Dental veneers are thin, custom-crafted shells that cover the front surface of your teeth to create a uniform, beautiful smile. At Madison Lakes Dental, Dr. Ellickson designs porcelain and composite veneers that look natural, feel comfortable, and stand up to everyday life. If you have teeth that are chipped, stained, uneven, or gapped, veneers can transform your smile in as few as two appointments.
What Are Dental Veneers?
Veneers are wafer-thin restorations bonded to the front of your visible teeth. They cover imperfections while preserving most of your natural tooth structure underneath. Custom-fabricated from impressions of your teeth, each veneer is designed to match your desired shade, shape, and size for a result that looks like naturally flawless teeth.
Veneers are one of the most versatile cosmetic treatments available, capable of addressing multiple concerns simultaneously: discoloration, chips, cracks, gaps, misalignment, and irregular shape can all be corrected with a single set of veneers.
Porcelain vs. Composite Veneers
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are fabricated in a dental laboratory from high-quality ceramic material. They offer superior stain resistance, light-reflecting properties that mimic natural enamel, and exceptional durability lasting 10 to 15 years or longer. Porcelain veneers require a thin layer of enamel removal and typically involve two appointments.
Composite Veneers
Composite veneers use the same tooth-colored resin material as dental bonding, applied and sculpted directly onto your teeth. They can often be completed in a single visit, require less (or no) enamel removal, and cost less than porcelain. However, they are slightly more prone to staining and typically last five to seven years.
The Veneer Process
- Consultation & Design — Dr. Ellickson discusses your goals, evaluates your oral health, and helps you choose the right shade and shape. We may create a digital preview or wax mock-up so you can visualize your new smile before committing.
- Preparation — A thin layer of enamel (about 0.5mm) is removed from the front of each tooth to make room for the veneer. Impressions are taken and sent to our laboratory.
- Temporary Veneers — Provisional veneers protect your prepared teeth while your permanent set is being crafted.
- Bonding — Once your custom veneers arrive, Dr. Ellickson checks the fit, shade, and shape before permanently bonding them to your teeth with dental cement and a curing light.
- Final Adjustments — Minor adjustments ensure a comfortable bite and natural feel.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Veneers?
Veneers work well for patients with:
- Teeth stained beyond what whitening can correct
- Chipped, cracked, or worn teeth
- Gaps between front teeth
- Slightly crooked or uneven teeth (without needing orthodontics)
- Teeth that are too small or irregularly shaped
Veneers require sufficient healthy tooth enamel for bonding. Patients with severe grinding habits, significant bite problems, or extensive decay may need alternative treatments. Dr. Ellickson evaluates your specific situation to recommend the best approach.
Caring for Your Veneers
Veneers require the same care as natural teeth: brush twice daily, floss daily, and attend regular dental cleanings. While porcelain veneers are highly stain-resistant, avoiding excessive force (ice chewing, nail biting, opening packages with teeth) helps them last their full lifespan. Wearing a night guard is recommended if you grind your teeth during sleep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Veneer costs depend on the material (porcelain vs. composite) and the number of teeth being treated. Porcelain veneers are a larger investment per tooth than composite. We provide detailed pricing during your consultation and offer CareCredit financing to make treatment accessible.
Porcelain veneers typically last 10 to 15 years or longer with proper care. Some patients enjoy their veneers for 20+ years before replacement is needed. Composite veneers generally last five to seven years.
For patients who want a dramatic, long-lasting smile transformation, veneers offer exceptional value. They address multiple cosmetic concerns simultaneously and provide results that whitening, bonding, or orthodontics alone cannot achieve. Most patients report significantly increased confidence after getting veneers.
Veneer preparation removes a thin layer of enamel, which is an irreversible change. However, this is a conservative amount (about the thickness of a contact lens), and the veneer itself protects the prepared tooth. Dr. Ellickson uses the most conservative preparation techniques available to preserve maximum tooth structure.
No, porcelain and composite veneers do not respond to whitening treatments. This is why Dr. Ellickson recommends whitening your natural teeth first (if desired), then matching your veneers to the whitened shade for a consistent result.
Design Your Dream Smile
Dental veneers at Madison Lakes Dental in Madison, WI can give you the smile you have always envisioned. Personalized design, quality materials, and meticulous craftsmanship ensure results that look beautiful and last for years.