Dental veneers are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of your teeth, much like a false fingernail fits over a nail.

Porcelain veneers, also called ceramic, are the preferred material that looks most "life-like" and are resistant to staining, but are also more expensive. Porcelain veneers are made in a dental laboratory and then bonded to the tooth.

Composite veneers are made of glass or quartz crystals in a resin base. They can be made in some dental offices and placed directly, or created in the mouth like bonding and contouring procedures. Composite venners are less expensive than porcelain but may be less stain resistant.

Advantages of Dental Veneers

• They provide a natural tooth appearance.
  
• Gum tissue tolerates porcelain well.
  
• Porcelain veneers are stain resistant.
  
• The color of a porcelain veneer can be selected such that it makes dark teeth appear whiter.
  
• Veneers make teeth strong because they are apprehended in place by a special bonding solution.

Disadvantages of Dental Veneers

• The process is not reversible.
  
• Veneers are more costly than composite resin bonding.
  
• Veneers are usually not repairable should they chip or crack.
  
• Because enamel has been removed, your tooth may become more sensitive to hot and cold foods and beverages.
  
• Teeth with veneers can still experience decay, possibly necessitating full coverage of the tooth with a crown.

What happens after the dental veneer is fitted?

Some tiny adjustments can be made to the veneer after it is fitted. It is usually best to wait a little while to get used to it before any changes are made. Your dentist will probably want to check and polish it a week or so after it is fitted and to make sure that you are happy with it.

How long do dental veneers last?

They should last for many years, but they can damage or break. Your dentist will advise you how long each individual veneer should last. Small chips can be repaired, or a new veneer fitted if necessary.

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