Porcelain Veneers in Chicago
Custom porcelain veneers, undetectable and built to last. By cosmetic dentist Dr. Brittany Dickinson, Lakeview Chicago.
100+
Smile Transformations
★★★★★
4.9 on Google
What Are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin shells of custom-crafted ceramic, bonded to the front surface of your teeth to refine their shape, color, length, and proportion. Done well, they look completely natural — because they're designed to. The translucency, edge variation, and shade are calibrated to your face, not a Hollywood template.
Veneers are one of the most transformative cosmetic dental treatments available, and one of the most permanent. That's why how they're designed — and who designs them — matters more than any other decision you'll make about your smile.
What Porcelain Veneers Can Correct
Worn or chipped edges
Discoloration that doesn't respond to whitening
Gaps or uneven spacing
Small, peg-shaped, or asymmetrical teeth
Mild crowding or rotation (when alignment correction isn't needed first)
Old, discolored bonding or composite work
The overall shape, length, or proportion of your smile
Are You a Candidate for Porcelain Veneers?
The honest answer is: maybe. Veneers are the most transformative cosmetic option available — but they're not the right answer for everyone, and they shouldn't be sold to everyone. Part of my job is telling you when something smaller would get you a better result. Here's how I think about it.
Porcelain Veneers Are Likely Right for You If...
Your teeth are healthy, but worn, chipped, or aesthetically uneven
You have discoloration that doesn't respond to whitening
You have old bonding or composite work that's discolored or breaking down
You have small, peg-shaped, or asymmetrical teeth that affect how your smile looks
You want a transformation that's noticeable but still looks like you
You're committed to wearing a nightguard to protect your investment long-term
Veneers May Not Be the Right Answer If...
Whitening alone could give you the result you want (let's start there)
You have moderate to severe crowding that should be corrected with Invisalign first for the most conservative outcome
Your concerns are limited to one or two small chips — cosmetic bonding may be a more conservative option
You grind your teeth and aren't open to wearing a nightguard
You have active gum disease or untreated cavities (these need to be addressed before any cosmetic work)
The most important step is the consultation — where we map out exactly what your smile needs, and what it doesn't. No upselling, no pressure.
The Smile Design Process
Every veneer case follows the same four-step process — designed to give you complete clarity, a real preview, and zero surprises before any porcelain is bonded.
Consultation & Smile Design
We start with a conversation about what's been bothering you, what you actually want your smile to look like, and what "natural" means to you. I take detailed photographs of your face, your smile at rest, and your full laugh — then design a personalized plan that uses only the treatments you need.
Many veneer cases also benefit from laser gum contouring — reshaping the gum line in conjunction with the veneers is often what makes the final smile look refined rather than overbuilt. Learn more about gum contouring →
Wax-Up & Smile Preview
For most veneer cases, I create a custom wax-up — a physical model of your proposed smile, designed before any tooth is touched. We try the design in your mouth as a temporary mock-up so you can see it, feel it, and live with it for a few days before committing. This is the moment most patients exhale.
Conservative Preparation & Temporary Veneers
Once you approve the design, I prepare your teeth using a minimally invasive technique — removing only what's absolutely necessary to allow the porcelain to bond beautifully and last. Temporary veneers protect your teeth and let you preview your final smile in real life while your permanent veneers are crafted by a master ceramist.
Final Placement & Refinement
Your custom porcelain veneers are bonded by me — not a tech, not an assistant. The dentist who designed your smile is the dentist placing it. We refine fit, contact, and bite together. You walk out with the smile you previewed, refined to fit your face exactly.
The wax-up and smile preview are why patients leave my chair confident — not nervous. By the time we bond porcelain, every meaningful decision has already been made.
The Investment
Most cosmetic dentists won't publish veneer pricing on their website — but I will, because you deserve to know the range before you walk through the door. Veneers are an investment, and the right plan depends on how many teeth show when you smile, what shape your existing teeth are in, and what you actually want the final result to look like. Here's the honest range at Chicago Aesthetic Dentistry.
TIER 1 · SINGLE VENEER
For correcting one tooth — a chip, single discolored tooth, or peg-shaped lateral.
~$2,200
TIER 2 · FOUR VENEERS
The most common cosmetic refresh. Ideal when your back teeth are healthy and only the front needs refinement.
~$8,800
MOST POPULAR
TIER 3 · FULL UPPER SMILE
A complete upper-arch redesign of 8–12 veneers, custom-designed to your smile line.
$18,000 – $25,000
TIER 4 · UPPER + LOWER MAKEOVER
A full redesign of both arches. Often combined with Invisalign or whitening as part of a complete smile transformation.
