Veneers

We place both porcelain and composite veneers, and the choice between them shapes the timeline, the cost, and the look. Porcelain veneers are custom-crafted in a lab from ceramic, then bonded to the teeth. Porcelain reflects light in a way that closely mimics natural enamel, resists staining well, and holds its polish over time. This is typically the route for patients pursuing a full smile makeover, a significant change in tooth color, or a design that needs to be consistent across eight or ten teeth.

Composite veneers are built from tooth-colored resin that Dr. Anderson shapes and sculpts directly onto the tooth, usually in a single visit. Because the material is layered by hand, composite is highly adjustable — a chipped incisal edge, a peg-shaped lateral, or a single tooth that sits slightly out of line can often be corrected without a lab step. Composite generally requires less tooth preparation and costs less than porcelain, but resin is more porous, so it's more prone to staining and typically needs refreshing or repolishing sooner. Many patients choose composite as a starting point or for a targeted fix, and porcelain when they want the most durable, color-stable result across a broader smile.

Good candidates for veneers have healthy teeth and gums underneath. Veneers are cosmetic, not restorative in the structural sense, so active decay, gum inflammation, or a failing filling needs attention first — otherwise you're covering a problem rather than solving it. Significant crowding or bite discrepancies sometimes call for clear aligners before veneers, since straightening teeth first can mean a more conservative, better-proportioned final result.

It's also worth knowing that porcelain veneers usually involve removing a small amount of enamel, which makes them a long-term commitment; the teeth will always need some form of covering afterward. Patients who clench or grind should expect that habit to be part of the conversation, because it affects material choice and longevity. And if whitening is part of your goal, natural teeth are whitened before veneers are made, since veneer shade is matched at the time of fabrication and won't lighten later.

Where we differ from a typical cosmetic practice is that Sarah Garces, NP-C and Dr. Anderson plan together. Using Digital Smile Design, we look at how tooth proportion, lip position, and facial balance interact — so veneers are designed with your whole face in view rather than in isolation from any facial aesthetic treatment you're considering.

Cost, Financing, and Getting Started

We're an out-of-network, fee-for-service practice and don't bill insurance. We welcome self-pay patients, and for those who'd rather spread the investment out, we offer financing through Cherry. Fees vary with the number of teeth, the material, and whether whitening or aligners are part of the sequence, so we give you a clear written plan before anything begins.

The best first step is a complimentary consultation. Bring photos of smiles you like, tell us what bothers you about yours, and we'll walk through whether porcelain, composite, or a combination makes sense — no pressure, just an honest look at your options. We'd love to meet you.