Porcelain dental veneers are another way we have to change to the shape, colour and position of teeth. A veneer is a thin layer of porcelain that is bonded to the surface of a tooth, almost like a finger nail. For most veneer procedures a small amount of tooth enamel is removed to get the best result and allow room for the porcelain. There are some veneers in which no tooth structure is removed at all but this can only be used in some cases.
Typically, a wax mock-up of what the final veneers will look like is done on a stone model of your teeth to evaluate the final result. From this, temporary veneers are made to protect the teeth and prevent sensitivity. When the veneers come back from the laboratory they are tried in your mouth and evaluated for colour, shape and fit. If everything is satisfactory then they are bonded to the tooth. The bond between the porcelain and the tooth enamel is a very strong one. Veneers should last a long time if properly maintained. Porcelain can chip and crack so bad habits like chewing on ice, pens, fingernails must be avoided.
Most of the time veneers are done on front teeth, but can be done anywhere in the mouth when the need arises. Veneers offer a conservative approach to help improve the appearance and function of your smile.
