What veneers can fix
- Stains that whitening won’t lift, such as grey or brown discolouration from medication or an old injury
- Chipped, cracked or worn front teeth
- Small gaps between front teeth
- Teeth that are too short, uneven or oddly shaped
- Mildly crooked teeth, when you’d rather not straighten them first
- Old, discoloured bonding or fillings on front teeth
Porcelain or composite veneers?
| Porcelain veneers | Composite (bonded) veneers | |
|---|---|---|
| Made | In a dental lab, from a scan of your teeth | Built directly on the tooth, in the chair |
| Visits | Usually 2, about 2–3 weeks apart | Often 1 |
| Look | Very natural; translucent like enamel | Good; can look less lifelike up close |
| Stain resistance | High | Stains more over time |
| Lifespan | Many years with good care | Shorter; may need polishing or touch-ups |
| Tooth shaping | A thin layer of enamel is usually removed | Little or none |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
For a small chip or a single tooth, dental bonding may be all you need. We’ll show you the options side by side.
Is it veneers you need?
Veneers are a big, mostly permanent change, so it’s worth comparing:
- Only stained? Try teeth whitening first. New patients can choose whitening as their free gift.
- Mainly crooked? Invisalign can straighten your own teeth, sometimes followed by a few veneers or bonding.
- Heavily filled or broken? A crown protects the whole tooth; a veneer covers only the front.
Veneers need healthy teeth and gums underneath. If you grind or clench your teeth, we’ll plan for a night guard to protect them.
The veneer process
- Consultation. We talk about what you’d like to change, check your teeth, gums and bite, and take photos and a digital scan.
- Planning and preview. We plan the shape and shade with the lab. Where it helps, we can show you a mock-up so you can see the proposed shape on your own teeth before committing.
- Preparation. With the area frozen, we usually remove a thin layer of enamel (often well under a millimetre) so the veneers sit flush, then scan the teeth. You wear temporary veneers while the lab makes yours.
- Fitting. About two to three weeks later, we check the fit and colour with you, then bond the veneers in place, check your bite and polish.
Living with veneers
- brush twice a day and floss daily, as you would natural teeth
- keep up your regular cleanings; ask your hygienist to use non-abrasive polish
- don’t bite ice, pens or fingernails, or use your teeth to open things
- wear a night guard if you grind, and a sports guard for contact sports
- porcelain resists coffee and wine stains, but the edges and your natural teeth can still stain
Porcelain veneers commonly last many years. If one chips, it can sometimes be repaired; otherwise that veneer is replaced.
Cost and coverage
Veneers placed purely to improve appearance are cosmetic, so insurance and the Canadian Dental Care Plan usually don’t cover them. When a veneer or crown is needed to repair a broken or worn tooth, part of the cost may be covered. Our fees follow the Ontario Dental Association fee guide, and we give you a written estimate for your plan before you decide. See financial arrangements.
Common questions
Do veneers hurt?
The teeth are frozen during preparation, so you shouldn’t feel pain. Teeth can be slightly sensitive to cold for a few days afterwards.
Can veneers be removed?
Porcelain veneers usually need a thin layer of enamel removed, so they’re considered permanent: if a veneer comes off, the tooth will need another veneer or restoration. Composite veneers often need little or no enamel removed.
Will veneers look fake?
Well-planned veneers are shaped and shaded to suit your face, gums and other teeth. We’ll match them to a natural shade unless you ask for brighter; if you want a whiter result, we whiten your other teeth first.
How many veneers do I need?
Anywhere from one to around eight or ten, depending on how many teeth show when you smile and what you want to change. A single veneer can match its neighbours.
Book a cosmetic consultation in London
We’re open six days a week, with evening appointments until 9 pm on weekdays and Saturday hours. Book online or call 226-884-2573. See all cosmetic dentistry options.
Part of our cosmetic dentistry services in London, Ontario. See all dental services.