The image shows a man smiling with his teeth, wearing a blue surgical mask and holding a toothbrush with toothpaste.

Veneers

A confident smile says a lot about you — it affects how you feel, how others perceive you, and how you present yourself every day. Many people arrive at our office hoping to correct small imperfections that chip away at their confidence: stains that resist whitening, minor chips, uneven edges, or gaps that make them avoid photos. Veneers are a versatile cosmetic option that can address those concerns while preserving the look and function of your natural teeth.

Rediscovering Your Smile: When Veneers Make Sense

Veneers are particularly well-suited to patients who want a durable, natural-looking solution for front-tooth imperfections. If discoloration doesn’t respond to whitening, or if a tooth is misshapen, slightly worn, or has small fractures, a thin porcelain facing can restore balance and symmetry. Because veneers cover only the visible front surface of teeth, they can create dramatic aesthetic improvements with minimal alteration of healthy tooth structure.

Not every cosmetic issue requires veneers. Less extensive problems — such as tiny chips or small gaps — may be solved with conservative alternatives, but veneers excel when you want predictable, long-lasting changes to color, shape, and spacing. A careful exam helps determine whether veneers, bonding, or another cosmetic approach will best meet your goals while protecting your oral health.

Beyond appearance, veneers are often chosen for their ability to blend with your existing smile. Modern dental porcelain mimics the subtle translucency and light reflection of natural enamel, producing results that look authentic rather than artificial. When planning treatment, we balance aesthetic priorities with functional considerations so your new smile performs well over time.

How Veneers Are Designed: Materials and Aesthetic Choices

Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin shells crafted to fit over the front surface of teeth. They are custom-made to match the size, contour, and color you and your dentist select together. The porcelain used today is engineered for both appearance and strength, allowing technicians to replicate enamel’s natural depth and sheen while resisting stains more effectively than many composite materials.

Choosing the right shade and shape is a collaborative process. We consider your facial features, skin tone, and smile goals to design veneers that look harmonious with the rest of your teeth. Your dentist will present options and, when appropriate, mock-ups or digital previews so you can visualize the results before fabrication.

In some cases, minimally invasive composite veneers can be placed directly by a dentist in a single visit. When durability and the finest aesthetic outcome are priorities, laboratory-fabricated porcelain veneers are often preferred. Both approaches aim to preserve as much natural tooth as possible while delivering a refined, balanced smile.

The Treatment Journey: What to Expect from Consultation to Bonding

The veneer process begins with a thorough consultation and oral exam. We carefully assess tooth health, bite alignment, and gum condition because any active decay or periodontal disease should be addressed before cosmetic restorations are placed. During this visit, we discuss your smile goals, take photographs, and plan a treatment sequence tailored to your needs.

To prepare a tooth for a veneer, a small amount of enamel is typically smoothed from the surface to create room for the porcelain. This conservative preparation helps the veneer sit flush with surrounding teeth and ensures a secure bond. Impressions or digital scans are then taken to create precise models for the dental laboratory, where skilled technicians craft the custom restorations.

At placement, veneers are tried in for fit and shade, refined as needed, and then bonded to the tooth with a high-strength adhesive. The bond creates a unified restoration that feels natural and resists everyday wear. After placement, your dentist will check your bite and make minor adjustments to ensure comfort and longevity.

Maintaining Veneers: Practical Care for Long-Lasting Results

Once veneers are in place, maintaining them is straightforward. Daily brushing with a non-abrasive toothpaste, regular flossing, and routine dental visits keep veneers and surrounding teeth healthy. Porcelain resists staining, but maintaining good oral hygiene helps preserve the original shade and prevents gum inflammation that can affect the appearance of the margins.

Avoiding hard habits will also protect your veneers. Activities such as chewing ice, opening packages with your teeth, or using teeth as tools can place undue stress on any restoration. If you grind or clench at night, a custom night guard can protect your veneers and natural teeth from excessive forces.

With appropriate care and regular professional attention, veneers can provide many years of reliable service. Periodic evaluations allow your dentist to monitor the condition of the restorations and the health of the supporting teeth so any needed maintenance is handled promptly and conservatively.

