What are porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers are thin shells of porcelain which are permanently bonded directly to the teeth. They provide a most esthetically pleasing option to change your smile for the better if it needs changing. They are made of a very thin, yet very hard and durable ceramic, and can be used to mask discolorations, close gaps, straighten teeth, repair chipped teeth, reshape misshaped teeth, and change the color of your teeth to brighten your smile. They are a conservative approach to changing a tooth's size, shape and color. Unlike a crown, veneers cover only the visible surface of a tooth and may wrap over the biting edge slightly. Although they are used to straighten teeth they are not a substitute for braces. If teeth are very crowded, patients should consider braces first. If there is only slight crowding then the dentist can determine whether veneers can produce the illusion of straight teeth. Teeth best suited for veneers must have sound structure. Patients with periodontal disease or whose teeth are severely broken down are not ideal candidates for veneers. Patients with habits such as clenching or grinding their teeth can cause fracture of the edges of veneers , so they should wear a night guard over teeth while sleeping. Veneers might not last as long for these people, they may have to have them replaced more often. It usually takes 3 appointments to get veneers. One for treatment planning, where the patient gives input as to what their expectations are, the dentist takes pictures and impressions. Secondly, the dentist prepares the teeth , if necessary or does minimal reshaping and takes impressions to send to the lab for fabrication of the veneers. The dentist must relate all the required expectations to the lab, and send all the necessary information needed. Thirdly, the new veneers are tried in for size, color and shape, and with the patients delight and approval, bonded in place. They are then adjusted to the patients bite and any excess bonding material removed. If needed, another impression for the making of a night guard is taken at this time. It usually takes about a month to get used to the slight changes in shape of the teeth, but once the patient gets past that they feel very natural and look fantastic!