Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made shells bonded to the front of your teeth. They can cover stains that whitening can’t lift, reshape chipped or worn edges, close small gaps and even out teeth that are slightly uneven. At Diamond Dental, Dr. Barry Diamond plans every veneer case from a 3D iTero scan instead of messy impressions, so the fit is precise from the first try-in.
Every veneer consultation starts with an honest answer to one question: are veneers the best way to get the smile you want, or would something simpler do the job?
Call (216) 206-8075 or book a veneer consultation online.
A veneer is a thin layer of dental porcelain, roughly the thickness of a fingernail, that is bonded permanently to the front surface of a tooth. Because porcelain reflects light much like natural enamel, a well-made veneer is difficult to tell apart from a natural tooth.
Veneers change what you see when you smile: color, shape, length and the spacing between teeth. They don’t move teeth, fix a bite or treat decay or gum disease. Those problems are treated first, and sometimes they change the plan.
Veneers can be placed on a single tooth to match its neighbors, or on the six to ten teeth that show when you smile for a full smile makeover. How many you need depends on how wide your smile is and what you want to change.
Yes, and you should. Veneers are permanent, so the design should be agreed before any tooth is changed.
Your planning visit includes an iTero Element 5D scan, a quick, accurate 3D model of your teeth taken with a small wand instead of impression putty. Dr. Diamond uses it to plan the shape and proportions of your veneers and review them with you before treatment.
Veneers are a good fit when the problem is on the surface of healthy teeth. They’re usually a strong option if you have:
Dr. Diamond will examine your enamel, bite, gums and existing restorations and tell you plainly if a more conservative option would get you the result you want.
For a traditional porcelain veneer, a very thin layer of enamel is removed from the front of the tooth, usually a fraction of a millimeter, so the veneer sits flush and looks natural rather than bulky. Because enamel doesn’t grow back, veneers are considered a permanent treatment. If a veneer is ever replaced, it is replaced with another veneer.
Preparation is done under local anesthetic, so the tooth is numb while it is shaped.
Porcelain veneers usually take two or three visits over a few weeks. Most of that time is the dental lab making your veneers by hand after your teeth are prepared.
We talk about what you'd like to change, examine your teeth and gums, take photos and an iTero 3D scan, and discuss whether veneers or an alternative fits best. You'll get a written plan and fee before you decide.
Dr. Diamond uses your scan to plan the shape and proportions of your veneers and reviews them with you before treatment.
The teeth are numbed, lightly reshaped and scanned again for the lab.
The veneers are bonded in place and the bite is checked.
A short check to review the bite and gums and answer questions about care.
Some mild temperature sensitivity for a few days after preparation or bonding is normal.
Patients visit us for veneers from Beachwood, Lyndhurst, South Euclid, Pepper Pike, Orange Village and Chagrin Falls.
Questions about veneers? Call (216) 206-8075
Porcelain veneers are handmade by a dental lab from your 3D scan and usually take two or more visits. They resist stains, typically last around 10 to 15 years (often longer with good care), and need a thin layer of enamel removed. If one chips, it is usually replaced.
Composite (resin) veneers are sculpted directly on the tooth, often in a single visit, with little or no enamel removed. They cost less per tooth, but they last around 5 to 7 years and can pick up stains over time. A chip can often be repaired in one visit.
Porcelain gives the most natural, longest-lasting result. Composite can be a good choice for a small repair, a younger patient, or when you’d like to keep the option to change your mind.
Veneers aren’t the only way to improve a smile, and sometimes they aren’t the best one. If your teeth are yellowed but healthy, teeth whitening removes no enamel and costs much less. A single small chip or gap can often be fixed with cosmetic bonding: tooth-colored resin placed in one visit, with little or no drilling. Crooked or crowded teeth may be better treated with Invisalign, which moves the teeth themselves and may remove the need for veneers. A tooth that is broken, heavily filled or root-canal treated usually needs a crown to cover and protect it.
Porcelain veneers are the better choice when you have several concerns at once, such as stains whitening can’t fix, chips, gaps or an uneven shape, because they change color and shape together and last for years.
