Porcelain veneers are thin ceramic restorations bonded to the front of selected teeth to change their appearance. At LPS Dental, veneer treatment starts with the teeth you already have, not a preset number of veneers or a standard smile template. We consider tooth position, bite, enamel, gumline, facial proportions, and what you actually want to change before deciding whether porcelain veneers are the right approach.
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Porcelain veneers are thin ceramic restorations bonded to the front of selected teeth to change their appearance. At LPS Dental, veneer treatment starts with the teeth you already have, not a preset number of veneers or a standard smile template.
Some teeth are naturally narrow, short, tapered, or shaped differently from their neighbors. A veneer can change the visible proportions of the tooth so it relates more naturally to the rest of the smile.
Some discoloration does not respond predictably to whitening. Porcelain can mask selected areas of deeper or intrinsic discoloration when changing the visible tooth color is one of the treatment goals. We still evaluate whether whitening should be tried first.
Minor chips and worn edges can change the symmetry and length of front teeth. Depending on how much structure is affected, bonding or a porcelain veneer may be used to rebuild the visible portion.
Selected spaces between teeth can sometimes be reduced by carefully changing tooth width with veneers. If the gap is mainly caused by tooth position, orthodontic treatment may provide a more conservative solution.
One tooth may look too short, too narrow, or visually out of balance even when the surrounding teeth are healthy. Porcelain can sometimes be used selectively rather than treating every visible tooth.
Some patients dislike several things at once: color, shape, minor wear, and spacing. Porcelain veneers can address more than one cosmetic issue within the same restoration when the teeth are appropriate candidates.
Comfort, Expertise, And Trust
Patient story from Lincoln Park Smiles
Tell us what you notice. The recommendation comes after we understand the problem.
Treatment should look like your smile, not a one-size-fits-all result.
We evaluate the health of the teeth and gums, existing restorations, tooth position, and bite before treatment.
We explain why something is recommended, what alternatives exist, and what treatment involves before you decide.
How It Works
We start with the smile as you see it. Which teeth bother you? Is it the color, shape, spacing, length, asymmetry, or something you cannot quite describe? That conversation matters before we begin measuring anything.
We evaluate the health and structure of the teeth being considered for veneers. The bite matters because the edges and surfaces of veneers still need to function against the opposing teeth.
This is where we determine whether veneers are appropriate and how many teeth should be involved. Whitening, bonding, orthodontics, gum treatment, or another procedure may sometimes reduce the amount of restorative work needed.
The design considers tooth length, width, symmetry, smile line, neighboring teeth, facial features, and the amount of tooth visible when you speak and smile. Your input remains part of the process.
Traditional porcelain veneers commonly require removal of a limited amount of enamel to create space for the ceramic. The amount varies based on the tooth and the planned change. Once enamel has been intentionally removed for a veneer, that treatment should be considered irreversible.
Digital scans or impressions are used to record the prepared teeth and surrounding structures. Those records guide fabrication of the porcelain restorations. Temporary veneers may be used depending on the treatment plan.
Before the final restorations are secured, we evaluate their fit, proportions, shade, and relationship to the surrounding smile. This is not the time for you to be afraid to say that something looks different from what you expected. Your feedback matters.
Once the restorations are approved, the teeth and ceramic are prepared for bonding. The veneers are secured to the teeth, excess material is removed, and the bite is checked carefully.
Veneers still need regular dental care. The porcelain cannot develop a cavity, but the natural tooth around the restoration still can. The gums also need to remain healthy. We monitor the veneers, margins, bite, and supporting teeth during future dental visits.
Meet The LPS Dental Team
LPS Dental's roots in Chicago go back to 1999, when Dr. Jack Manikowski opened Lincoln Park Smiles.
Today, LPS Dental has three Chicago offices and a team whose experience extends across cosmetic, restorative, implant, periodontal, prosthodontic, and general dentistry.
Treatment planning that considers appearance, tooth structure, function, and long-term health together.
Dr. Jack Manikowski is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
Digital scanning and planning tools help us evaluate and communicate proposed treatment.
It is normal to have questions before treatment. Here are some of the things patients often want to understand first.
Porcelain veneers are thin ceramic restorations bonded to the visible front portion of teeth. They are used to change selected aspects of tooth color, shape, size, proportion, spacing, or surface appearance.
Porcelain veneers are one type of dental veneer. Dental veneers can also be made using other restorative materials or techniques.
Porcelain veneers should be considered an irreversible dental treatment when natural enamel has been removed to place them. The veneer itself is not guaranteed to last forever and may eventually need repair or replacement.
Traditional porcelain veneers commonly require some enamel preparation. How much is removed varies according to tooth position, existing shape, color, restorative material, and the desired result. The objective is to create enough room for the ceramic while preserving as much healthy enamel as practical.
That is not the objective of conventional veneer preparation. Veneers generally require much less tooth reduction than full dental crowns. However, the amount of preparation depends on the individual case. Patients should understand what will be removed before consenting to treatment.
Selected patients may qualify for minimal-prep or no-prep veneers. That approach is not suitable for every tooth because adding porcelain without creating enough space can make some teeth appear bulky.
The main considerations include irreversible tooth preparation when enamel must be removed, cost, the possibility of future repair or replacement, and the fact that veneers can still chip or fracture. They also do not prevent cavities or gum disease around the underlying natural teeth.
There is no standard number. The appropriate number depends on which teeth show when you smile, what you want to change, tooth color, proportions, smile width, and how the treated teeth will transition into natural teeth. Some patients need one or two veneers. Others may benefit from treating several teeth.
You may need veneers across several teeth. You may need only one.
Or you may discover that whitening, bonding, Invisalign, or a no-prep approach can solve the problem with less alteration of your natural teeth. Bring us the things you want to change. We will help you work out which treatment actually belongs there.
