Veneers are thin layers of porcelain that can be permanently bonded to the front of the teeth. It allows your dentist to alter tooth position, shape, size and color to whiten your teeth, close spaces and create a great smile.

The Problem

The Solution

The Procedure

Advantages

Disadvantages

Alternatives

The Problem:

Darkened teeth due to root canal treatment or tetracycline stains
Space between front teeth
Broken or chipped teeth
Unsightly, stained or washed-out fillings
Rough or jagged edges on front teeth
Teeth that are too small or large in proportion to rest of the mouth
Crooked teeth
Worn teeth

The Solution:

Veneers are more conservative alternatives to crowns since they require less removal of the tooth’s original surface. They bond directly to the front of the tooth, similar to the way artificial fingernails work. Each porcelain veneer is a work of art, carefully crafted to give you straighter, whiter and more even teeth.

The Procedure:

Your dentist prepares the teeth for the porcelain veneers by removing 0.5mm to 1mm of tooth outer enamel. The dentist makes a mold of the teeth and then sends it to the dental laboratory. Once the veneers have returned from the lab the dentist applies the veneers to the teeth using a bonding material.

Advantages:

Veneers provide a much more conservative restoration than the use of crowns since they require less removal of the tooth’s original surface. Also, they offer a stronger, more esthetic alternative to bonding. They are very strong and have a “life like” appearance with the strength, beauty and durability only porcelain restorations can afford. There is no “dark line” that is sometimes seen with older front crowns. We can even do virtually instant orthodontics to straighten crooked teeth.

Disadvantages:

Since they require approximately 0.5mm to 1mm of tooth reduction, porcelain veneers are NOT considered a reversible form of treatment. The laboratory time required for fabrication of the veneers is approximately two weeks.

Alternatives:

Porcelain veneers are an excellent investment. However, they are not appropriate for teeth with excessive decay or if there is not adequate remaining tooth structure to support the restoration. In those cases, porcelain crowns are the only alternative. In the event that you desire only to improve tooth alignment, orthodontic treatment may be another alternative.