Veneers are thin shells of porcelain designed to cover the front surface of your teeth. As a cornerstone of cosmetic dentistry in Las Vegas, they can be used to treat severely stained teeth, chipped or broken teeth, misaligned or misshapen teeth, or gapped teeth. At Mesa Dental, we offer both traditional prep veneers and no-prep Lumineers, allowing us to customize treatment to your unique smile goals.
You don’t need veneers for every, tooth Depending on your needs, you can get just one or an entire set.
During your consultation, you'll discuss the issues you have with your smile and how you'd like to change it. Your dentist can talk to you about veneers as well as other treatment options. Together, you'll decide if veneers are the right option for you. We take time to listen to your goals and create a personalized plan aligned with our whole-health approach.
Once you've decided to move forward with veneers, your dentist creates a treatment plan aligning with your smile goals and preferences. This plan outlines which teeth are treated, how many veneers you'll need, and if any other cosmetic or restorative treatments are required.
At your next appointment, your teeth are prepared to accommodate your veneers. Your dentist cleans and numbs your mouth, and then removes a very thin layer (0.5mm or less) of enamel from each tooth getting a veneer. This ensures a good hold for the veneer and avoids adding thickness to the treated teeth. For Lumineers, little to no enamel removal may be necessary.
After your teeth are trimmed, you'll have dental impressions and pictures taken of your teeth. These are sent to a dental lab where your permanent veneers are created. You are sent home with a set of temporary resin veneers, which protect your newly-prepared teeth until your permanent veneers are ready.
Once your permanent veneers arrive at our office, you'll see your dentist for your fitting. At this appointment, your dentist checks the fit of your veneers to ensure they look and feel natural. Minor adjustments can be made before placement, if necessary.
Once your dentist has checked the fit of your veneers and everything looks good, they're attached to your teeth permanently using powerful dental cement, and you'll be sent home with a beautiful, brand new smile.
In some cases, tooth staining or discoloration may not be treatable with other cosmetic dentistry methods, like teeth whitening. Severe stains or internal tooth stains, such as tetracycline stains, may persist even after teeth whitening. Veneers can completely cover up the stained tooth and restore its natural, bright appearance.
If your teeth are worn from issues like teeth grinding (bruxism), veneers may be an appropriate treatment to restore their shape and appearance. However, it’s important to also address the root cause of worn teeth. If you suffer from grinding, for example, you may need to get a night guard through our preventive dentistry services to protect your teeth after you get veneers.
Veneers may be used to treat minor chipping or breakage in the teeth, as long as the damage is limited to the outer layers of enamel and dentin. More serious tooth injuries may require the use of a dental crown and root canal therapy. Veneers are also commonly used to treat and restore irregular or misshapen teeth, providing you with a straighter and more even smile.
Minor tooth misalignment and gapping can be resolved with veneers. Your teeth can be trimmed and then covered with veneers to correct these issues and provide you with a more pleasing smile. However, veneers can only be used to treat minor issues with misalignment and tooth gapping. For more serious teeth alignment issues, orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign may be required before cosmetic treatment with veneers.
With proper care, your veneers can last between15 and 20 years.
Porcelain veneers typically cost between $1,000 and $2,500 per tooth without insurance. Most dental insurance plans classify veneers as cosmetic procedures and don’t provide coverage. However, if veneers are deemed medically necessary to restore a damaged or broken tooth from trauma or injury, some insurance plans may cover 20-50% of the cost. At Mesa Dental, we work with most PPO insurance plans and can submit a pre-treatment estimate to help you understand your potential coverage. We also offer flexible payment plans and accept CareCredit to make your treatment more affordable. Contact us to discuss your specific situation and explore all available payment options.
Porcelain veneers are made from high-quality ceramic materials closely mimicking natural tooth enamel in appearance, translucency, and durability. They typically last 15-20 years with proper care and resist staining better than composite options. Composite veneers are made from resin material, cost less ($800-$1,400 per tooth), but generally last only 5-7 years and are more prone to staining and chipping. While porcelain veneers require a thin layer of enamel removal and are permanently bonded to your teeth, composite veneers can sometimes be applied with minimal tooth preparation. We can help you determine which option best suits your smile goals, budget, and long-term dental health needs during your consultation.
Veneers are highly versatile and can address multiple cosmetic concerns in a single treatment. They effectively cover severe tooth discoloration that whitening treatments can’t improve, including tetracycline stains and internal tooth discoloration. Veneers can close minor gaps between teeth, repair small to moderate chips or cracks, reshape irregularly shaped or worn teeth, and even correct the appearance of minor misalignment without orthodontics. However, veneers work best for cosmetic issues affecting the front-facing surfaces of teeth. If you have extensive tooth decay, significant structural damage, or severe misalignment, you may need alternative or additional treatments like crowns, root canals, or Invisalign first. Schedule a consultation at Mesa Dental so we can examine your teeth and create a personalized treatment plan addressing your specific concerns.
With proper care and maintenance, porcelain veneers typically last 15-20 years before needing replacement. The lifespan depends on how well you care for them and your oral habits. To maximize veneer longevity, brush and floss daily, visit Mesa Dental every six months for cleanings and exams, avoid chewing hard objects or using your teeth as tools, and wear a night guard if you grind your teeth. Because a thin layer of enamel is permanently removed during the initial veneer placement, your teeth will always need protection with veneers or another restoration. When veneers eventually wear out, chip, or become discolored, we can replace individual veneers or your entire set. Most patients can keep a set of well-maintained veneers for 15-20 years, making them an excellent long-term investment in your smile.
Yes, traditional porcelain veneers are a permanent dental treatment because the procedure requires removing approximately 0.5mm of enamel from your teeth to ensure a proper fit and avoid adding bulk. The veneer process at Mesa Dental typically requires 2-3 visits over several weeks. During your first appointment, we’ll discuss your smile goals and create a customized treatment plan. At your second visit, we’ll prepare your teeth, take impressions and photos for the dental lab, and provide temporary resin veneers to protect your teeth. Once your permanent veneers arrive (usually 2-3 weeks), you’ll return for your final fitting, where we’ll check the fit, make any minor adjustments, and permanently bond them to your teeth using strong dental cement. Because veneers are permanent and cannot be reversed, it’s important to choose a dentist you trust and fully understand the commitment before proceeding with treatment.
Veneers are a permanent dental treatment that requires the removal of enamel.
