Porcelain veneers are half or partial crowns that cover the front of the tooth.  In concept veneering a tooth is similar to placing acrylic fingernails on top of natural nails. 

Porcelain veneers are primarily used to:

• Change the contour (shape) of a tooth or close gaps between the teeth.
• Cover up dark blue or dark brown stains that could not be removed with bleaching.
• Add to the length of short teeth
• Correct minor crowding of the teeth

Depending on the material used, Veneers using plastic or composite material could be done in the office and be completed in one visit or Veneers could be made of ceramic or porcelain .

Ceramic or porcelain veneers are done in two separate visits and are fabricated in dental laboratories.  Veneers are often used in place of crowns when enough tooth structure is present and are more conservative and look more natural.

During the first visit, the tooth is prepared for the Veneer.  Local anesthetic is applied and the surface of the tooth (teeth) is shaved by approximately 0.5 mm - 2.0 mm. An impression of the prepared tooth (teeth) is taken and sent to a dental laboratory for fabrication of the veneers.   A temporary acrylic Veneer is placed to protect the tooth until the final Veneer is placed. 

At the second visit, the temporary Veneer is removed and the tooth is carefully cleaned and prepared.  The final Veneer is attached to its place with a special process.

The porcelain veneers are among the most natural looking and strongest restorations available today. With proper care, porcelain Veneers can last a long time.

Before	After