Cosmetic Dentistry
Porcelain Veneers
Veneers are thin custom-made porcelain shells bonded to the front of your teeth. They're how the smiles you see on TV are built — used to correct chips, gaps, discolouration, slightly crooked teeth, or just to upgrade an otherwise healthy smile.
Why it matters
Benefits
- Dramatic smile transformation in just a few appointments.
- Custom-matched to the shape and shade you want — not a one-size-fits-all set.
- Stain-resistant porcelain that holds its colour for decades.
- More conservative than crowns — only a thin outer layer of enamel is shaped.
- Looks natural up close — no chalky 'fake' appearance with modern materials.
What to expect
The process
- 01
Smile consultation
We talk through what you'd like to change — shape, colour, length, alignment — and discuss whether veneers, whitening, or another option is the right answer.
- 02
Design and preview
We design your future smile digitally and, in many cases, mock it up on your teeth so you can see and feel it before committing.
- 03
Tooth preparation
A very thin layer of the front of each tooth is shaped to make room for the veneer. For some 'no-prep' cases, we can skip this step entirely.
- 04
Temporary veneers
You wear temporaries for about 2 weeks while the lab crafts your final porcelain veneers. This is also when you get to test-drive the new smile.
- 05
Final fitting
The final veneers are bonded in place. We check shape, colour, and bite before you walk out. Most people are surprised at how natural the result feels.
What veneers can fix
Veneers are versatile because they let us reshape the visible surface of a tooth without involving the rest of it. They’re commonly used for:
- Discoloured teeth that don’t respond to whitening (from medications, root-canal treatment, or internal stains).
- Chipped or broken teeth where bonding alone isn’t enough.
- Small gaps between front teeth.
- Misshapen or worn teeth.
- Slightly crooked teeth when full orthodontics isn’t desired.
- Comprehensive smile design — most “Hollywood smile” transformations use veneers.
Veneers vs. crowns
Both cover the front of a tooth, but they’re different tools:
- A veneer covers only the front surface. It’s used when the tooth underneath is mostly healthy.
- A crown covers the entire tooth. It’s used when the tooth has decay, a large filling, or is structurally compromised.
We always pick the less invasive option that achieves the result. That’s usually a veneer if the tooth is healthy.
The honest version
Veneers are a significant decision. Some clinics push them as the answer to every cosmetic concern — we don’t. If whitening + a small bit of bonding can give you the result you want for one-tenth the cost, that’s what we’ll recommend. Veneers shine when the result needs reshaping that whitening alone can’t achieve.
Book a smile consultation or call 403-271-2221 — we’ll show you what’s actually possible for your teeth.
FAQ
Questions we hear most often
- How much do veneers cost in Calgary?
- Veneers are priced per tooth and vary by material (porcelain vs. composite) and complexity. A complete set of 6–10 veneers across the front teeth is a meaningful investment — we provide a complete written quote at your consultation. Many patients are surprised that financing makes it more accessible than they expected.
- How long do veneers last?
- Porcelain veneers commonly last 15–20+ years with proper care. They don't decay (porcelain doesn't), but the tooth underneath can — so cavities along the edge are the most common reason an old veneer eventually needs replacement.
- Are veneers permanent?
- Effectively yes. Because we shape a thin layer of your enamel to fit the veneer, removing them later isn't realistic — you'd need a new veneer or a crown. We make sure you're confident in the decision before starting.
- Veneers vs. whitening — which should I do?
- If your teeth are healthy and well-shaped but just stained or yellowed, whitening is usually the right call (and is far less invasive and less expensive). Veneers are for when you also want to change shape, size, gaps, or correct chips — things whitening can't address.
- Do veneers look fake?
- Done well, no. The old 'piano-key' veneer look came from over-bright shades, uniform shapes, and lower-quality materials. Modern porcelain is layered to mimic natural tooth translucency, and we deliberately design slight imperfections so your smile doesn't look manufactured.
- How many veneers do I need?
- Most patients do 6–10 across the front teeth — these are the teeth that show when you smile. Fewer can work if you're correcting a specific issue. We discuss the smallest number that achieves the result you want.
Ready to talk it through?
Book a consultation.
We'll listen first, then build a plan around your goals and comfort.