Veneers in Washington, PA
Porcelain veneers can fix in two appointments what years of whitening, bonding, and orthodontics never could. Enhanced Wellness offers custom dental veneers in Washington, PA — ultra-thin porcelain shells that cover the front of your teeth and transform your smile completely. Dr. Elizabeth Wakim designs every case with a single goal: results that look completely natural.
What Are Veneers — and What Can They Fix?
Dental veneers are ultra-thin shells of porcelain — about the thickness of a contact lens — custom-made to bond permanently to the front surface of your teeth. They cover whatever is underneath: stains that won't whiten, chips, cracks, gaps, misshapen teeth, and uneven length. The result is a complete smile transformation using a treatment that's minimally invasive and reversible in terms of tooth preparation.
Veneers are often called "instant orthodontics" because they can close gaps, correct the appearance of mild crowding or misalignment, and create symmetry — in two appointments, without months of braces. They're also the go-to solution for stains that don't respond to whitening, like those from tetracycline antibiotics or old restorations.
Dr. Wakim approaches veneer cases as an art form. Shade selection, shape design, and length are all tailored to your facial proportions, your skin tone, and your preferences — not a stock template. The goal is a smile that looks like yours, just better.
Severe or Stubborn Staining
Tetracycline staining, fluorosis, internal discoloration from trauma or root canals — the kinds of stains whitening can't touch.
Chipped or Worn Teeth
Chips, cracks, and teeth worn down from grinding or acidic erosion are fully restored with a veneer that matches surrounding teeth.
Gaps Between Teeth
Diastemas (gaps) can be closed with veneers that are subtly widened to fill the space without looking unnatural.
Misshapen or Uneven Teeth
Teeth that are too short, too narrow, pointy, or irregularly shaped are reshaped with a veneer that creates beautiful symmetry.
Minor Crowding or Misalignment
Slightly overlapping or rotated teeth can be visually corrected with veneers — no braces required for mild cases.
Old Discolored Fillings
Large composite fillings in front teeth that have yellowed or don't match can be covered for a uniform, natural appearance.
Types of Veneers at Enhanced Wellness
Dr. Wakim offers three types of veneers. The right choice depends on how much correction is needed, your timeline, and your budget.
Porcelain Veneers
Custom-fabricated in a dental lab from high-quality dental porcelain. The gold standard — most durable, most natural-looking, most stain-resistant. Requires minimal enamel preparation.
Visits: 2
Composite Veneers
Applied directly to the tooth in a single visit using composite resin. More affordable and reversible. Great for minor corrections or patients wanting to try the look first.
Visits: 1
No-Prep / Minimal-Prep Veneers
Ultra-thin porcelain veneers that require little to no removal of tooth enamel. Best for patients with smaller teeth or those wanting a completely reversible option.
Visits: 2
| Porcelain | Composite | No-Prep | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural appearance | Excellent | Very good | Excellent |
| Stain resistance | ✓ High | Moderate | ✓ High |
| Enamel removed | Minimal (0.3–0.5mm) | None | Little to none |
| Longevity | 10–20+ years | 5–7 years | 10–15 years |
| Cost | $$$ | $$ | $$$ |
| Best for | Significant transformations | Minor corrections, budget | Smaller teeth, reversibility |
What to Expect at Enhanced Wellness
Getting porcelain veneers at Enhanced Wellness is a two-appointment process. Dr. Wakim takes her time on the design phase — getting the shape, size, and shade right before anything is permanently placed.
Smile Consultation & Design
Dr. Wakim examines your teeth and gums, discusses your goals in detail, and creates a treatment plan. She'll talk you through shade selection and shape options — and show you what's possible. This is the most important conversation of the whole process.
~45–60 minutesTooth Preparation & Impressions
A very thin layer of enamel (about 0.3–0.5mm — less than the thickness of a fingernail) is removed from the front surface of each tooth. Digital impressions are taken and sent to the dental lab. Temporary veneers are placed so you leave looking great while your permanent ones are being crafted.
~90 minutes · 2 week lab timePlacement & Bonding
Your custom porcelain veneers are tried in, checked for color, fit, and bite, and then permanently bonded to your teeth with dental cement. Dr. Wakim makes any final refinements to ensure you leave completely satisfied. This appointment is when you see your new smile for the first time.
~60–90 minutesFollow-Up
A brief follow-up a few weeks later lets Dr. Wakim check the fit, comfort, and bite. Most patients need no adjustments — but it's a chance to ask questions and make any minor refinements while the veneers are still new.
~20 minutesVeneers vs. Other Cosmetic Options
Veneers aren't always the right answer — and Dr. Wakim will tell you when they're not. Here's how they compare to the alternatives:
| Concern | Whitening | Bonding | Veneers | Crowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surface staining | ✓ | Partial | ✓ | Overkill |
| Tetracycline / deep stains | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chipped tooth | ✗ | Small chips | ✓ | Large damage |
| Gaps / spacing | ✗ | Minor | ✓ | Unnecessary |
| Tooth shape / size | ✗ | Minor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Preserves tooth structure | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓ | Significant removal |
| Longevity | 1–3 yrs | 5–7 yrs | 10–20+ yrs | 10–15 yrs |
What Do Veneers Cost?
- Veneers are cosmetic and not covered by dental insurance
- FSA/HSA funds can often be used toward veneers
- Financing options available through CareCredit — ask our team
- If a veneer also restores a damaged tooth, partial insurance coverage may apply
- Dr. Wakim provides a detailed cost estimate at your consultation — no surprises
How to Make Your Veneers Last
Porcelain veneers are durable and low-maintenance — but they're not indestructible. With simple precautions they can last 15–20+ years.
✓ Brush and floss normally
Veneers don't require special cleaning. Brush twice a day with a soft-bristled brush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Floss daily — veneers are bonded to teeth, not each other.
✓ Wear a nightguard if you grind
Grinding is one of the fastest ways to damage veneers. If you clench or grind at night, Dr. Wakim will fit you with a custom nightguard to protect your investment.
✓ Keep up with cleanings
Regular professional cleanings keep the gums around your veneers healthy. Gum recession can expose the veneer margin over time — good hygiene prevents this.
✗ Don't bite hard objects
Avoid using your veneered teeth to bite nails, open packages, crack ice, or chew very hard foods. The bonding is strong but not designed for those forces.
✗ Avoid staining drinks in excess
Porcelain is highly stain-resistant but the cement at the veneer margins isn't. Heavy coffee, tea, and wine consumption can cause marginal staining over time.
✗ Don't use abrasive toothpaste
Whitening toothpastes with abrasive particles can dull the polish of porcelain over time. Use a standard non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste instead.
Trusted by Washington, PA for 15+ Years
Dr. Elizabeth Wakim has been creating beautiful smiles across Washington County for over 15 years. Veneers are one of her favorite treatments — because when done well, the results are genuinely life-changing for patients who've been hiding their smile for years. She takes a conservative approach: recommending veneers only when they're genuinely the best solution, and always designing them to look like natural teeth, not a TV smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Transform Your Smile With Veneers in Washington, PA
Two appointments. Results that last 15+ years. Call Enhanced Wellness to find out if veneers are right for you.