Cosmetic Dentistry

Porcelain Veneers

Professional Porcelain Veneers

What You Need to Know

What it is: Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-crafted shells bonded to the front of your teeth. They cover imperfections like chips, gaps, stains, and misshapen teeth while looking completely natural and beautiful.

Typical appointment time: 2-3 visits over 2-3 weeks (preparation, temporary placement, final bonding)

Recovery/Results timeline: 1-2 weeks adjustment period; can enjoy results immediately

Best for:
  • • Chipped or cracked teeth
  • • Gaps between teeth
  • • Severe stains that won't respond to whitening
  • • Slightly misaligned or oddly-shaped teeth
  • • Desire for a complete smile transformation

Understanding Porcelain Veneers

How Veneers Can Create Your Perfect Smile

You're tired of hiding your smile. Maybe you've been covering your mouth in photos for years because of a chipped tooth from an old accident. Or perhaps multiple imperfections—gaps, stains that won't whiten, slightly crooked teeth—have made you self-conscious. You've resigned yourself to settling for your smile. But what if you didn't have to? For many Nashville patients, porcelain veneers make the transformation they've always wanted a reality. Unlike orthodontics that slowly shift teeth or whitening that can't address chips and gaps, veneers offer a comprehensive solution that combines all the improvements you want—brightness, shape, spacing, symmetry—into a smile that looks unmistakably natural and distinctly yours.

Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin shells, typically just 0.5mm thick, that are carefully bonded to the front surface of your teeth. Think of them like custom-fitted porcelain jewelry for your smile. Unlike crowns that require significant tooth reduction and grind down your natural structure, veneers are minimally invasive—we remove only a tiny amount of enamel to accommodate the veneer thickness. This conservative approach preserves more of your natural tooth structure while completely transforming your smile's appearance. Each veneer is individually hand-crafted from premium dental porcelain, matched precisely to your desired shade, and shaped to complement your unique facial features and the natural contours of your remaining teeth.

The result is a smile that looks completely natural—yet noticeably more beautiful. Porcelain veneers are stain-resistant, durable for 10-15 years or longer, and incredibly lifelike because they mimic the translucency and light-reflecting properties of natural tooth enamel. Whether you want to cover a single imperfection or redesign your entire visible smile, veneers deliver results that often exceed what patients thought possible. Perhaps most importantly, patients consistently report that finally having the smile they always wanted transforms how they feel—boosting their confidence in professional meetings, social situations, and personal relationships. That confidence shift often becomes the most valuable outcome of all.

The Benefits

Why Patients Choose Porcelain Veneers

1

Natural, Lifelike Appearance

Porcelain veneers are crafted to match your natural tooth color, translucency, and texture so perfectly that most people won't even know you have veneers. They catch light the same way natural teeth do, creating a smile that looks authentically beautiful.

2

Stain-Resistant Surface

Premium porcelain is highly resistant to staining from coffee, wine, tobacco, and other substances. Your veneers will maintain their bright, beautiful appearance for years without the yellowing that can affect natural teeth.

3

Durable and Long-Lasting

With proper care, porcelain veneers typically last 10-15 years or longer. They're incredibly strong despite their thinness, and many patients enjoy their veneers for 20+ years. When they do need replacement, the process is straightforward.

4

Minimally Invasive

Unlike crowns, veneers require minimal tooth reduction—we remove only a thin layer of enamel to accommodate the veneer. This conservative approach preserves maximum tooth structure and avoids unnecessary drilling.

5

Transformative Results

Whether covering a single imperfection or redesigning your entire smile, veneers deliver dramatic transformation. You can completely change the shape, size, spacing, and color of your visible teeth in just a few appointments.

6

Customizable Design

Each veneer is individually designed and created to achieve your specific smile goals. We use digital smile design technology so you can preview your results before treatment begins, ensuring you're thrilled with your new smile.

Your Veneer Journey

What to Expect from Consultation to Results

Before Your Appointment

  • Consider your smile goals and what you'd like to change about your teeth appearance

  • Review before-and-after photos from our veneer cases to understand possible results

  • Plan your veneer treatment around important events if you're having temporaries placed

During Your Visit

1
Smile Design Consultation

You'll sit down with our dentist to discuss your specific smile goals—what bothers you most and what you'd like to change. We examine your teeth, bite, and facial features to understand how veneers will work with your unique features. Then comes the magic: we use advanced digital imaging to show you exactly what your new smile will look like—you'll see detailed mockups on screen before any preparation begins. This lets you approve the design and make adjustments if you want anything changed. Many patients tell us this visualization step alone gives them confidence they're making the right choice.

