Porcelain veneers designed around your face, not a template
We preview your new smile in 3D before any tooth is touched, then hand-layer porcelain so it reflects light like natural enamel. Conservative prep, natural result.
What veneers fix well, and what they do not
A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain bonded to the front of a tooth. They work well for teeth discolored in a way whitening will not shift, chipped or worn at the edges, small or oddly shaped, or set with gaps you would rather close. They also even out teeth sitting slightly out of line with their neighbors.
They are a poor answer to some problems. Significantly crowded or rotated teeth are usually better moved first, and our orthodontist Dr. Boback can tell you whether a short course of alignment would let us remove far less tooth structure. Active gum disease has to be treated before any cosmetic work, which is where our periodontist comes in. A collapsed or heavily worn bite needs the bite rebuilt, not a cosmetic shell laid over the symptom.
If your enamel is intact and shade is the only issue, whitening on its own may get you where you want to be. We will say so.
Designing a smile that fits your face
Design starts before any tooth is touched. We take photos, video of you talking and smiling, a digital scan and a record of how your teeth meet. From that we build a 3D design that sets tooth length, width, the curve of the edges against your lower lip, and how much tooth shows when you speak versus when you smile fully.
You see that design before we commit to it. In many cases we can convert it into a temporary mock-up placed straight onto your teeth, so you can look at it in a mirror, in daylight, and show it to someone whose opinion you care about. If the teeth feel too long, too square or too bright, that is the moment to change them, while nothing is permanent.
Shade is chosen with you present rather than picked off a chart. Natural enamel is not one flat color, so we match translucency at the edge and warmth near the gum, not just a base shade.
Preparation, temporaries and the fitting visit
Preparation is conservative and guided by the design you approved, so we shape only what the porcelain needs in order to sit flush and look natural rather than bulky. Minimal-prep veneers, where very little or no enamel is reduced, suit some cases and not others, and the design stage is what tells us which one you are.
Teeth are numbed for preparation, and most people find this stage easier than they expected. We scan the prepared teeth and place temporaries that follow the design, so you leave with teeth that look like teeth and get to test the shape in real life.
Your ceramist hand-layers the porcelain rather than milling a single block of one flat color, which is what lets it catch light the way enamel does. At the fitting visit we try the veneers in, check the shade against your face, adjust the bite, then bond them and book a follow-up check.
Looking after veneers day to day
Porcelain does not stain the way natural enamel does, but the teeth and bonding margins around it can, so coffee, red wine and tobacco still matter. Brush and floss normally, including between the veneers, since the tooth underneath and the gum margin are where problems begin.
If you clench or grind, a night guard is not optional. Porcelain is strong under even pressure and vulnerable to sharp point loads, and grinding is the most common reason a veneer chips. We scan for a guard at the same appointment when grinding is part of the picture.
Skip the habits that break teeth in general: biting nails, chewing ice, opening packaging with your front teeth. Keep your regular cleanings, and tell the hygienist you have veneers so the right instruments and polishing paste are used.
If a veneer chips or comes loose, do not glue it. Keep the piece, call us, and bring it in. Saturday appointments are available for checks and cleanings.
Cost, insurance and financing
Porcelain veneers start at $1,200 per tooth. Composite veneers, shaped directly on the tooth, start at $350 per tooth and are a reasonable option when budget matters more than longevity. Minimal-prep veneers and smile design are quoted after your consultation, since the number of teeth involved and the condition of what sits underneath change the plan. The consultation is free.
Most veneer work is considered cosmetic, so dental insurance usually does not cover it. Where a tooth also needs treatment for a real problem, such as a large old filling failing under a front tooth, part of the work may be claimable. We verify your benefits for free and tell you honestly which parts are likely to be covered and which are not.
You get a written quote before treatment, itemized per tooth. Financing is available through Cherry, Affirm and Sunbit, and there is an in-house membership plan. Some people restore the upper front teeth first and phase the rest later.
Treatments & pricing
Porcelain veneers
Hand-layered ceramic shells bonded to the front of teeth. 10-20 year lifespan, highly stain-resistant.
Minimal-prep veneers
Ultra-conservative veneers that remove little to no enamel for the right candidates.
Composite veneers
Same-day, reversible veneers built up directly on the tooth. A lower-cost entry point.
Smile design
3D-planned makeover that maps the final shape, length, and shade before fabrication.
Prices are estimates for self-pay patients before insurance. Insurance reduces costs significantly. Financing available - most patients qualify in minutes via Cherry or Sunbit.
The specialists who handle this work
Frequently asked
How much do veneers cost in Houston?
Porcelain veneers at Omega start at $1,200 per tooth. Most patients do 6-10 veneers across the smile zone. We design the result in 3D first so you preview the final look before any tooth is prepped, and we give you an exact, itemized quote at your consultation.
What's the difference between porcelain and composite veneers?
Porcelain veneers are lab-made ceramic shells that last 10-20 years and resist staining best. Composite veneers are built up on the tooth the same day, cost less, and are reversible, but they stain more and last a shorter time. We help you choose based on your goals and budget.
Do veneers ruin your natural teeth?
No. For traditional porcelain veneers a thin layer of enamel is removed so the veneer sits flush, which makes them permanent - you'd replace them at end-of-life like a crown. For the right candidate we offer minimal-prep veneers that remove little to no enamel. We always use the most conservative prep your case allows.
How long do porcelain veneers last?
Well-made porcelain veneers typically last 10-20 years. Longevity depends on your bite, hygiene, and whether you grind your teeth - we'll recommend a night guard if grinding is a risk. When a veneer reaches end-of-life it's replaced much like a crown.
How many visits do veneers take?
Most porcelain veneer cases take two visits: one to design and prep, and one to bond the final veneers, usually a couple of weeks apart. We fabricate a temporary mock-up so you can wear and approve the new smile before the permanent veneers are made. Composite veneers are often completed in a single visit.
Related specialties
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Book a consultation. We'll walk you through your options, your costs, and your timeline - no pressure.