Porcelain Veneers Washington, DC

You shouldn’t have to hide your smile. Porcelain veneers in Washington, DC are the premier solution for patients who want to permanently correct discoloration, gaps, or wear. But not all veneers are created equal.

At Slate Dental, we reject the industry standard of “flat, opaque” teeth. We partner with master ceramists to hand-layer LiSi Press porcelain, ensuring your result has the warmth, translucency, and vitality of natural enamel.

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What Exactly Are Porcelain Veneers?

Think of a veneer as a new “face” for your tooth. It is a razor-thin shell of medical-grade ceramic that is bonded to the front surface of your natural tooth.

Unlike a crown (which covers the entire tooth), a veneer preserves most of your natural tooth structure while instantly correcting:

• Deep Discoloration: For stains that professional whitening cannot lift.
• Structural Wear: Chipped edges or worn-down teeth that make you look older. (See our recent case study on restoring worn teeth).
• Spacing Issues: Gaps (diastemas) or minor misalignments.

Because porcelain is non-porous, your veneers will never stain. They will remain the same bright shade of white for their entire lifespan, even if you drink coffee or red wine.

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The 5-Step “Blueprint” Protocol

We don’t guess with your smile. We follow a rigorous 5-step engineering process to ensure the aesthetics and function are perfect before the final porcelain is ever bonded.

Step 1: High-Fidelity Data Gathering

While we utilize digital technology, we believe the foundation of a restoration starts with physical precision. We take traditional physical impressions of your teeth to capture the finest details of your gum line and bite. We then create a physical model and scan that to build your digital smile design on a flawless foundation.

Step 2: The “Visual” Try-In (The Mock-Up)

This is the “Magic” step. Before we touch your teeth with a drill, we translate our design into a resin composite material. We layer this temporary material over your existing teeth. You get to stand up, look in the mirror, and see your future smile instantly. We take photos and videos so you can see how the new shape affects your face and speech.

Step 3: The “Functional” Prototype (Preparation)

Once you approve the look, we move to the engineering phase. To ensure the veneers don’t look bulky, we must prepare the teeth by removing a small amount of structure. This is an irreversible process. We then place highly aesthetic prototypes (temporaries) on your prepared teeth. You will wear these home to “test drive” the function—eating, speaking, and living with your new smile design.

Step 4: The Perfectionist Phase (Re-Evaluation)

(Optional but Recommended)
We don’t rush to the finish line. After you have worn the prototypes, we bring you back for a re-evaluation. We take final impressions of the prototypes in your mouth to capture exactly how your bite has adapted. This ensures the master ceramist replicates not just the look, but the comfortable function you’ve grown used to.

Step 5: The Delivery

Your final LiSi Press veneers arrive. Dr. Slate removes the prototypes and bonds the final porcelain to your teeth. Because we “measured twice and cut once,” the result is a seamless, stain-resistant smile that feels like it has always been there.

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Cost of Porcelain Veneers in Washington, DC

We believe in radical transparency. For patients seeking porcelain veneers in Washington, DC, our fees for high-quality LiSi Press veneers typically start at $2,400 per tooth.

Does this price change? The base fee is consistent, but total treatment cost may vary based on clinical complexity. For example, if a tooth has existing decay, cracks, or severe damage, a Core Build-Up may be required to restore the tooth’s structure before the veneer can be placed.

*Fees are subject to change. A formal, binding treatment plan will be provided at your consultation. View our financing options here.

What Are the Risks? (Honest Answers)

Is the process reversible?
No. To create a natural emergence profile (where the tooth comes out of the gum) and avoid a “bulky” look, we must remove a thin layer of enamel. Once this is done, the tooth will always require a veneer or restoration. This is why Step 2 (The Mock-Up) is so critical—it allows you to be 100% sure before we proceed to the irreversible Step 3.

Can they chip?
Porcelain is strong, but not indestructible. If you grind your teeth or bite into ice, they can chip just like natural teeth. If you are a grinder, we will provide a custom night guard to protect your investment.