In just two or three dental visits, a veneer can re years of stains caused by foods, caffeine and tobacco use.

Special thin laminates, called veneers, can often be used to correct discolored, worn down, cracked and chipped teeth. Porcelain Veneers can also be used to close unsightly gaps between teeth.

Porcelain veneers also referred to as dental veneers are porcelain laminates designed to be as thin as contact lenses. They are chemically bonded to the teeth to help improve their shape by aligning and straightening them. They also enhance the color of teeth. Veneers are usually designed to cover the front surface of the teeth thus improving on their appearance in general. The shells change the shape, color, length, and size of the teeth. They are made from porcelain because it is resistant to stains as compared to resin. The material also mimics light reflection properties just like natural teeth. Hence, it makes a better choice.

The purpose of porcelain veneers is to improve the health and appearance of the teeth. Porcelain veneers can look completely natural and whiten dark yellow stained teeth or tetracycline stained teeth. Teeth can be whiter and straighter looking (often referred to as “Instant Braces”). The shape of teeth can be improved, lengthened, shortened, fuller or less full, be more round, more square or bolder looking.

A porcelain veneer is a thin shell of heat-fired porcelain that is custom made to fit your teeth. They are separate veneers of porcelain that are bonded to the teeth. The patient brushes, flosses and usually eats. Whatever the needs or desires of the patient, surfaces can be an effective cosmetic solution that will last for many years. The restored teeth will permanently be whiter than the natural teeth.

Non-Invasive Cosmetic Dentistry

With the development of the thin non-invasive, no tooth grinding type of cosmetic treatment, the patient’s natural tooth structure can be saved. No grinding on the patient’s teeth is also referred to as Non-Invasive Dentistry or Non-Invasive Porcelain Veneers. Sometimes if a tooth is protruding, some surface grinding is necessary to make the teeth line up evenly. Non-Invasive Porcelain Veneers can create permanently whiter teeth. Patients can have white teeth without the hassle of bleaching or ongoing teeth whitening to maintain a whiter color.

Less Tooth Sensitivity

The non-invasive porcelain veneer adds another layer of porcelain to the existing tooth. The tooth can be much less sensitive, much whiter and very natural looking. Less tooth sensitivity is a huge advantage if the dentist is highly skilled in dental bonding. The extra layer of porcelain over the existing tooth covers all of the sensitive areas. The patient can have an exceptional smile that highlights their eye color, complexion, and lips.

Traditional Porcelain Veneers

The traditional porcelain veneer requires the tooth to be reduced (ground down with a dental drill) about 1mm to make room for the porcelain. The porcelain veneer will fit inside the area of the tooth that has been ground away. The advantage of the traditional veneer is the porcelain is thicker and can hide a dark-colored tooth better than thin porcelain veneers. The disadvantage is that the healthy natural tooth structure has to be ground away. The dentist has to be very precise with the work; otherwise, the teeth can be sensitive after treatment due to the loss of tooth structure.

An impression of the tooth must be made and a veneer molded by a lab technician. Because veneers require a small amount of enamel to be removed, they are permanent and non-reversible.

The process involves buffing the tooth, removing an extremely thin layer of the tooth to allow for the thickness of the veneer, an impression of the tooth, and final bonding of the veneer to the tooth with special cement. A special light is used to complete the process.