Veneers are designed to fit over your teeth to correct any number of problems and improve your smile. They are usually made from materials such as porcelain, ceramic or resin, mimicking the shades of real teeth for a natural appearance.
They are particularly useful in treating multiple imperfections not easily rectified by other techniques. For instance, teeth chipped in an accident or deteriorating due to decay can be made to look symmetrical and perfect again, while misshapen or peculiarly sized teeth can also be covered effectively. Gaps left by smaller teeth are another tricky problem hidden by veneers, as are holes and other irregularities in the teeth. The treatment is purely cosmetic, so if a patient with stained or crooked teeth chooses veneers, the technique conceals rather than cures the problem.
The fitting process for veneers is very quick, with an instant effect not offered by orthodontic treatments. They differ from crowns in that veneers mostly require far less tampering with the teeth underneath. The dentist will take an impression of your teeth and use this to fashion the veneers. Then the veneers are glued strongly over the affected teeth, with a light beam strengthening the bond.
The standard porcelain veneers are made from thin material that mimics the properties of regular teeth. This means that light hitting the veneers produces a similar effect to real teeth. They are manufactured in a dental laboratory and take longer to produce than composite alternatives, but the material is stronger, difficult to stain, and can last between 10 and 15 years.
Composite veneers are made from composite resin, a tooth-coloured filling material without the same sense of depth as porcelain veneers. The treatment is cheaper and speedier to produce. Greater portions of the underlying teeth will need to be removed to accommodate the veneers than with the porcelain method.
