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What Are Veneers?

Dental veneers are extremely thin shells or laminates that can vary in composition. Many times they're made out of tooth-colored ceramic, composite bonding material or porcelain. The material is cemented to the surface of your tooth to improve its appearance.

Veneers can be used to treat a number of problems including:

Stained teeth. Sometimes teeth are so badly stained that the color cannot be improved even with prophyflex or whitening treatments. In these cases, veneers can be used to cover stains on your teeth.

Gaps or spaces between teeth. Sometimes gaps or spaces between your teeth can be closed using veneers.

Damaged, chipped or badly worn teeth. Veneers can be used to repair small chips or a single damaged tooth.

Crooked teeth. Veneers are not necessarily the ideal solve for crooked teeth because they do not preserve the natural structure of your tooth. However, because Invisalign or traditional orthodontics can sometimes take up to 12 months or longer to correct crooked teeth, sometimes patients opt for veneers. Veneers can be placed over the front surface of your teeth to give them an aligned appearance.

What's the Difference Between Composite and Porcelain?

Composite veneers are a lot cheaper than porcelain at the get-go. But you have to take in to consideration a couple of different long-term factors before making a decision. Porcelain is the most popular kind of veneer. It's more durable than composite veneers, and porcelain looks more natural because it has a translucent appearance. Composite veneers are more prone to stains and do not last as long as porcelain, which means they will need to be replaced more often and could end up costing you more over the long term. That being said, composite is often used to repair small chips because it preserves more of the tooth's natural structure.

What Does the Procedure Entail? 

1. During your first appointment, you'll have an initial consultation and exam where your dentist will ask you questions and get a better understanding of your needs. Your dentist should also explain the procedure to you at this time and give you an accurate estimate as to how much your treatment will cost.


2. Your dentist will reshape and prepare your teeth to accommodate the veneer. First your teeth and gums will be numbed with a local anesthetic. Then the front surfaces of your teeth will be prepared.


3. Your dentist will use a special dental drill to shave off a tiny portion of the front surface of your teeth.


4. Your dentist will then take a mould of the teeth that will be veneered. Using dental putty, your dentist will take an imprint of your teeth. Before you leave the office, your dentist will likely fit you with temporary veneers, although not all dentists offer this service.


5. This mould will be sent to a dental laboratory. The laboratory will use the mould to create a custom model of your teeth, which will be used as a guide to create your veneers. It typically takes one to three weeks to create your custom veneers.


6. During your second appointment, you will be fitted with your new veneers. Your dentist will fit you with your veneers and inspect whether they are the right size and color.


7. Then, before bonding the veneer to the surface of your teeth with dental cement, your dentist will clean your teeth and etch the front surfaces with a special gel.


8. After the veneers are cemented into place, your dentist will cure the cement with a special light. At that point it will be permanently bonded to the front surface of your tooth. Your dentist will then trim any excess cement from the tooth and polish it.

How Long Do Veneers Last?

Porcelain veneers typically last somewhere between five and 10 years. Composite veneers will last about one to two years, at the most. But whether you have porcelain or composite veneers, they will have to be replaced at some point. To help your veneers last as long as possible, follow a good oral hygiene program and be sure to have regular checkups and cleanings with your dentist.