Dental Veneers in Scarborough

The cost depends mostly on how many teeth you're treating and the material used, such as porcelain. Veneers cost more per tooth than bonding, but porcelain lasts longer and resists staining, a trade-off, not just price. Veneers are cosmetic and usually not covered by insurance or CDCP. We'll tell you and give an exact written quote after your consultation.

Veneers do not ruin your teeth, but preparing a tooth for a porcelain veneer removes a thin layer of enamel, and that part cannot be undone. Once prepared, the tooth will always need a veneer or crown to cover it. This is why we plan so carefully and discuss alternatives like bonding first. When done well and cared for, veneers protect the look of your smile for years.

With good care, quality porcelain veneers can last many years, often a decade or more. How long they last depends on your habits: avoiding biting hard objects, wearing a night guard if you grind your teeth, and keeping up with cleaning and checkups all help. Veneers can chip or come loose over time and may eventually need replacing, but careful use greatly extends their life.

It depends on your goal. If colour is your only concern, whitening may be enough and is far less involved. For a minor chip or a single tooth, bonding can give a similar look with less commitment and lower cost. Veneers are best when you want to change the shape, colour, and alignment of several front teeth at once. We will recommend the right tool for what you actually want to change.

Preparing teeth for veneers is done under local anaesthetic, so you should not feel pain during the appointment. Some people notice mild sensitivity afterward, especially to hot and cold, while wearing temporaries, and this usually settles once the final veneers are bonded. If you are anxious about the procedure, tell us and we will talk through ways to keep you comfortable throughout.

Porcelain resists staining better than natural enamel, so veneers tend to keep their colour well. The edges where a veneer meets your natural tooth can pick up some staining over the years, and heavy coffee, tea, red wine, or smoking can affect the surrounding teeth. Good daily cleaning and regular hygiene visits keep everything looking consistent. Whitening will not change a veneer's colour once it is made.

That depends on how many teeth show when you smile and what you want to change. Some people improve just one or two teeth, while others treat the front six or more so the colour and shape are consistent across the smile. During your consultation and trial smile we plan how many teeth to include to get a balanced, natural-looking result rather than a mismatched one.

A trial smile is a preview of your proposed veneers, often created as a temporary mock-up over your teeth or as a digital design, so you can see the shape and proportions before anything permanent happens. It lets you and us fine-tune the look together and make sure you are happy with the plan. Because veneer preparation is irreversible, this preview step is an important part of getting the result right.

Grinding puts extra force on veneers and can chip or loosen them, so we address it before and after treatment. If you grind, we usually recommend wearing a custom night guard to protect your veneers while you sleep. We will check for signs of grinding at your consultation and factor it into the plan, since protecting your investment is part of doing the job properly.

Well-made porcelain veneers should look like natural teeth, not obvious white caps. Porcelain handles light much like real enamel, and we plan the shape and shade to suit your face and your other teeth. A natural result comes from careful planning, which is why we take time over the design and often use a trial smile. If you want a brighter look, we plan the shade deliberately rather than by accident.

If a veneer chips or comes loose, keep any pieces, avoid chewing on that side, and call us so we can check it. Depending on the situation, a veneer can sometimes be repaired or re-bonded, or it may need replacing. Because the tooth underneath has been prepared, it should not be left uncovered for long. We are open seven days a week, so a repair visit is easy to arrange.

Usually not. Because veneers are a cosmetic treatment, most dental plans and the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) do not cover them. We are upfront about this so you can plan your budget realistically. If part of your treatment involves restoring a damaged tooth rather than pure cosmetics, some of it may be claimable, and our team will help you understand what applies to your situation.