Porcelain Veneers in Timonium: What They Can Fix

Porcelain veneers can fix a surprising range of cosmetic problems: stains that whitening can’t lift, chips and small cracks, worn or uneven edges, gaps between teeth, teeth that look crooked, small or oddly shaped teeth, and older fillings or bonding that no longer match. What veneers can’t do is treat decay or gum disease, correct a bite that doesn’t work, move teeth or replace missing ones. At Dr. Steven W. Haywood, DDS in Timonium, MD, veneers are one option among several, and the plan starts with what your teeth actually need.

This guide goes problem by problem: what veneers can do for each, and when a simpler or different treatment is the better choice.

What porcelain veneers are

Dental veneers are thin, translucent shells, usually made of porcelain, bonded directly to the front of your teeth. A veneer can be as thin as a contact lens, and it partially wraps the tooth like a suit of armor, protecting and strengthening it. Unlike a crown, it does not require grinding down the entire tooth. The practice offers conventional porcelain veneers, prepless veneers such as DURAthin and Lumineers, and composite veneers. To compare them, read three types of veneer materials compared.

Problems porcelain veneers can fix

Stained or discolored teeth

Some stains sit deep inside the tooth, and whitening can only lighten them so far. Porcelain veneers cover the front of the tooth with a new, stain-resistant surface, and they can brighten teeth without whitening. Porcelain resists stains better than natural teeth or composite. When something else may be better: if your teeth are healthy and the stains are on the surface, professional whitening is the simpler first step. Over a very dark tooth, a veneer may need to be more opaque or thicker in places.

Chips and small cracks

A veneer covers a chipped edge and restores a smooth, natural outline while strengthening the tooth. When something else may be better: a single small chip can often be repaired with dental bonding in one visit. A tooth that is badly broken may need a crown.

Worn or uneven edges

Grinding and everyday wear can leave edges short, flat or jagged. Veneers can restore length and a natural edge, often with little or no drilling because the tooth has already lost thickness. When something else may be better: if grinding or an uneven bite caused the wear, that needs attention first. Read veneers for worn teeth.

Gaps between teeth

Veneers can close gaps and spaces by making the teeth on either side slightly wider. When something else may be better: large gaps can make teeth look too wide if closed with porcelain alone, and moving the teeth with Invisalign may give a better-proportioned result. Very small gaps may suit bonding.

Teeth that look crooked

Veneers can make teeth look straighter without braces. This approach, sometimes called instant orthodontics, can transform crooked, gapped or discolored teeth in as little as one or two visits. When something else may be better: veneers change how teeth look, not where they sit. If teeth are significantly out of line or the bite needs correcting, Invisalign or braces may come first, and Invisalign is often combined with veneer makeovers at the practice. See crooked or gapped teeth: your options.

Small or oddly shaped teeth

Teeth that are small, pointed or out of proportion with their neighbors can be reshaped with porcelain so the smile looks balanced. Thin veneers are often a good fit here, because they add size without making the tooth bulky.

Old fillings and bonding that no longer match

Tooth-colored fillings and bonding on front teeth can darken or chip over the years. Traditional porcelain veneers are often chosen for teeth with older dental work, because they can cover it and strengthen the tooth. See are you a candidate for traditional veneers?

What veneers can’t fix

• Decay and gum disease. These need to be treated before any cosmetic work.
• A bite that doesn’t work. Veneers sit on the front of the teeth; bite problems need their own evaluation. Issues such as TMJ disorder or grinding can hint at bite problems.
• Missing teeth. A veneer needs a tooth to bond to. Missing teeth can be replaced with dental implants or a bridge.
• Teeth with extensive damage. When a lot of tooth structure is gone, a dental crown covers and protects the whole tooth. For a front tooth, read crown or veneer for a front tooth.

Veneers in Timonium, MD: what makes them look natural

A good veneer shouldn’t announce itself. Ultra-thin porcelain stays naturally translucent and shiny, like natural enamel, once bonded, and Dr. Haywood insists on a natural, never-fake look. At the practice:

• Every cosmetic evaluation includes a before-and-after preview on the cosmetic imaging computer.
• You receive a “test drive” set of veneers to evaluate before the final set is made.
• Porcelain veneers are hand-crafted in the USA by master ceramists.
• Veneers are warrantied for one full year.

Dr. Haywood trained in cosmetic dentistry at New York University’s Aesthetic Continuum, was selected to perform an extreme smile makeover on ABC, and has been featured in the Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Magazine and New Beauty Magazine.

Coming from Baltimore or Towson for veneers

Patients come to the Timonium office for veneers from Baltimore, Towson and Hunt Valley as well as Timonium. Because the practice offers veneers, whitening, bonding, crowns, Invisalign and gum treatment in one place, a plan that combines several of them doesn’t mean going to several offices.

How many veneers do you need?

It depends on what bothers you and how much of your smile shows. Some cases need only a few teeth; others treat more teeth for the best bite and overall look. A single discolored or chipped front tooth may be matched to its neighbors, while a smile with several concerns may benefit from a planned set. Your preview shows the difference before you decide.

What veneers cost

Every case is unique, so your fee is set after an assessment. Porcelain generally costs more than resin bonding, but it looks more natural, doesn’t break as easily and won’t stain or wear. Payment options, financing and pre-payment discounts are available, and staging treatment can help if you use a flex spending account.

The practice is out of network with all dental insurance providers: you pay at the time of your visit, and the office files the claim so your plan can reimburse you for whatever it covers. HSA and flex plans are welcome, and financing is available through CareCredit, with no-interest options up to 12 months, and Cherry, with plans from 3 to 24 months. See financing options.

Frequently asked questions

Can veneers fix crooked teeth?

Veneers can make mildly crooked teeth look straighter without braces. They don’t move teeth, so significant crowding or bite problems may need Invisalign or braces first.

Can I get a veneer on just one tooth?

Yes, a single veneer can work when it is matched carefully to the teeth around it. Sometimes bonding or a crown suits a single tooth better.

Will veneers keep my teeth white?

Porcelain resists stains better than natural teeth, so veneers stay bright. Your natural teeth can still darken, so whitening them routinely keeps everything matched.

How long do porcelain veneers last?

With appropriate home care and professional care, porcelain veneers can last for decades. See how to care for porcelain veneers.

Find out what veneers can fix for you

A smile evaluation will show which of your concerns veneers can solve and which are better handled another way. Request an appointment or call (410) 453-9399. Dr. Haywood’s office is at 108 W Timonium Rd, Ste 200, Timonium, MD 21093. Learn more about porcelain veneers in Timonium.