Veneers are thin laboratory-made shells or laminates that cover the front or facial surfaces of your teeth.
They are made of either thin porcelain/ceramic or resin and can be used to:
- Mask poorly formed or mildly crooked teeth
- Close gaps between teeth
- Cover internal stains or dark teeth
- Restore partially broken-down teeth
- Widen or improve smiles
Tooth preparation is best kept minimal and confined to the enamel structure ideally. If heavier preparation is required it is worth considering orthodontics to move some or all of the teeth first. The veneer is bonded to the tooth structure with tooth-coloured resin cement. Several visits are necessary to complete treatment, including a trial smile test drive.
Patients should be aware that this is usually an irreversible process because it’s necessary to remove a small amount of enamel from your teeth to accommodate the shell.
Patients are now more aware of this and opt for cosmetic bonding or resin veneers that require no preparation.