Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain cemented over the front of your teeth to change their color or shape. Veneers are commonly used on teeth that are chipped, discolored, oddly shaped, unevenly spaced or crooked. Porcelain veneers have a longer life expectancy and color stability than bonding, and are highly resistant to permanent staining from coffee, tea, or even cigarette smoking.
Porcelain veneers can mask undesirable defects such as: teeth stained by tetracycline, discoloration due to injury or root canal therapy, and discolored fillings in front teeth. Patients with spacing, chips, or wear of their front teeth may consider porcelain veneers.
Porcelain veneers are made by a dental lab technician who works from a custom model provided by your dentist. Typically, veneers entail at least three appointments: diagnosis and treatment planning, preparation, and bonding.
Certain behaviors such as jaw clenching or bruxism (teeth grinding) significantly shorten the life of a veneer. In such cases, a night-guard will be prescribed to increase the longevity of any porcelain restoration.
With proper care, veneers can last for many years.