What are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers (sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates) are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve your appearance. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their color, shape, size, or length.

Types of Dental Veneers

Dental veneers can be made from porcelain or from resin composite materials. Porcelain veneers resist stains better than resin veneers. They also better mimic the light-reflecting properties of natural teeth. You will need to discuss the best choice of veneer material for you with your dentist.

What Types of Problems Do Dental Veneers Fix?

Veneers are routinely used to fix:

• Teeth that are discolored because of:

  • root canal treatment 

  • stains from tetracycline or other drugs

  • excessive fluoride

  • large resin fillings 

  • other causes

• Teeth that are worn down

• Teeth that are chipped or broken

• Teeth that are misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped (for example, have craters or bulges in them)

• Teeth with gaps between them (to close the space between these teeth)