$35,000 – $50,000+
Add-Ons & Protections
Custom Wax-Up & Smile Preview — Approximately $1,000 Included in most veneer plans. A physical model of your proposed smile, designed before any tooth is touched, so you see and approve your final look in advance.
Custom Nightguard — Approximately $900 Recommended for every veneer patient. Protects your investment from grinding and dramatically extends the lifespan of your veneers.
A More Conservative Alternative: No-Prep Hybrid Veneers
For the right candidate — typically patients with small, worn upper teeth and minimal existing dental work — no-prep hybrid veneers can transform a full upper smile starting around $8,000, with little to no enamel removal. Not every patient is a candidate, but if you're prioritizing conservation of natural tooth structure, this option is worth discussing at your consultation.
The right plan for you depends on what your teeth actually need — and what you actually want. At your Smile Design Consultation, you'll get a clear, itemized estimate before any treatment begins. No surprises, no pressure, no upselling.
Real Smile Transformations
Every smile below is a real patient — designed for their face, not a trend. Each case combines artistry with conservation of natural tooth structure.
Why Patients Choose Dr. Dickinson for Porcelain Veneers in Chicago
AACD Membership
A proud member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry — an elite organization representing the highest standards in cosmetic dental work.
100+ Smile Transformations
Every smile is designed for the patient's face, never to a trend or a template. Over 100 transformations and counting.
Honest Consultations
"Dr. Brittany is exceptional. Her work is not only beautiful but also incredibly natural, which I truly appreciate. She is honest, and I have complete trust in her professional judgment."
Client Reviews
"Dr. Brittany is exceptional. Her work is not only beautiful but also incredibly natural, which I truly appreciate. She is honest, and I have complete trust in her professional judgment."
— Phoebe M."Going to the dentist is a pleasant experience. Dr. Dickinson does beautiful work. She is highly skilled. Best of all she has a very gentle touch."
— Roberta K. "I used to be shy to smile, embarrassed by my crooked discolored teeth but now since I've had treatment, my smile is back with sparkling straight teeth!"
— Fran C. Ready to see what's possible for your smile?
Frequently Asked Questions
-
$2,200–$3,000 per veneer. Full upper smile packages run approximately $18,000–$25,000, and full upper + lower around $35,000–$50,000+. Most patients do 4, 8, or 10 upper veneers. We offer CareCredit financing with low- to no-interest options.
-
Properly placed porcelain veneers last 10–15 years with routine care, and many last longer. Porcelain doesn't absorb stain, doesn't require polishing appointments, and holds its shade for the life of the veneer. Wearing a nightguard dramatically extends their lifespan.
-
No — but poorly done veneers can. The technique your dentist uses, how much enamel they remove, and how precisely each veneer is placed determines whether your smile is enhanced for decades or compromised for life. My approach: preserve every micron of natural tooth we can.
-
Most patients experience minimal discomfort. Local anesthesia is used during the preparation appointment to ensure complete comfort, and sedation dentistry is available for patients with dental anxiety.
-
Yes — when they're designed for your face. Every veneer I place is custom-crafted by a master ceramist to your specifications, then bonded and hand-polished for a natural emergence at the gum line. The best veneers don't look like veneers. They look like the smile you were always meant to have.
-
Traditional porcelain veneers and no-prep hybrid veneers are for different patients. Porcelain is for patients who want a brighter, younger, longer-lasting result — particularly when there's wear, chipping, or staining to address. No-prep is for patients with small upper teeth who want a conservative, lower-cost refresh and are comfortable with shorter longevity and periodic maintenance.
-
Yes. We use a custom wax-up and an in-mouth mock-up to design and preview your new smile before any tooth is prepared. If your dentist can't show you what your new smile will look like, you shouldn't move forward.
-
You can do one. Many patients only treat a single discolored or chipped tooth, and we color-match it precisely to your surrounding teeth. For the most harmonious result on a smile makeover, we typically recommend treating the visible "smile zone" — usually 4, 8, or 10 upper teeth.
Meet Dr. Brittany Dickinson
I'm a cosmetic dentist in Lakeview, Chicago, and I design smiles that look effortless — never obvious. Every detail is intentional, from the shape of each tooth to how it fits your face, your features, and the way you naturally express yourself.
My goal is never to give you a "veneers look." It's to create something that feels like you — just more refined, more balanced, and more confident.
I'm a proud member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). I've turned down veneer cases when they weren't right for the patient. I'd rather have you leave my consultation with the right plan than the easy one.
Ready to Start?
A consultation with me is not a sales pitch. We'll evaluate your smile, talk through your goals honestly, and design a plan that fits your face, your timing, and your budget. No pressure. Just clarity.
Prefer to book directly?
Pick a time that works for you and book online.