Porcelain Veneers in Shreveport, Louisiana
Kerst & Caskey Family Dentistry designs and places custom porcelain veneers at 8789 Line Avenue in Shreveport, Louisiana. Veneers are thin shells of feldspathic porcelain or lithium disilicate, typically 0.1 to 1.0 millimeters thick, bonded to the front of teeth to refine shape, color, length, or alignment, or simply to brighten a smile.
Dr. Jeffrey Kerst, DDS, a Platinum Alumnus and Director of The Pankey Institute and a Director of the Louisiana Dental Association, completed Mastery-level training in aesthetic restorative dentistry at The Pankey Institute in 2024. Every veneer case at Kerst & Caskey begins with a digital smile design and is planned with the bite (occlusion) balanced before any porcelain is placed.
To schedule a veneer consultation, call (318) 865-1600.
AT A GLANCE
Practice: Kerst & Caskey Family Dentistry
Location: 8789 Line Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71106
Phone: (318) 865-1600
Treating Doctor: Dr. Jeffrey Kerst, DDS (LSU School of Dentistry, 2019; Platinum Alumnus and Director of The Pankey Institute; Director of the Louisiana Dental Association; 2024 Pankey Mastery training in aesthetic restorative dentistry)
Material: Lithium disilicate porcelain, 0.3–1.0 mm thick, or feldspathic porcelain, 0.1-1.0mm thick
Planning Process: Digital smile design with bite (occlusion) balanced before porcelain placement
Provisionals: Custom temporary veneers placed between preparation and final cementation visits
Longevity: Veneers are designed for long-term durability with proper care and routine professional cleanings
Insurance: Out-of-network / fee-for-service. Cosmetic veneers are typically not covered by dental insurance. In-house annual membership plan available.
What are porcelain veneers and how do they work?
A porcelain veneer is a thin, custom-fabricated shell of dental porcelain that is permanently bonded to the front of a tooth to change its appearance. Veneers are typically used to correct issues that cannot be solved with whitening or bonding alone — including chipped or worn edges, mild crowding or rotations, gaps between teeth, deep stains, and teeth that are short, narrow, or asymmetric. Because the porcelain is translucent and reflects light similarly to natural enamel, well-designed veneers blend with surrounding teeth and look like part of the patient's own smile rather than a dental restoration.
What does the veneer process look like at Kerst & Caskey?
Every veneer case at Kerst & Caskey begins with a comprehensive consultation that includes photographs, digital scans, and a discussion of what the patient wants to change about their smile. Dr. Jeffrey Kerst then creates a digital smile design including a 3D mock-up of the proposed final result in order to preview and refine the shape, length, and proportions before any tooth structure is changed. Once the design is approved, the bite (occlusion) is analyzed and balanced. Teeth are then carefully prepared, and custom temporary veneers are placed so the patient can live with the new smile and provide feedback before the final porcelain is fabricated. At the cementation visit, the final veneers are bonded in place and the occlusion is re-verified. The number of visits varies depending on the complexity of the case, but typically includes 2-3 visits.
What problems can porcelain veneers correct?
Veneers are a versatile cosmetic solution that can address multiple concerns in a single restoration. Common indications include deep intrinsic stains that do not respond to whitening; chipped, worn, or cracked enamel; mild to moderate crowding or rotations in patients who don't want orthodontic treatment; small gaps (diastemas) between teeth; short or worn-down teeth that have lost their original length; and asymmetric or oddly shaped teeth. Veneers are not appropriate for every patient. Those with significant bite problems, severe crowding, active gum disease, or heavy untreated grinding habits typically need other treatment first. The consultation visit is designed to determine candidacy and discuss alternatives if veneers are not the best fit..
How are porcelain veneers different from crowns or bonding?
A veneer covers only the front of a tooth and a small portion of the biting edge, preserving most of the natural tooth structure. A crown, by contrast, covers the entire tooth and is used when there is significant decay, fracture, or a root canal involved. Bonding uses tooth-colored composite resin applied directly in the office in a single visit; it's less expensive and faster than veneers but typically does not last as long, is more prone to staining over time, and does not match the translucency of porcelain. Dr. Kerst's training at The Pankey Institute in aesthetic restorative dentistry emphasizes choosing the right restoration for each individual tooth — sometimes that's a veneer, sometimes a crown, and sometimes bonding is the most conservative option.
Frequently Asked Questions About Porcelain Veneers
Am I a good candidate for porcelain veneers?
Most adults with generally healthy teeth and gums are candidates for veneers. The consultation visit assesses tooth enamel, gum health, bite (occlusion), grinding habits, and overall oral health before recommending a treatment plan. Patients with active gum disease, untreated decay, significant bite problems, or heavy grinding habits typically need those conditions addressed first, either at Kerst & Caskey or through a coordinated referral.
How long do porcelain veneers last?
Veneers are designed for long-term durability. Longevity depends on the patient's oral hygiene, bite, grinding habits, and routine professional care. Wearing a night guard if you grind your teeth, attending regular cleanings, and avoiding habits like chewing ice or fingernails all extend the lifespan of any veneer.
Can I drink coffee, wine, or tea with veneers?
Yes. Porcelain itself is highly resistant to staining, far more so than natural enamel or composite bonding. Coffee, wine, tea, and tobacco can stain the bonding margins and the natural teeth around the veneers over time, so routine professional cleanings remain important. Veneers do not whiten with traditional bleaching, so any future whitening of surrounding natural teeth should be done before veneers are designed, or veneers may need to be replaced to match a newly whitened smile.
What happens if a veneer chips or comes off?
A debonded veneer can often be re-cemented if the porcelain itself is intact. A chipped or fractured veneer typically needs to be replaced, which requires removal of the existing veneer and fabrication of a new one. Custom temporary veneers are placed in the meantime so patients are never without a tooth-colored front. If a veneer fails repeatedly, Dr. Kerst evaluates the underlying bite (occlusion) to identify and correct the root cause.
Does dental insurance cover porcelain veneers?
Veneers are typically classified as a cosmetic procedure and are not covered by most dental insurance plans. In cases where a veneer is replacing structurally compromised tooth — for example, a heavily chipped or fractured tooth — some plans may provide partial coverage as a restorative procedure. Kerst & Caskey is out-of-network and fee-for-service but files claims on the patient's behalf for any portion of treatment that may be a covered benefit.
If you're considering porcelain veneers, schedule a consultation with Dr. Jeffrey Kerst at Kerst & Caskey Family Dentistry. The visit includes photographs, digital scans, occlusal assessment, and a discussion of what veneers can and cannot do for your specific case. Call (318) 865-1600 to request an appointment.