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Arcline Smile studio

Treatment 01 of 06

Porcelain veneers

Thin porcelain shells, layered by hand, that change colour, shape and length in one plan.

Typically lasts
10 to 15+ years
Visits
3 to 4 visits over 3 to 5 weeks
Can it be undone?
No
Price
From $1,600 per tooth
Book a free consult See costs
Close-up of a dental model with new porcelain veneers on the upper front teeth

What it is

In plain words.

A veneer is a thin layer of porcelain bonded to the front of a tooth. It can fix colour that whitening can't reach, chips, small gaps, worn or uneven edges, and teeth that look too short. Most people do between 4 and 10 upper teeth, the ones that show when they smile.

The honest part

Veneers are a permanent choice. We usually reshape 0.3 to 0.7 mm of enamel so the porcelain sits flush, and that enamel does not grow back. One day each veneer will need replacing. If whitening, bonding or aligners could get you close enough, we will tell you first.

Before

After

Illustration, not a patient: short, worn and uneven edges, then even porcelain edges. Real cases, photographed the same way every time, are shown at your consult.

Is it right for you?

A good fit, and when it isn't.

Usually a good fit for

  • Teeth that stay dark or patchy after whitening
  • Chips, wear and uneven edges across several teeth
  • Small gaps and teeth that look short or narrow
  • Old front bonding or fillings that have stained

Think twice, or talk to us first, if

  • You clench or grind and won't wear a night guard
  • Gums that bleed or recede. We treat that first.
  • Crowding that aligners could fix with less drilling
  • One small chip. Bonding is usually the kinder choice.

How it works

Visit by visit.

3 to 4 visits over 3 to 5 weeks. Times are typical; your plan lists your own dates.

  1. Visit 1

    Smile consult

    We talk about what bothers you, check your teeth and gums, and take photos. Free, about 45 minutes.

  2. Visit 2 · about week 1

    Design and trial smile

    Photos and a 3D scan become a digital design. We press a trial smile onto your teeth in tooth-coloured resin so you can see it in the mirror and ask for changes.

  3. Visit 3 · about week 2

    Prep and temporaries

    Gentle reshaping with local anaesthetic, a final scan, and temporary veneers in the design you approved. Plan on 2 to 3 hours.

  4. Visit 4 · week 4 to 5

    Fit day

    The porcelain is tried in, shade-checked in daylight, bonded and adjusted to your bite. A short review follows two weeks later.

What it costs

$1,600 to $2,400 per tooth.

  • Smile design visit Photos, 3D scan, digital design and a trial smile. Credited if you go ahead. $350
  • Porcelain veneer, per tooth Hand-layered by our partner ceramist $1,600 to $2,400
  • Typical case: 6 upper teeth The teeth most people show when they smile $9,600 to $14,400
  • Typical case: 8 to 10 upper teeth For wider smiles $12,800 to $24,000
  • Night guard after veneers Strongly advised if you clench or grind $450 to $650

Your written plan gives one number. Ranges move with how many teeth, how much reshaping, and whether gums need contouring first. Porcelain is rarely covered by insurance.

Every plan includes

  • Digital smile design and a trial smile before anything is changed
  • Temporary veneers while the porcelain is made
  • Shade matched at the window in daylight, with you holding the mirror
  • Fit day, bite check and a 2-week review
  • A 1-year photo check at no charge

Example payment

$254 / month

For 6 porcelain veneers at $12,000, over 60 months at 9.9% APR. An example only; lender rates depend on approval. Stage payments with no interest are also available.

Run your own numbers

How long it lasts

Honestly: 10 to 15+ years.

A fair expectation for porcelain. Many veneers last longer with good care and a night guard.

Helping it last

  • Brush twice and floss daily, the same as natural teeth
  • Wear your night guard if we made one
  • Don't open packages or bite ice with your front teeth
  • Cleanings every 6 months with a non-abrasive polish

Porcelain veneers

10 to 15+ years

Teeth whitening

6 months to 3 years

Cosmetic bonding

4 to 8 years

Invisalign clear aligners

Holds with nightly retainers

Porcelain crowns

10 to 15+ years

Typical ranges for healthy mouths with good care, not promises. Grinding, smoking, diet and cleanings all move these numbers. Smile makeovers combine several treatments, so each part keeps its own range.

Questions

About veneers.

More questions
Do veneers hurt?

Prep is done with local anaesthetic, like a filling. Some people feel mild sensitivity for a few days. Fit day usually needs no freezing.

Can I whiten my veneers later?

No. Porcelain keeps its colour, but it will not get lighter. If you want your other teeth lighter, whiten them before we choose the veneer shade.

What happens when a veneer needs replacing?

We remove the old veneer and make a new one. Budget for it in the long run. It is the honest cost of choosing porcelain.

Often considered alongside

Other ways to get there.

Kitsilano · In studio or by video

Talk veneers at a free consult.

Forty-five minutes, no commitment. Tell us what you'd like to change, see honest options and price ranges, and decide in your own time.

Book a smile consult Call (604) 555-0163
Fictional sample site by SearchPod