What Are Veneers?

Veneers are tooth-colored, extremely thin coverings that are attached to the front of teeth to mask dental imperfections. They’re customized to enhance tooth alignment, shape, size, length and color.

Veneers are held in place with dental glue after a small area of tooth enamel is trimmed from the tooth surface. This minimal preparation helps your teeth retain their natural defense against decay from bacteria and plaque.

Veneers resist staining better than real teeth and need no special oral hygiene measures. While veneers are a cosmetic treatment, they also provide oral health benefits by protecting teeth from further damage.

Types of Veneers

There are two main types of dental veneers: porcelain and composite.

Porcelain veneers are favored by dentists and patients because they resist staining better and look more natural. They also last longer – 15 to 20 years, compared with the three- to five-year lifespan of composite veneers.

Porcelain veneers are made from medical-grade ceramic. They look like real teeth because they’re semi-transparent and react to light in the same way as dental enamel. Advances in technology have made veneers even thinner, which means minimal trimming of tooth structure. Dr. Larsen says that porcelain veneers also can enhance your smile by closing gaps or covering stained teeth.

Composite veneers are made with the same type of tooth-colored resin used with tooth bonding, and are less expensive than porcelain veneers.

The Veneers Procedure

Designing, making and placing custom porcelain veneers combines dental science with aesthetic artistry – specialized technical skills in conjunction with an eye for visual appeal.

In the hands of a skilled cosmetic dentist, veneer treatment requires little if any anesthetic and can usually be completed in two appointments.