Will porcelain veneers look like my natural teeth? 

The best veneers will indeed look like your natural teeth. Your dentist, through photographic imaging or a process called a "wax up," can give you an idea before you begin any treatment of what your teeth will look like. The wax up will be done on models of your mouth and allow you to hold them and examine them from all sides before you commit to treatment. Either of these approaches will enable you to decide if what you want is what the dentist is proposing to give you. In other words, "do they look like my natural teeth?" Bringing photographs of your smile from before also can help ensure that the dentist is giving you what you want in terms of the look of the veneers.

What are porcelain veneers? 

Porcelain veneers are very thin shells of ceramic. The dentist removes a small amount of tooth enamel from the front and sides of the tooth to make room for the veneer thickness. In some cases due to the smallness of the person's teeth, no enamel need be removed. An impression is taken, temporaries are made; at the next visit, the permanent porcelain veneers are bonded to the tooth structure after checking the fit, shape and shade. If you grind or clench your teeth, you may not be a good candidate for veneers, but at a minimum you should wear a nightguard to protect the veneers from popping off due to the stresses that grinding and clenching can place upon them.

How long do porcelain veneers last? 

The longevity of porcelain veneers is dependent upon your bite, how your teeth fit together, and whether you grind or clench your teeth. The average veneer can last at least seven to 10 years with many lasting twenty years. If you take good care of your oral health, and you wear a nightguard to protect them from your sleep time habits, veneers can provide you with many years of excellent service and esthetics.