A bright, even smile can make you feel confident every day. If you have chipped, stained, uneven, or small-gapped teeth, porcelain veneers may be the way to refresh your smile at Strafford Dental. Veneers are thin, custom-made shells that cover the front of your teeth to improve their appearance.
Dr. Eric Gartner makes them strong, natural-looking, and designed just for you. Learn what porcelain veneers are, what to expect during treatment at your dental office in Wayne, PA, and the many benefits they can offer.
What Are Porcelain Veneers? A Natural-Looking Smile Solution
Porcelain veneers are medical-grade ceramics that bond to the front surfaces of your teeth. Each veneer is made to match the shape, size, and color that fits your face and smile. The goal is to create a natural, balanced look that blends with your other teeth.
Veneers can solve many cosmetic concerns at once, including:
- Chips and cracks: Veneers cover small chips and cracks, so your smile looks smooth again.
- Stains and discoloration: If whitening hasn’t worked, veneers can hide deep stains and brighten your smile.
- Gaps and uneven spacing: Veneers can close small spaces and make teeth look more even.
- Worn or uneven edges: Veneers restore length and shape for a more uniform look.
- Slightly crooked teeth: In some cases, veneers can make teeth appear straighter without braces.
Porcelain is a great material because it reflects light much like natural enamel. This gives veneers a lifelike shine. Porcelain also resists stains better than natural teeth, so your smile can stay bright longer with good care. Unlike crowns, which cover the whole tooth, veneers are more conservative. They only cover the front surface and require less removal of your natural tooth enamel.
Are You a Good Candidate for Veneers?
Not everyone is a good candidate for veneers. You should have healthy gums and teeth without active decay. If your teeth are very crooked or your bite is off, you may need orthodontic care first. Veneers work best for minor to moderate cosmetic issues, not major structural problems. Dr. Gartner will help you decide whether veneers are the best choice for your goals or whether you could benefit from a different cosmetic treatment.
Your Veneers Journey: From Consultation to Your New Smile
Getting porcelain veneers is usually a two-visit process after your initial consultation. The steps are simple and focused on comfort and natural-looking results.
- Consultation & Exam: You will share your goals and concerns. Dr. Gartner will check your teeth and gums, may take photos or X-rays, and discuss options. If veneers are right for you, you will review a plan and timeline.
- Smile Design: Together, you choose the veneer shape and shade. Some offices use digital previews or a mock-up so you can see the expected result.
- Tooth Preparation: A small amount of enamel, about the thickness of a fingernail, is gently removed from the front of each tooth being treated. This helps the veneers fit well and look natural. Local anesthetic keeps you comfortable. This is an irreversible step because once the enamel is removed, you will always need a veneer or crown on that tooth.
- Impressions or Scan: Dr. Gartner takes a mold or digital scan of your teeth. He sends this guide to a trusted lab that makes your custom veneers.
- Temporary Veneers (if needed): You may wear temporaries to protect your teeth and preview the look while the lab crafts your final veneers.
- Fabrication: The dental lab creates your veneers, matching the design, color, and shape. This usually takes 1–2 weeks.
- Try-in and Bonding: At your next visit, Dr. Gartner checks the fit and color of each veneer. Small adjustments are made if needed. Your teeth are cleaned and prepared. The dentist applies a bonding material, places the veneers, and uses a special light to harden the bond.
- Final Polish & Bite Check: Dr. Gartner polishes the veneers and makes sure your bite feels comfortable. You will receive care instructions and may schedule a follow-up to check healing and comfort.
After treatment, some people feel mild sensitivity to hot or cold for a short time. This usually fades in a few days. Care is easy. Just brush twice a day with a soft toothbrush, floss daily, avoid biting hard objects, and wear a night guard if you grind your teeth. Regular checkups help your veneers and natural teeth stay healthy.
Benefits of Choosing Porcelain Veneers
- Natural look and feel: Porcelain reflects light like real enamel, so your smile looks bright and believable.
- Fixes multiple issues at once: One treatment can improve color, shape, size, and small gaps for a complete smile upgrade.
- Stain-resistant: Porcelain stands up well to coffee, tea, and other stain-causing foods with proper care.
- Minimally invasive: Veneers are more conservative than crowns because they only cover the front of the tooth.
- Strong and long-lasting: With proper care, veneers can last 10 to 15 years or even longer. One study found that 95% of veneers lasted 5 years, 94% lasted 10 years, and about 83% remained in place for 20 or more years.
- Quick results: Many patients complete treatment in just a few weeks.
