If you’ve been self-conscious about your smile for years — whether it’s staining that whitening never fully fixed, chips you’ve learned to hide in photos, or teeth that just aren’t the shape you wish they were — porcelain veneers may be the most direct path to the result you’ve been looking for.
They’re one of the most requested cosmetic dental procedures in the country, and for good reason. When done well, veneers don’t look like “dental work.” They look like an exceptionally good set of natural teeth.
Here’s what you actually need to know before deciding if they’re right for you.
What Porcelain Veneers Are — and What They Do
A porcelain veneer is a thin, custom-made shell of dental ceramic bonded to the front surface of a tooth. Each one is designed specifically for your mouth — matched to the color, size, and shape that fits your facial structure and your goals. The result is a permanently improved appearance for any tooth the veneer covers.
Veneers are most commonly used to address teeth that are:
- Stained beyond what whitening can correct
- Chipped or slightly cracked
- Worn down from years of grinding
- Uneven or irregularly shaped
- Separated by small gaps
They’re not a medical treatment — they’re a cosmetic one — but the impact on how patients feel about their smile tends to be significant and lasting.
What makes porcelain the preferred material is its behavior in light. Porcelain has a translucency that closely mimics natural tooth enamel, which is why well-crafted veneers are difficult to distinguish from the real thing even up close. They’re also highly resistant to staining from coffee, wine, and other common culprits — more so than your natural enamel.
What the Veneer Process Looks Like at Behner Family Dentistry
Getting porcelain veneers is not a same-day procedure, but it’s also not as involved as many patients expect. The process typically unfolds over two to three appointments.
Your first visit is a consultation. Dr. Behner will examine your teeth, discuss what you’re hoping to achieve, and evaluate whether veneers are the right fit for your situation. Not every tooth is an ideal candidate — if there’s active decay, gum disease, or significant structural damage, those issues need to be addressed first. This appointment is also where you’ll have the opportunity to look at shade options and talk through what the final result will look like.
If veneers are the right direction, the preparation appointment comes next. A small amount of enamel — typically less than a millimeter — is removed from the front surface of each tooth receiving a veneer. This is necessary to create space so the veneer sits flush and feels natural rather than bulky. The removal is permanent, which is an important consideration: once you’ve prepared teeth for veneers, they will always need to be covered by veneers or another restoration. Impressions or digital scans are taken and sent to the dental lab, and temporary veneers are placed to protect the prepared teeth while your permanent set is fabricated.
At your final appointment, the temporaries come off, the fit and color of the permanent veneers are verified, and they’re bonded to your teeth with a durable dental adhesive. Dr. Behner will check your bite and make any minor adjustments before you leave. Most patients walk out of this appointment with an immediately noticeable difference.
Are Porcelain Veneers Permanent?
This is one of the most common questions patients ask, and it deserves a clear answer. Veneers themselves are not permanent in the sense that they last forever without replacement — most porcelain veneers last 10 to 20 years with proper care before needing to be replaced. However, the tooth preparation involved is permanent. Because a thin layer of enamel is removed during the process, the tooth will always require coverage going forward.
This is a meaningful distinction to understand before you commit. Veneers are a long-term investment in your appearance, not a reversible cosmetic procedure. Patients who approach them that way — understanding the commitment and caring for them properly — tend to be highly satisfied over many years.
How to Make Veneers Last
Porcelain veneers are durable, but they’re not indestructible. The habits that protect your natural teeth protect your veneers too. Brushing twice daily, flossing regularly, and attending your routine cleanings at Behner are the foundation. Beyond that, a few specific behaviors make a real difference in longevity:
- Avoid biting hard objects — ice, hard candy, fingernails, pen caps — since porcelain can chip under concentrated force.
- Wear a custom nightguard if you grind your teeth, because the same pressure that damages natural enamel will shorten the life of your veneers.
- Practice moderation with staining beverages — while porcelain resists staining well, the bonding material at the edges can discolor over time with heavy coffee or wine consumption, so good hygiene around those habits matters.
With proper care, it’s realistic to expect your veneers to look excellent for 15 years or longer.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Veneers?
Veneers work best for patients who have cosmetically flawed but structurally sound teeth. The ideal candidate has sufficient enamel for the preparation process, healthy gums, and no significant issues with grinding or clenching that aren’t already being managed. If you’ve always wanted straighter-looking teeth but don’t want to go through orthodontic treatment, veneers can address mild spacing and alignment issues cosmetically — though they won’t move teeth the way braces or aligners do.
Patients who are not good candidates include those with severely compromised tooth structure, active periodontal disease, or habits like heavy grinding that would stress the porcelain excessively without a protective plan in place. A consultation with Dr. Behner will give you a clear picture of whether veneers make sense for your specific teeth and goals, or whether a different cosmetic approach — like dental bonding or a smile makeover combining multiple treatments — would serve you better.
The Confidence Factor
It may sound like a soft benefit, but the way patients describe the impact of veneers on their daily lives is consistently striking. Many people who’ve spent years being careful about how they smile in photos, or avoiding certain foods, or feeling self-conscious in professional settings, describe their post-veneer experience as genuinely freeing. A smile you’re not thinking about is a very different thing from one you’ve been managing around.
That’s ultimately what cosmetic dentistry at Behner Family Dentistry is about — not perfection for its own sake, but giving you a smile that lets you stop thinking about your smile.
People Also Ask
Are porcelain veneers painful?
The procedure is done under local anesthesia, so you won’t feel pain during preparation. Some sensitivity to hot and cold is normal in the days following the preparation appointment, particularly while wearing the temporaries. This typically resolves once the permanent veneers are placed.
How many teeth do veneers typically cover?
It depends on your goals. Some patients get a single veneer to address one chipped tooth. Most cosmetic smile makeovers involve the upper front six to eight teeth — the ones visible when you smile. Your dentist will help you determine the right number based on your smile line and what you’re trying to achieve.
Can veneers be whitened?
No. Porcelain does not respond to whitening treatments. This is why shade selection during the consultation process matters — the color you choose is the color you’ll have. If you’re also planning to whiten your natural teeth, it’s recommended to whiten first and then match the veneer shade to the result.
How much do porcelain veneers cost in Altamonte Springs?
Costs vary based on the number of veneers, the complexity of the case, and the materials used. A consultation with Behner Family Dentistry will give you an accurate estimate for your specific situation. Dental financing options are typically available to help manage the investment over time.
Do veneers look fake?
High-quality porcelain veneers crafted by an experienced cosmetic dentist do not look fake. The goal — and the standard at Behner — is a result that looks like a naturally beautiful set of teeth, not an obviously cosmetic one. Before-and-after photos from real patients are available in Behner’s photo gallery so you can judge the results for yourself.
How do I get started with veneers at Behner Family Dentistry?
The first step is scheduling a cosmetic consultation. Dr. Behner will evaluate your teeth, walk you through your options, and give you a realistic picture of what veneers can do for your smile. Call the Altamonte Springs office at 407-831-5455 or use the online contact form to request your appointment.