Finding the Right Match: Personalizing Your Veneer Treatment

Personalization is at the heart of successful cosmetic dentistry. A veneer that looks beautiful on one person may appear out of place on another. That’s why we develop a plan that considers your facial proportions, lip line, and how much tooth shows when you smile or speak. Subtle adjustments to length, translucency, and contour make the difference between a pretty smile and one that truly suits you.

We also factor in functional aspects — how your bite distributes forces and how your lips and cheeks interact with the teeth — so that the final restorations feel comfortable and natural. When necessary, minor orthodontic corrections or enamel reshaping may be combined with veneers for an optimal outcome that preserves oral health and improves aesthetics.

Our team places a high priority on clear communication throughout the process. We’ll review what to expect at each appointment, show you mock-ups when available, and make sure you’re satisfied with the proposed design before any permanent work begins. That collaborative approach helps deliver results that meet both your appearance goals and long-term dental needs.

Veneers can be a transformative step toward the smile you’ve wanted — blending cosmetic refinement with conservative dentistry. If you’d like to learn whether veneers are right for you, our team at Value Dental Center can evaluate your smile and outline suitable options. Contact us for more information and to discuss the best path forward for your dental goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I need a veneer or a crown?

+

Determining if a veneer is suitable or a full-coverage crown is required depends on the extent of the tooth's defects and the remaining amount of healthy tooth structure. For teeth with imperfections that cannot be remedied with a teeth whitening procedure, dental veneers often provide the desired cosmetic improvements. However, a significantly undersized, misshapen, chipped, or darkly stained tooth usually requires a full coverage crown.

Do veneers look natural?

+

Porcelain veneers are fabricated from the highest grade of dental ceramics, which reflect light in much the same way as the enamel of natural teeth. In addition to this feature, dental porcelain is resistant to stains and discolorations, keeping your smile white and vibrant for years to come.

How long do dental veneers last?

+

Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin customized facings that become strong and durable once bonded to the underlying teeth. With proper hygiene and routine dental care, veneers provide a cosmetic solution that not only looks and feels completely natural but is also long lasting.

However, just as harmful oral habits can affect your natural teeth, they can also cause damage to your veneers. To prevent chipping, cracking, or dislodging a veneer, avoid nail biting, chewing on hard candies, ice, pens, or pencils, and opening bottles or other objects with your teeth. Also, remember to protect your smile on the playing field by wearing a properly fitted sports mouthguard.

Tooth grinding or bruxism is another important consideration in care. If you clench or grind your teeth, you may need to wear a night guard to help protect your new smile or discuss other options with our office.

How many veneers will I need?

+

As versatile as they are beautiful, dental veneers can be applied to a single tooth in need of cosmetic improvement or multiple front teeth to dramatically improve the look of your smile. Whatever the case may be, dental veneers provide highly satisfying results to create a smile; you'll feel confident sharing with the world.

Can veneers address more than one cosmetic problem?

+

Among the many benefits offered by dental veneers is their ability to mask a range of imperfections at once. In addition to covering stains or discolorations on the front surface of a tooth, the size and shape of a veneer can also be customize to improve the tooth's contours and dimensions. At the same time veneers create a whiter and more vibrant smile; they can also lengthen or widen a tooth, close minor gaps, and address other minor alignment issues.

Are there different types of veneers?

+

The two most common types of veneers are porcelain veneers, also known as porcelain laminates, and composite veneers. Although porcelain veneers are the most commonly offered option in care, composite veneers fabricated directly on the tooth can also achieve excellent results. You may have also heard the term no-prep veneer. It refers to a type of porcelain veneer that requires little to no preparation of the underlying dental enamel. At your consultation visit, we'll discuss your best options in care.

With dental veneers, can I clean my teeth as before?

+

Once they're in place, your veneers are also easy to care for and maintain. Simply by brushing, flossing, and visiting our office for periodic checkups, you can successfully protect and preserve your new and beautiful smile.

How much do dental veneers cost?

+

Although certain procedures that are considered cosmetic may not be covered by dental insurance, veneers remain a worthwhile investment in your smile. Based on the unique considerations of each case, we develop treatment plans that consider specific dental needs, cosmetic goals, and budget. Our experienced and friendly office staff can address all your insurance questions and review various payment and financing options.

