What Are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are one option for restoring teeth with a cosmetic benefit. Dentists generally select this option for the restoration of front teeth or teeth within the smile line. Similar to a dental crown, veneers are made of porcelain. However, the difference between the two is that a dental veneer doesn’t cover the entire circumference of the tooth unlike a crown. Dental veneers are a thin layer of porcelain that covers the front of the tooth like a shell. Porcelain is typically the material chosen when it comes to restoring a significant portion of the tooth due to being stronger in composition.

Porcelain Veneer Placement

The composition of a porcelain veneer mimics enamel when it comes to durability for tooth functions with an added benefit of resistance from staining. Front teeth are smaller in size than back teeth (molars). Front teeth also serve a different function than molars requiring less force during eating and biting movements. Due to the front teeth being less load bearing, they allow for the option of being restored by a veneer. A veneer can be placed on a tooth that is heavily decayed, discoloured, cracked or fractured. It can also be placed to improve the appearance of teeth, enhance function, alter spacing, size or length of a tooth. Being thinner in composition, this is a great option for treating front teeth which results in a cosmetically pleasing look. Veneers are custom made to match the characteristics of natural teeth.

Treatment Steps

The dentist prepares the tooth for a veneer by taking an impression. This is used to customize the veneer to appear and feel like a natural tooth. After shaping the enamel to the desired structure, another impression is taken to fabricate the veneer. A temporary veneer is placed until construction of the permanent veneer. The dentist removes the temporary veneer and permanently bonds the final veneer instead. This procedure is used for one or multiple teeth, depending on the patient and the treatment plan for restoration of the teeth. Once completed, the veneer will function like a regular tooth. It is important to follow the dentist’s recommendations to ensure the best results. Although being porcelain, veneers require the same attention and care as a regular tooth and should be cleaned through daily brushing and flossing to prevent decay and gum disease.

If you would like more information about dental veneers, please contact us