Cory's Porcelain Veneers: The Smile She Finally Wanted to Show
Clinically Reviewed by Brennan Bonati, DDS — Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry
Before
After
| Patient | Cory, 30s, online influencer |
| Chief Complaint | Embarrassed to smile fully — avoided showing teeth on camera and in photos |
| Treatment | 10 E.max porcelain veneers, upper arch |
| Material | E.max (lithium disilicate porcelain) |
| Shade | B1 |
| Pre-Treatment | None |
| Investment | $20,000 |
| Appointments | 5 visits |
| Location | Lakewood, Colorado |
| Clinical Reviewer | Dr. Brennan Bonati, DDS |
Cory's Story
Cory was in her 30s and worked as an online influencer — her face was on camera constantly. But there was a pattern in her content that she was aware of: she never fully smiled. She would smile with her lips closed, or with just a hint of teeth, but never the full open smile that lights up a face on screen. She was embarrassed about her teeth — the color, the shape, the way they looked when she smiled fully — and she had been compensating for it for years.
She came in wanting a whiter, fuller smile that she could show confidently on camera. She wanted to be able to smile without thinking about it.
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
The Treatment Plan
Ten E.max porcelain veneers on the upper arch in shade B1. E.max was selected for its combination of strength and natural translucency — the material has optical properties that closely mimic natural tooth enamel, which was important for Cory's goal of a result that looked genuinely beautiful rather than obviously cosmetic. Shade B1 delivers a bright, clean white that photographs and films well without looking artificial under studio lighting or natural light.
The case was completed in 5 appointments over approximately 4 to 5 weeks. Cory wore temporary veneers during the laboratory fabrication period, which allowed her to preview the smile design before the final restorations were delivered.
Clinical Insight
Cory's case is representative of one of the most common presentations in cosmetic dentistry: a patient who has been compensating for their smile for years without realizing the full extent of the impact it has had on their daily life. The guarded smile, the closed-mouth photos, the careful positioning in group pictures — these are all adaptations that patients develop unconsciously, and they often do not fully appreciate how much energy they spend managing their smile until after treatment, when they no longer have to.
For patients in Cory's situation — no severe structural issues, primarily cosmetic concerns about color and fullness — E.max veneers are the gold standard. The material is strong enough to last 15 to 20 years, natural enough to look like healthy teeth, and the treatment timeline is short enough that the disruption to daily life is minimal. The result is permanent in a way that whitening, bonding, or other conservative treatments are not.
The Result
Cory was very happy with the result. The before-and-after comparison tells the story clearly: in the before photo, she is holding back. In the after photo, she is not. The smile is full, open, and confident — the kind of smile that reads on camera exactly the way she had always wanted it to. She no longer had to think about how she was smiling.
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At a Glance
Embarrassed to smile fully — avoided showing teeth on camera for years despite working as an online influencer.
Strength, natural translucency, and longevity. Looks like healthy natural teeth on camera under any lighting.
10 E.max veneers, upper arch, shade B1. 5 appointments. $20,000.
Full, open, confident smile. Cory stopped compensating and started smiling.
Cory's transformation with E.max porcelain veneers showcases how these durable and esthetic restorations can create a fuller smile that suits high-visibility professions. Understanding who is an ideal candidate for porcelain veneers is crucial, as not every patient will benefit equally from this treatment. The investment involved is detailed in our porcelain veneers cost guide, which explains factors influencing pricing like material and number of veneers. This case is part of our broader porcelain veneers case gallery, providing real examples of outcomes. For patients curious about what veneers are and how they function, our introduction to veneers offers foundational knowledge.
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Related Reading
- Porcelain Veneers: What They Are and How They Work
- How Much Do Veneers Cost? The Complete Guide
- Am I a Candidate for Veneers?
- What to Expect During the Veneer Procedure
Frequently Asked Questions
A typical porcelain veneer case requires 3 to 4 appointments over 3 to 6 weeks: consultation, preparation and temporaries, and final bonding. Complex cases may require additional appointments for bite adjustments.
E.max (lithium disilicate) combines high strength with excellent translucency, making it the most popular material for anterior veneers. It resists staining, mimics natural tooth optics, and has documented survival rates exceeding 95% at 10 years.
The choice depends on your clinical situation. Porcelain is preferred for cases requiring significant color change, multiple teeth, or long-term durability. Composite works well for minor corrections, younger patients, or when reversibility is important.
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