PORCELAIN VENEERS · BETHESDA, MD

Change what you notice about your smile — without changing what makes it yours.

Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made ceramic shells bonded to the front of selected teeth to change their visible shape, color, proportions or symmetry. They can address several cosmetic concerns at once while preserving a natural-looking smile.

The goal isn’t a “veneer smile.” It’s a smile that looks like it belongs to you.

WHAT VENEERS CAN CHANGE

Six smile details porcelain veneers can reshape at the same time.

Veneers are versatile because the ceramic covers the visible front surface of the tooth. That allows us to plan more than color alone — but only after making sure the underlying teeth and gums are healthy.

Stubborn discoloration

When a tooth’s color doesn’t respond predictably to whitening, porcelain can mask the visible discoloration instead of trying to bleach it away.

Small chips & worn edges

Veneers can rebuild the visible contour of selected front teeth when minor chips or wear make the smile look uneven.

Uneven tooth shapes

A tooth that looks too short, narrow, irregular or misshapen can be redesigned to fit more naturally with the teeth around it.

Small spaces between teeth

Selected gaps can sometimes be visually closed by carefully changing the width and proportions of the neighboring teeth.

Minor visual misalignment

Slightly crooked or irregular-looking teeth can sometimes be visually balanced with veneers when orthodontic movement isn’t the treatment goal.

A smile that feels inconsistent

When several visible teeth differ in color, length or proportion, veneers can help create a more cohesive appearance across the smile.

Sometimes the concern isn’t one tooth — it’s how several small details work together.

Veneer ≠ crown.

A veneer covers primarily the visible front surface; a crown covers much more of the tooth.

WHAT A VENEER ACTUALLY IS

It covers the front of the tooth — it doesn’t replace the whole tooth.

A porcelain veneer is a thin, custom-made ceramic shell designed to cover the visible front surface of a tooth. That makes it fundamentally different from a dental crown, which surrounds much more of the tooth structure.

To create room for a porcelain veneer and a predictable bonding surface, a dentist generally removes a small amount of enamel from the front and sides of the tooth. An impression or digital scan is then used to create a restoration tailored to that specific tooth.

That also means veneers deserve thoughtful planning. Once enamel has been removed, the treatment is not considered reversible, and the veneer itself may eventually need repair, rebonding or replacement if it chips, loosens or wears over time.

HOW MUCH DO YOU ACTUALLY WANT TO CHANGE?

One tooth, a few teeth or the visible smile.

Veneer treatment doesn’t automatically mean covering every tooth you can see. The number of teeth should follow the cosmetic problem we’re solving.

Single-Tooth Veneer

One veneer can be used to blend a visibly chipped, misshapen or discolored tooth more naturally with the teeth around it. Bethesda Dental Group specifically presents veneers as an option for isolated concerns such as a chipped or cracked tooth.

Multiple Veneers

Several neighboring veneers can coordinate shape, length, shade and spacing when the cosmetic concern affects more than one visible tooth.

Veneers Within a Smile Plan

Sometimes veneers are only one part of the answer. Whitening, orthodontics, bonding or other restorative treatment may make more sense for certain teeth, while veneers are reserved for the ones that need a change in visible shape or surface.

YOUR VENEERS · STEP BY STEP

Design first. Prepare precisely. Bond only when everything looks right.

We evaluate your teeth, gums, bite, existing dental work and cosmetic goals, then plan the shade, shape and number of teeth involved. Existing decay or gum disease should be addressed before veneer treatment.

A small amount of enamel is typically prepared where needed, and an impression or digital scan records the tooth precisely so the porcelain restoration can be custom made. A temporary veneer may be used while the final ceramic is being completed.

Before final bonding, the veneer is checked for fit, shape and appearance. Once the details are right, the tooth is cleaned and the porcelain veneer is bonded securely into position.

What patients say

200 reasons to choose us.

We don't ask you to trust us. We let our patients do the talking.

Veneers are a long-term cosmetic decision. The payment doesn’t have to happen all at once.

Because porcelain veneers are generally considered cosmetic treatment, insurance coverage may be limited unless there is a qualifying clinical reason. Cherry, Sunbit, Proceed and Care Credit financing is available for eligible treatment with no hard credit check · approval in seconds · and plans from 3 to 24 months.

You don’t need a different smile. You may just want this one refined.

If the color, shape, spacing or proportions of your front teeth are what keep catching your eye, let’s determine whether porcelain veneers — or a more conservative alternative — make sense for what you want to change.