Some people want an instant white smile with straight beautiful teeth, but for various reasons they cannot achieve their goals through whitening and/or braces. Cosmetic Porcelain Veneers are a great alternative that has been around for many years. These life-like facings require minimal tooth reduction. They can be used to treat various problems like to straighten , to lengthen teeth or to reduce a gummy smile . Pretreatment mock-ups are recommended. With the latest advances in bonded dentistry, Veneers are more beautiful and longer lasting than ever.

What is a porcelain or ceramic or zirkonia veneer?

A veneer is a thin facing of porcelain that is bonded to the front visible surface of a tooth. Dental Veneers can be made from Porcelain or Zirkonia or Emax etc.
It is similar to a false fingernail.
The appearance of a tooth can be dramatically improved by a veneer restoration.
It can change the colour, shape, size and appearance of a tooth.

How do I know I need a veneer?

Porcelain veneers are ideal for front teeth if you have any of the following problems?

Stained and discoloured teeth.
Fillings that are large and noticeable.
Chipped teeth.
Spaces between the teeth.
Slightly crooked teeth.
Teeth that are too short, too long, or too wide.

Why is porcelain or Ceramic the best material for a veneer?

Porcelain has a translucency and lustre that cannot be equalled by any other material. It closely resembles the enamel of a tooth.

Perfect colour matching to existing teeth is possible with a veneer.
A porcelain veneer is a very strong and durable tooth restoration.
Although a veneer is very thin, it becomes as strong as the enamel of the tooth. It is strengthened by being fused or bonded to the tooth.
A porcelain veneer is very thin and as a result very little tooth material has to be trimmed away to accommodate it. A veneer can also be made of a plastic material, but this can not match the aesthetics & durability of porcelain. Temporary veneers are made of acrylic.

What is the procedure to get veneers made ?

The dentist trims down the front surface of the tooth, & takes an impression of the prepared tooth.
The impression is sent to a dental technician who makes the porcelain veneer.
As very little tooth material is removed in the process, a temporary veneer may not be necessary. If the prepared tooth is particularly sensitive a temporary acrylic veneer will sometimes be needed. This is to protect the prepared tooth while the porcelain veneer is being made.
Finally, the dentist will bond (cement) the attractive natural-looking porcelain veneer to the tooth.