Why choose the office of Value Dental Center?

+

At the office of Value Dental Center, we value patient input and pay close attention to your treatment goals, concerns, and expectations in care. When it comes to cosmetic dentistry, we recognize that every smile is unique and never take a “one size fits all” approach to care. We utilize the most advanced diagnostic technology and treatment methods to assess your smile and to design your porcelain veneers for a precise fit and optimal aesthetics.

As experienced providers of care, we provide highly personalized treatment, combining state-of-the-art technology with an artistic touch to produce long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing results of care.

What are dental veneers and how do they work?

+

Dental veneers are ultra-thin facings bonded to the front surfaces of teeth to improve their appearance and shape. They conceal stains, chips, irregular contours, small gaps and minor alignment issues while preserving most of the natural tooth structure. Veneers recreate the light-reflecting properties of enamel and provide a long-lasting aesthetic solution when properly maintained.

Most veneers are made from high-quality dental porcelain or advanced composite materials and are customized to match tooth size, shape and shade. At Value Dental Center, clinicians combine diagnostic planning with skilled bonding techniques to ensure veneers fit precisely and look natural. The result is an enhanced smile that integrates with surrounding teeth and oral function.

Am I a good candidate for veneers?

+

Good candidates for veneers have generally healthy teeth and gums, with cosmetic concerns such as discoloration, chips, uneven edges or small gaps. A thorough evaluation verifies that there is sufficient enamel for bonding and that any active decay or periodontal disease is treated before veneer placement. Patients with severe bite problems or extensive tooth damage may require alternative restorative approaches.

During a consultation the dentist reviews your oral health, discusses aesthetic goals and recommends the most appropriate materials and preparation level for your case. The decision to proceed is individualized and based on functional needs, smile goals and long-term tooth preservation. Clear communication about expectations helps ensure predictable, satisfying results.

What materials are veneers made from and what are the differences?

+

The two primary veneer materials are dental porcelain and composite resin, each with distinct advantages. Porcelain veneers are prized for their durability, translucency and stain resistance, which makes them excellent for lifelike aesthetics, while composite veneers can be completed more quickly and may require less tooth removal. Material choice depends on the extent of correction, aesthetic demands and the desired longevity of the restoration.

Porcelain is fabricated in a dental laboratory to precise specifications, offering superior optical properties and strength when bonded correctly. Composite veneers are typically built directly on the tooth or in a lab using tooth-colored resins and can be repaired more easily chairside. Your dentist will explain which material best aligns with your smile goals and oral condition.

How long does the veneers process take from consultation to placement?

+

The complete veneers process typically occurs over two to four visits, beginning with a consultation that includes a clinical exam, digital imaging and shade selection. If any preparatory treatment is needed, such as addressing decay or gum issues, that work is completed first to create a healthy foundation for the veneers. Tooth preparation, impressions and fabrication steps follow, with temporary facings placed when laboratory fabrication is required.

Laboratory times vary, so final delivery is scheduled once the permanent veneers return and the dentist verifies fit, shade and contour. The bonding appointment includes final adjustments, surface cleaning and adhesive placement to secure each veneer. At Value Dental Center, the team emphasizes meticulous planning to streamline the process and optimize both function and aesthetics.

What should I expect during tooth preparation and placement?

+

Tooth preparation for veneers is conservative and involves removing a minimal amount of enamel from the front and sides to create space for the ultra-thin facing. Local anesthesia is typically used to maintain comfort during preparation and impression taking, and temporary veneers protect prepared teeth while the laboratory fabricates the final restorations. Accurate impressions, digital scans or photographs guide the lab in reproducing the desired shape and shade.

At the placement visit the dentist checks fit, makes minor refinements and then bonds the veneers using proven adhesive protocols to achieve a strong, durable union. Final polishing and occlusal checks ensure the veneers feel natural and do not interfere with your bite. Post-placement instructions cover care, sensitivity management and what to expect in the first days after bonding.

How should I care for veneers to maximize their lifespan?

