Dental veneers (sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates) are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve your appearance.  These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their color, shape, size or length.

Dental veneers can be made from porcelain or from resin composite materials.  Porcelain veneers resist stains better than resin veneers and better mimic the light reflecting properties of natural teeth.  Resin veneers are thinner and require removal of less of the tooth surface before placement.  Our dentists are ready to discuss the best choice of veneer material for you in a one-on-one consultation.

Veneers are routinely used to fix:

The procedure usually requires three trips– one for a consultation and two to make and apply the veneers.  One tooth or many teeth can simultaneously undergo the veneering process described below.

Bonding: Before the dental veneer is permanently cemented to your tooth, we will temporarily place it on your tooth to examine its fit and color.  We will repeatedly remove and trim the veneer as needed to achieve the proper fit; the veneer color can be adjusted with the shade of cement to be used.

 Next, to prepare your tooth to receive the veneer, your tooth will be cleaned, polished and etched – which roughens the tooth to allow for a strong bonding process.  A special cement is applied to the veneer and the veneer is then placed on your tooth.  Once properly position on the tooth, we will apply a special light beam to the dental veneer, which activates chemicals in the cement causing it to harden or cure very quickly.

 The final steps involve removing any excess cement, evaluating your bite and making any final adjustments in the veneer as necessary.  We may ask you to return for a follow-up visit in a couple of weeks to check how your gums are responding to the presence of your veneer and to once again examine the veneer's placement.

Veneers offer the following advantages:

• They provide a natural tooth appearance.

• Gum tissue tolerates porcelain well.

• Porcelain veneers are stain resistant.

• The color of a porcelain veneer can be selected such that it makes dark teeth appear whiter.

• Veneers offer a conservative approach to changing a tooth's color and shape; veneers generally don't require the extensive shaping prior to the procedure that crowns do, yet offer a stronger, more aesthetic alternative to bonding.