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If there are things about your smile you have wanted to change for years, porcelain veneers may be the most complete solution available. A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain that covers the front surface of a tooth, bonded directly to it to completely reshape its appearance. Each porcelain laminate is carefully crafted in a dental laboratory to fit your individual smile.
At Prestige Dental, Dr. Vasag Bouzoghlanian approaches each veneer case as an individual design project. He analyzes which methods will work best for your specific situation, taking into account your goals, your existing bite, and the proportions of your smile. The result is a set of veneers that are virtually undetectable and dramatically improve your appearance.
What Problems Do Porcelain Veneers Address?
Porcelain veneers in Pasadena at Prestige Dental are used to correct a wide range of cosmetic concerns, including:
- Stained or discolored teeth that do not respond to whitening
- Unsightly gaps between front teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Rough or jagged edges on front teeth
- Teeth that are too small or large in proportion to the rest of the mouth
- Crooked teeth
- Worn teeth
Because each veneer is custom crafted, Dr. B can address several of these concerns simultaneously in a single coordinated treatment.
Am I a Candidate for Veneers?
Most patients who are in good general oral health and whose primary concern is cosmetic are good candidates for porcelain veneers. During your consultation, Dr. Bouzoghlanian will evaluate your teeth, gums, and bite to determine whether veneers are the right approach for your situation.
Veneers may not be appropriate in every case. Dr. B suggest that they are not the best choice for:
- Teeth with excessive decay because a porcelain crown may be the more appropriate solution.
- Very large chipped areas where a crown provides better structural support.
- Patients whose primary concern is alignment because orthodontic treatment may be a better alternative.
- Patients who only want to address staining or dullness because teeth whitening may be a simpler, less invasive option.
If you are unsure which option is right for you, the consultation is the right place to start. Dr. B will give you an honest assessment of your options before any treatment is recommended.
The Prestige Dental Veneer Process in Pasadena
Every veneer case at Prestige Dental follows a careful, methodical process built around your individual smile.
Step 1: Consultation and Smile Analysis
Dr. B begins by evaluating your teeth, gums, and bite. He discusses your goals in detail and explains which options will work best for your specific case. There is no pressure during this visit, only an honest conversation about what is possible. For the dental veneers planned at Prestige Dental in Pasadena, Dr. B may also take molds of your teeth on this visit. The molds are sent to a cosmetics specialty dental lab to prepare a wax “mockup” of the planned veneers. Patients find this process extremely helpful, because it’ll give you a better idea of what the final veneers and smile redesign will look like, even before the process begins. No more anxiety associated with the uncertainty of what your smile will look like. You’ll have the opportunity to clearly see the plan ahead of time, and discuss with Dr. B any concerns regarding the size, shape, and design of the veneers.
Step 2: Tooth Preparation
A small amount of the front surface of the tooth is carefully shaped to create space for the veneer. This step is performed with precision to preserve as much natural tooth structure as possible, consistent with Dr. B's minimally invasive philosophy.
Step 3: Laboratory Fabrication
Impressions or digital records of your teeth are sent to a dental laboratory, where each porcelain laminate veneer is crafted individually to fit your smile. This is where the artistry happens.
Step 4: Bonding and Final Placement
Once the veneers are ready, Dr. B checks each one carefully for fit, color, and proportion before bonding them permanently to your teeth. The result is a natural-looking, virtually undetectable transformation.
Porcelain Veneers vs. Composite Bonding
Patients often ask how porcelain veneers compare to composite bonding, since both are used to correct chips, gaps, and discoloration. The right choice depends on the extent of the correction needed and your personal goals.
Porcelain veneers
Cover the entire front surface of the tooth, allowing for comprehensive changes to color, shape, size, and proportion in a coordinated design. They are highly durable and virtually undetectable.
Composite bonding
Involves applying tooth-colored resin directly to specific areas of a tooth to restore chips, fill gaps, or correct rough edges. It is a more conservative approach, appropriate when the changes needed are localized.
Dr. B will discuss both options during your consultation and give you his honest recommendation based on your specific goals. In some cases, a combination of both treatments is the most sensible approach.
Learn more about composite bonding.
Longevity and Care for Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are durable and long lasting when compared to other cosmetic treatments. However, they are not indestructible and may not last forever. Individual factors such as your diet, habits, and bite will affect how long your veneers hold up.
Well-crafted veneers will last many years, though they may eventually need to be replaced. To protect your veneers and your overall oral health, Dr. B recommends maintaining good oral hygiene habits and attending routine cleanings and exams at Prestige Dental.
How Much Do Veneers Cost in Pasadena?
Porcelain veneers represent a significant investment in your appearance and confidence. The cost of veneers in Pasadena varies based on the number of teeth being treated and the complexity of the case.
At Prestige Dental, we provide complete, transparent pricing during your consultation before any treatment is scheduled. We work with CareCredit financing to make treatment accessible, and our front desk team is available to help you understand your options.
Patient Results — Before and After
Frequently Asked Questions about Porcelain Veneers in Pasadena
A porcelain veneer is a thin shell of porcelain bonded directly to the front surface of a tooth. Each one is individually crafted in a laboratory to fit your smile. Veneers are used to correct staining, chips, gaps, worn teeth, and teeth that are too small or large in proportion to the rest of the mouth.