+

Maintaining veneers involves routine oral hygiene practices such as brushing twice daily with a nonabrasive fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily and attending regular dental checkups and professional cleanings. Good home care prevents decay at the margins and helps preserve gum health around the restorations. Avoiding excessively abrasive toothpaste or aggressive brushing helps protect the veneer surface and the underlying enamel.

While porcelain resists staining, minimizing heavy consumption of staining agents like tobacco, coffee and red wine can help maintain appearance over time. Wear a night guard if you clench or grind to reduce the risk of chipping, and avoid using teeth as tools or biting hard objects. Regular professional evaluations let the dental team monitor veneer integrity and address minor issues early.

Can veneers be repaired or replaced if they chip or discolor?

+

Minor chips or surface defects in composite veneers can often be repaired directly with additional resin, while porcelain veneers typically require replacement when damaged because repairs are less predictable. Staining on porcelain is uncommon but can sometimes affect the cement margins; professional polishing or targeted repair may restore appearance in select cases. The treatment choice depends on the material, extent of damage and the location of the affected veneer.

If a veneer fails or needs replacement, the dentist evaluates the tooth and surrounding structures to determine whether a new veneer or an alternative restoration is appropriate. Timely assessment helps prevent further damage to the underlying tooth and ensures the replacement meets current aesthetic and functional needs. Preservation of natural tooth structure remains the guiding principle in any repair or replacement plan.

How do veneers compare with other cosmetic dentistry options?

+

Veneers offer a highly aesthetic and conservative option compared with full crowns, which require more substantial tooth reduction to restore form and function. Cosmetic bonding is less invasive and can address small chips or discoloration but may not match the durability, translucency and stain resistance of porcelain veneers. Orthodontic treatments like clear aligners correct alignment issues that veneers cannot resolve safely without excessive tooth alteration.

A comprehensive smile evaluation identifies whether veneers, bonding, whitening, orthodontics or a combination of treatments will best achieve your goals. Often a multi-disciplinary approach yields the most natural, long-term outcome by addressing both alignment and surface-level concerns. Your dentist will explain the trade-offs for each option so you can make an informed decision based on function, aesthetics and tooth preservation.

Will veneers look natural and match my other teeth?

+

When veneers are planned and fabricated with attention to shade, translucency and surface texture, they blend seamlessly with adjacent teeth and produce a natural appearance. Dental laboratories use layered porcelain techniques to mimic enamel depth and subtle light transmission, while dentists select and customize shades to harmonize with your smile. Try-in appointments allow you and your dentist to preview color and contour before final bonding.

Natural-looking results depend on comprehensive planning that considers facial features, lip line and tooth proportions rather than matching a single shade. The dental team evaluates factors such as tooth position, skin tone and smile dynamics to design veneers that enhance your overall appearance. Careful finishing and polishing further refine the look so the restorations read as natural teeth in everyday conditions.

What are the potential risks or side effects of getting veneers?

+

The most common side effects include temporary tooth sensitivity after preparation and the possibility of future dental work if underlying decay or trauma occurs. Because veneers require bonding to enamel, irreversible removal of a small amount of tooth structure is part of the process and should be considered when evaluating long-term treatment plans. In rare cases, veneers may debond, chip or exhibit marginal discoloration, all of which can be addressed by your dentist through repair or replacement strategies.

A thorough exam before treatment and appropriate case selection minimize risks and improve the likelihood of a successful outcome. Your dentist will review medical and dental history, evaluate occlusion and discuss postoperative expectations so you understand benefits and limitations. Ongoing preventive care and timely follow-up appointments help reduce complications and preserve both veneer and tooth health.

Walk In or Book Ahead—Your Choice

Need care today? Stop by inside Walmart or schedule in advance for added convenience. We accept Medicaid, PPOs, and offer flexible financing options.

Conveniently Located Inside Walmart

Grab groceries and get your oral health checked—no need for multiple stops. Park easily, walk in, and receive complete dental care under one roof. Be sure to also check out our 4 sister locations in both IN and IL. Click here to learn more.

Office Hours

Monday
Closed
Tuesday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Saturday
8:00 am - 1:00 pm
(Twice/Month)
Sunday
Closed