If you are thinking about porcelain veneers and wondering: How white should you go? Picking the wrong white shade for your porcelain veneers can lead to a smile that looks fake or mismatched. If you pick the right shade, you can improve your confidence and feel completely normal again.
Here is everything you need to know before choosing the shade of porcelain veneers near you.
Why Should I Talk to a Dentist Before Choosing Veneer Shades?
A professional dentist in NW Calgary will help you in selecting the shade that works best for your smile. They will examine:
- Your natural tooth colour
- Skin tone and face shape
- How many veneers are you getting
- Whether you’re whitening other teeth
A good dentist will ensure that your porcelain veneers will match your overall appearance, not just your teeth.
What Are the Different Porcelain Veneer Colour Options?
Dentists have a shade guide that has dozens of pieces of porcelain veneer colour grouped into families:
- A Shades – Reddish-brown (natural tones)
- B Shades – Reddish-yellow (common bright look)
- C Shades – Grey shades
- D Shades – Reddish-grey (used less often)
Your dentist will be able to assist you in narrowing down and finalizing the shades based on your features and preferred end goals.
What’s the Best Veneer Shade for a Natural Look?
The best veneer shade for a natural look is one that’s close to your current teeth but slightly brighter. Most people want veneers that look clean, not fake. Consider these tips:
- Choose a shade 1–2 levels lighter than your natural teeth
- Avoid ultra-white shades unless they suit your skin tone
- Look at veneer samples in natural lighting
- A natural smile is often more timeless than an overly bright one.
How Does a Tooth Shade Guide Help Me Choose?
A tooth shade guide for veneers lets you compare different shades in real life. Your dentist may place the guide next to your teeth or use digital mock-ups to preview your smile.
The shade of your teeth can be impacted due to:
- Skin tone: Fairer skin pairs well with brighter whites; warmer skin tones match ivory shades better.
- Lip shade: Lip shade or lipstick can impact the overall look of your teeth.
- Lighting: Before choosing your shade, always check veneer shades in natural daylight.
A custom shade ensures your veneers blend well with your smile.
Can I Change My Veneer Shade Later?
No, after your veneers are made and bonded to the teeth, their shade cannot be changed; that is why it’s so important to choose carefully.
If you’re planning teeth whitening, do it before your veneers are made so the colour matches.
Choose What Makes You Confident
Porcelain veneers are a lasting investment. Don’t rush to decide. You don’t have to take the time to review samples, ask questions, and find a dentist who understands cosmetic smile design.
Are you Ready for Veneers? If you’re wondering how to choose a shade, we will help you! At Sage Hill Dental, our cosmetic team will educate you on shade options for the proper fit and ultimately make sure your veneers look beautiful and natural.
Book your consultation today and take the first step toward your best smile.
FAQs
Q1. How white should my veneers be?
Your veneers should be 1–2 shades lighter than your natural teeth for a brighter but still natural look. Ultra-white veneers can sometimes appear fake unless they match your skin tone and smile.
Q2. Will my veneers match my other teeth?
Yes, if getting just a few veneers, they’re going to match them to your surrounding natural teeth. If you do a full smile makeover, the entire set would be colour-matched to be consistent.
Q3. Can I whiten veneers after they are placed?
No, veneers do not respond to whitening products. This is why you should whiten your natural teeth first before determining your veneer shade.
Q4. Does skin tone affect which veneer shade I should pick?
Yes. People with fairer skin usually look better with whiter, brighter shades, and people with warmer or darker pigmented skin/tones usually prefer ivory or slightly darker shades to look balanced.