- Custom-made for you: We tailor the shape, length, and shade to your face and goals for a balanced, confident smile.
- Confidence boost: A healthier-looking smile can make you feel more comfortable at work, in photos, and in everyday life.
Why Strafford Dental is the Top Choice for Veneers on the Main Line
Choosing the right dentist in Wayne for your veneers makes all the difference. At Strafford Dental, we combine a legacy of community trust with advanced cosmetic training to give you results you’ll love for years:
- A Legacy of Trust in Wayne: Our practice has cared for families in Wayne, Radnor, Devon, Berwyn, Malvern, Paoli, Villanova, and the greater Main Line for over 40 years. Dr. Eric Gartner grew up in this community and in this practice. He knows Main Line patients’ expectations and delivers the quality and aesthetics you deserve.
- Advanced Training and Precision: Dr. Gartner trained at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, one of the nation’s top dental schools. He brings world-class training and modern techniques to every veneer case.
- Patient-First, Not Insurance-First: We plan your treatment based on what’s best for your smile, not what an insurance company dictates. We give you a clear plan and cost estimate before we start, so there are no surprises.
- Gentle, Comfortable Care: We know dental visits can be stressful. We offer gentle numbing techniques and a calm, unhurried environment. You’re in good hands.
- Real, Lasting Results: We use high-quality porcelain that mimics natural enamel and resists stains. Our goal is a smile that feels like you.
Patient Review
Frequently Asked Questions
Is getting porcelain veneers painful?
No. We use local anesthesia to completely numb your teeth and gums during the preparation process. You may feel some pressure or vibration, but you shouldn’t feel any sharp pain. After the numbing wears off, some patients experience mild sensitivity to hot or cold for a few days. This is normal and usually fades quickly. Most patients are surprised by how comfortable the entire process is.
Can porcelain veneers fix severely crooked teeth?
Veneers are designed for minor to moderate cosmetic issues like small gaps, slight rotations, or uneven edges. If your teeth are severely crooked or your bite is significantly off, orthodontic treatment like clear aligners may be a better first step. Dr. Gartner will examine your teeth and bite during your consultation and recommend the best approach for your specific situation.
Will my veneers look fake or unnatural?
Not if they’re made well. The key is using high-quality porcelain that mimics how natural enamel catches light. We match the shade to your surrounding teeth and shape each veneer to fit your face and smile. Most of our patients leave with veneers that look so natural, they even forget which teeth were worked on.
How do I care for my porcelain veneers?
You care for veneers just like your natural teeth. Brush twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Floss daily to keep your gums healthy. Avoid biting hard objects like ice, pens, or fingernails. If you grind your teeth at night, we can make a custom night guard to protect your veneers. Regular checkups and cleanings are also essential to keep your smile looking its best.
Will my veneers stain over time?
Porcelain is highly stain-resistant, much more than natural tooth enamel. You can still enjoy coffee, tea, and red wine without worrying about major discoloration. However, the cement that bonds the veneers to your teeth can stain over time, so it’s still a good idea to brush and rinse after consuming stain-causing foods and drinks. With good care, your veneers will stay bright for many years.
Can I get just one veneer, or do I need a full set?
In most cases, we recommend veneers in pairs to maintain balance and symmetry. For example, if you’re treating one front tooth, we’d typically do both front teeth so they match perfectly. However, every case is different. During your consultation, Dr. Gartner will evaluate your smile and recommend the right number of veneers to achieve the look you want while keeping things natural and balanced.
Cost and Insurance
The cost of porcelain veneers varies based on the number of veneers and the complexity of your case. Because veneers are considered an elective cosmetic procedure, dental insurance typically doesn’t cover them. However, we offer flexible payment options and can help you find a financing plan that fits your budget. We’ll provide a clear estimate before we begin any work.
Ready to Refresh Your Smile?
At Strafford Dental, we’ve been helping Wayne and the surrounding Main Line communities achieve beautiful, natural-looking smiles for over 40 years. Dr. Eric Gartner grew up right here in the area and trained at the University of Pennsylvania. He understands the high standards of our community and delivers cosmetic results that meet them.
Ready to see what porcelain veneers can do for you? Call our office at 610-600-1559 to schedule your consultation. You can also request an appointment online, and a member of our friendly team will reach out to help you find a time that fits your busy schedule.
We’re conveniently located right here in Wayne, proudly serving patients from Berwyn, Devon, Malvern, Paoli, Villanova, Bryn Mawr, King of Prussia, Newtown Square, and across the Philadelphia Main Line. We can’t wait to welcome you to the Strafford Dental family.