2
Tooth Preparation

We carefully remove a minimal amount of enamel—just approximately 0.5mm—from the front and sides of your teeth to create space for the veneer thickness. You'll feel gentle vibration and pressure, but the local anesthetic ensures you experience no pain. Because we remove so little tooth structure, your teeth stay healthy and strong underneath. The whole process is conservative—we're not grinding your teeth down like with a crown.

3
Precise Shade and Shape Selection

Now we select the exact shade of porcelain and customize the veneer shape to perfectly complement your skin tone, face shape, and the smile appearance you approved in your digital mockup. Each veneer is individually tailored to your specifications—this is what creates that natural, 'these look like my real teeth' result rather than a cookie-cutter smile.

4
Temporary Veneer Placement

While your custom veneers are being meticulously crafted in our lab over the next 1-2 weeks, we place temporary veneers to protect your prepared teeth. You leave our office with a beautiful smile already—the temporaries look great, feel natural, and let you live with your new smile design before we finalize it. Many patients use this time to get comfortable with their new appearance and gather feedback from friends and family. You can even adjust your design preferences if you want changes made to the permanent veneers.

5
Lab Fabrication (1-2 weeks)

Behind the scenes, our premium dental laboratory uses state-of-the-art technology and hand-crafting to create your veneers. Our master technicians hand-layer the porcelain to achieve the perfect color gradations, translucency, and natural appearance—treating each veneer as a work of art. While you're enjoying your temporary veneers, we're ensuring your permanent ones will be flawless.

6
Final Veneer Bonding

You return for the moment you've been waiting for. We carefully remove the temporary veneers and place your permanent porcelain veneers so you can see exactly how they look. You approve the fit and appearance—and if anything needs adjustment, we make it before bonding. Then we permanently bond them using advanced adhesive technology that creates an incredibly strong, lasting bond. You'll walk out with your dream smile ready to go.

After Treatment

  • Adjust to your new bite over the first 1-2 weeks—your mouth adapts quickly to the new tooth contours

  • Practice excellent oral hygiene: brush twice daily and floss daily to maintain gum health around veneers

  • Avoid chewing hard objects like ice, hard candy, or pen caps to protect your veneers from damage

  • Continue regular dental cleanings every 6 months to keep your veneers and surrounding teeth healthy

  • Consider touch-ups or replacements every 10-15 years as part of long-term maintenance

Is Veneer Treatment Right for You?

Good Candidates for Porcelain Veneers

You may be a good candidate if:

  • Adults with healthy teeth and gums who want to improve their smile appearance

  • People with chipped, cracked, or broken teeth affecting their smile

  • Individuals with gaps between teeth or misaligned teeth

  • Those with severe stains that don't respond to professional whitening

  • Patients wanting to change tooth size, shape, or spacing for cosmetic improvement

  • Anyone seeking a dramatic smile transformation with natural-looking results

Other options may be better if:

  • Severe bite problems or significant misalignment may be better addressed with orthodontics before or instead of veneers

  • Patients with major decay or internal tooth damage might benefit more from crowns or other restorative options

  • Those with severely compromised gum health should address periodontal issues before veneer placement

Not sure if veneers are right for you? That's completely normal—the best way to know is to discuss your specific situation with our experienced Nashville dentist. During your consultation, we'll examine your teeth, listen to your goals, and help you understand all your options. If veneers aren't the ideal solution for you, we'll recommend the treatment that is. Our goal is to help you achieve the smile you want in the way that works best for your unique situation. Schedule your consultation today to start the conversation.

Your Questions Answered

Common Questions About Porcelain Veneers

How much do porcelain veneers cost in Nashville?

Porcelain veneers at Nations Dental Studio typically cost $800-$2,500 per tooth depending on complexity and the number of veneers needed. Most patients have 2-8 veneers placed on their front teeth to create a complete smile transformation, with costs ranging from $1,600-$20,000 for a full smile makeover. Our team will provide a detailed quote based on your specific smile design. While veneers represent a significant investment, their durability and transformative results make them worthwhile for many patients. We can discuss financing options and payment plans.

