Veneers are thin shells bonded to the front of your teeth to correct color, chips, gaps, and shape. At Dentistry Today in Huntsville, they are designed and placed by Dr. Leslie Barrilleaux, the only AACD-accredited cosmetic dentist in Alabama. Call 256-529-5179 to book a consultation.
Veneers are cosmetic work, and cosmetic work lives or dies on the eye of the person shaping them. Dr. Leslie Barrilleaux has been accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry since 1998, and she is the only AACD-accredited cosmetic dentist in the state of Alabama. Fewer than 600 dentists in the country hold that credential. It is not a weekend course. It takes years of case work, written exams, and a review of finished smiles by other accredited dentists.
What that means for you is simple. The person choosing the shade, shape, and proportion of your veneers has been judged on exactly that skill, by the people who set the standard for it. Dr. Barrilleaux has practiced for more than 25 years, and Dentistry Today runs its own lab on site, so the ceramist shaping your veneers works down the hall from the dentist placing them, not three states away.
Three things set the veneers here apart from a general dental office that also happens to offer them:
The goal is teeth that look like teeth. Right length, right translucency at the edge, right proportion to your lip line, not a flat white row that reads as fake across a room.
A veneer is a thin, custom shell that covers the front of a tooth. It hides discoloration that whitening cannot fix, closes small gaps, and reshapes teeth that are chipped, worn, or slightly crooked. The American Dental Association describes veneers as a routine cosmetic option for exactly these concerns (see the ADA’s patient guide to veneers). One veneer can repair a single chipped front tooth. A set of six to eight can redesign an entire smile.
There are two main types, and the difference matters for both your budget and how long they last.
| Porcelain veneers | Composite veneers | |
|---|---|---|
| Made from | Lab-crafted ceramic | Tooth-colored resin, shaped on the tooth |
| Visits | Usually two | Often one |
| Lifespan | 10 to 15 years or more | Around 5 to 7 years |
| Stain resistance | High | Lower, stains over time |
| Cost | Higher | More affordable |
| Best for | The most natural, long-term result | A faster, budget-friendly fix |
Many patients searching for “composite veneers near me” are really weighing cost against longevity. We fit both, and at your consultation we tell you honestly which suits your teeth, your goals, and your timeline. Sometimes the answer is a mix.
Traditional porcelain veneers need a small amount of enamel removed so the veneer sits flush and does not look bulky. How much depends on the position and shape of your natural teeth, and for some cases it is very little. We check this in person and remove only as much tooth structure as the result requires, no more.
For porcelain veneers the process is usually two visits. First, we plan the smile, take impressions or a digital scan, and lightly prepare the teeth. Our on-site lab then crafts the veneers to the shade and shape you approved, and you wear temporary veneers in the meantime so you are never without a smile. At the second visit we check the fit and color, then bond each veneer in place and polish it. Composite veneers are often done in one visit, shaped directly on the tooth. Most people feel no more than mild sensitivity for a few days.
Porcelain veneers commonly last 10 to 15 years, and many last longer. Composite veneers tend to last around 5 to 7 years. The biggest factor is you: veneers last longest for people who do not grind their teeth, who wear a nightguard if they do, and who keep up regular cleanings. Veneers do not decay, but the tooth underneath still can, so brushing and flossing still matter.
Veneers work best for people with healthy teeth and gums who want to fix color, chips, gaps, worn edges, or minor crowding. If your goal is a whiter, more even smile and your teeth are basically sound, you are likely a good candidate. The only way to be sure is an exam, because veneers are bonded to real teeth and those teeth need to be healthy first.
Veneers are not right for everyone, and being honest about that is part of doing them well. Active gum disease or untreated decay has to be handled first, because a veneer is only as sound as the tooth underneath it. Two conditions deserve special mention, because both affect whether veneers will last:
Veneers are priced per tooth, and the total depends on the material (porcelain or composite), how many teeth you treat, the complexity of your case, and the lab work involved. Nationally, porcelain veneers typically run about $900 to $2,500 per tooth, and composite veneers usually cost less (Forbes Health; the American Dental Association cites a similar $925 to $2,500 range). Those are national figures, not our quote. Because our lab is in-house, we control a cost most offices outsource. We give you an exact written price at your consultation, and since veneers are cosmetic, dental insurance usually does not cover them.
Book your veneers consultation · 256-529-5179
Veneers are often one piece of a larger plan. If your teeth are healthy and you mainly want them brighter, professional teeth whitening may be all you need. If a back tooth needs both strength and appearance, a same-day crown (including Emax ceramic crowns) is the better tool than a veneer. And if you are reshaping your whole smile, ask about a full smile makeover. You can see everything we offer under cosmetic dentistry in Huntsville. Call 256-529-5179 or contact our Huntsville office to plan your veneers.
Dentistry Today
7736 Madison Blvd, Suite #2
Huntsville, AL 35806
Phone: 256-529-5179
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
See more patient results on our reviews page.
This page is general information about veneers, not medical or dental advice, and reading it does not create a dentist-patient relationship. Individual results vary, and whether veneers are right for you can only be confirmed by an in-person exam. Any prices shown are typical national ranges, not a quote from Dentistry Today. Please consult Dr. Barrilleaux or a qualified dentist about your specific needs.