Many smile makeovers combine these, for example whitening the lower teeth to match new upper veneers. Veneers don’t whiten after they’re made, so any whitening is done first.
With good care, porcelain veneers typically last 10 to 15 years, and often longer. What shortens their life is mostly force, not decay:
If one veneer is ever damaged, it can usually be replaced on its own without redoing the others.
The cost of veneers depends on how many teeth are treated, the material (porcelain or composite), and whether other care such as whitening, gum treatment or orthodontics is needed first. You’ll get an exact written fee at your consultation, before any treatment.
Insurance: most dental plans treat veneers as cosmetic and don’t cover them. When a veneer also repairs damage, part of the cost is sometimes covered, and we’re happy to check your plan.
Paying for veneers: Diamond Dental offers flexible in-house payment plans, so you can start treatment and pay over time without a third-party lender. We accept cash, checks and credit cards. See our payment options.
Dr. Barry Diamond is a restorative and cosmetic dentist in Beachwood. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Maryland and completed the University of Maryland’s Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency, where he managed complex restorative and cosmetic cases.
My family has had an outstanding experience with Diamond Dental. They take care of all of my children as well as my wife, and every visit has been a positive one. The entire staff is friendly, professional, and genuinely cares about making patients feel comfortable from the moment you walk through the door.The dentists and hygienists are knowledgeable, thorough, and take the time to explain everything clearly. They are especially great with children, making each appointment a stress-free experience for both the kids and parents. I highly recommend Diamond Dental to any family looking for exceptional dental care and outstanding customer service. They have definitely earned our trust and our continued business!
Great Dentist! Friendly,professional and does a great job!
Batya was super kind and gentle as my dental hygienist! And, everyone else was very nice as well!
Great service and always stellar dental work! Would never go anywhere else!
Great service everyone was great and explained everything to me
1st visit to Diamond Dental and the service was UNMATCHED! Sarah the hygienist..sweet pleasant and hilarious to say the least. Dr. Diamond 💎 what a gem… so very caring and likes to get to know his patients.Thank you seriously I’ve found my new dental 🦷 home 🤗.-Cilena H
Veneers can address chips, uneven contours, discoloration and selected small gaps.
Treatment is planned to achieve the desired change while preserving tooth structure.
Each veneer is designed to match your smile proportions and surrounding teeth.
These answers address common questions about dental veneers, including evaluation, timing, comfort, alternatives, and maintenance. They provide general information only; an examination is necessary to determine what is appropriate for an individual patient.
Preparation is done with local anesthetic, so most patients feel pressure rather than pain. Some mild sensitivity to hot and cold for a few days afterward is common and usually fades quickly.
Traditional porcelain veneers are considered permanent because a thin layer of enamel is removed to place them. The veneers themselves may need replacing after many years, but the tooth will always need a veneer or other covering.
It depends on your smile. Some people need one veneer to match a single discolored or chipped tooth. A full makeover usually covers the teeth that show when you smile, often six to ten upper teeth. Dr. Diamond will show you what’s visible in your smile and recommend the fewest veneers that achieve your goal.
Porcelain itself doesn’t decay and resists staining, but the natural tooth underneath can still get a cavity at the edges. Daily brushing and flossing and regular checkups protect it.
No. Whitening gel doesn’t change porcelain’s color. If you’d like whiter teeth overall, whitening is done before veneers so they can be matched to your brighter shade.
Usually not, because they’re considered cosmetic. If a veneer also repairs a damaged tooth, part of the cost may be covered. We’ll check your plan and give you a written fee before treatment. See also payment options.
Typically 10 to 15 years, and often longer with good care. Grinding, biting hard objects and skipped checkups shorten their life.
Porcelain lasts longer, resists stains and looks the most natural. Composite costs less, usually takes one visit and can often be repaired, but it stains and wears faster. See the comparison above.
Book a veneer consultation online or call (216) 206-8075. You’ll leave knowing whether veneers are right for you, what they would involve and what they would cost.