Are veneers reversible?

Veneers are not completely reversible since we remove a small amount of enamel during preparation. However, your teeth can function normally without veneers if they're removed. That said, most patients are so satisfied with their veneers that reversibility isn't a concern. When veneers need replacement, we simply place new ones on the prepared teeth. The initial preparation is permanent, so veneers are best considered a long-term commitment.

How long do porcelain veneers last?

Quality porcelain veneers typically last 10-15 years with proper care, though many patients enjoy their veneers for 20+ years. The veneer lifespan depends on the quality of the porcelain used, the bonding technique, your oral hygiene habits, and how gently you treat them. When veneers do eventually need replacement, the process is relatively straightforward. With excellent care including regular brushing, flossing, and avoiding hard-biting habits, you can maximize your veneer longevity.

Will veneers hurt or be uncomfortable?

The veneer process is painless. We use a local anesthetic during tooth preparation so you won't feel pain—only gentle pressure and vibration. You may experience some sensitivity to temperature for a few days after placement, but this resolves quickly. Many patients report that the temporary veneers they wear between appointments are so comfortable and natural-looking that they forget they're not permanent. Overall, veneer treatment is one of the least uncomfortable cosmetic procedures.

Do veneers require special care or maintenance?

Veneers require only normal dental care: brush twice daily with a non-abrasive toothpaste, floss daily, and visit us for professional cleanings every 6 months. Avoid using your teeth as tools and be cautious about chewing hard objects like ice, hard candy, or pens. While veneers are very durable, gentle treatment ensures they last as long as possible. Special mouthwashes or specific products aren't needed—regular oral hygiene is sufficient.

Can veneers stain or discolor?

Porcelain veneers are highly stain-resistant and won't discolor the way natural teeth can. The smooth, non-porous porcelain surface resists staining from coffee, wine, tobacco, and other substances. However, the margins where the veneer meets your natural tooth can potentially stain if not maintained properly. Excellent oral hygiene and regular professional cleanings help keep veneers looking bright and beautiful indefinitely.

Will my bite feel different with veneers?

Your bite may feel slightly different for the first 1-2 weeks after veneer placement as your mouth adjusts to the new tooth contours. This adjustment period is normal and brief—most patients adapt completely within days to weeks. We carefully shape veneers to maintain proper bite function, and any significant bite issues are addressed during placement. If adjustment concerns persist beyond two weeks, contact us for a quick refinement.

Can veneers fix crooked teeth?

Veneers can improve the appearance of mild crowding or misalignment by covering the teeth with properly shaped porcelain shells. However, they don't actually straighten teeth—they create the illusion of straighter teeth. Significant crowding or bite problems are better addressed with orthodontics (like Invisalign). During your consultation, we'll advise whether veneers are appropriate for your specific alignment concerns or if orthodontics would be more beneficial.

Ready for Your Dream Smile?

Schedule Your Porcelain Veneer Consultation

Transform your smile with custom-designed porcelain veneers at Nations Dental Studio. Our experienced Nashville team will use digital smile design technology to show you exactly what your new smile will look like before we begin treatment. You'll experience a dramatic, natural-looking transformation that lasts 10-15 years or longer. Schedule your consultation today and discover how veneers can give you the confident, beautiful smile you've always wanted.

Reviews

We have worked with thousands of amazing patients

Nations Dental Studio has over 448 reviews and a 5.0 rating on Google

★★★★★

"first time coming here today and all of the girls were absolutely AMAZING! 10000/10 recommend"

Mckenzie H.
★★★★★

"Beautiful office and incredibly friendly staff. Dr. D'Aoust is awesome and never makes you feel rushed. She doesn't suggest anything unnecessary and explains the treatments thoroughly. Highly recommend."

Jody S.
★★★★★

"Best dental experience I've ever had! I've never left feeling better after a teeth cleaning. As a new patient, I feel completely comfortable and actually excited to return!"

Kate E.

Contact us

Ready to schedule your appointment?

Nations Dental Studio

Address

4900 Centennial Blvd., Suite 104

Nashville, TN 37209

Directions

Phone

615-933-5800