Often an alternative to crowns, dental porcelain veneers are very thin pieces of specially-shaped porcelain or ceramic that are glued over the front of your teeth with little or no anesthesia needed. They are the cure for teeth that are severely discolored, chipped, have small holes or pits, misshapen or crooked, or for the correction of unwanted or uneven spaces.

Unlike crowns, dental porcelain veneers won't require the dentist to remove much of the tooth itself in most cases. Veneers are created from an impression taken in your cosmetic dentist's office. Your custom veneer is then glued directly onto your tooth. Veneers won't stain, making veneers a very popular solution for many people seeking that perfect smile. Strong and very durable, veneers last from ten to fifteen years, and come in colors that will brighten dark teeth without the worry of them changing color.

What does a dental porcelain veneer look like?

If you were to inspect a dental porcelain veneer you might think that its appearance is somewhat reminiscent of a false fingernail. That's because just like an artificial fingernail a porcelain veneer is very thin and delicate. Characteristically porcelain veneers are less than 1 millimeter thick. That puts them on the same order of thickness as the credit card you have in your billfold. And in part because they are so thin, if you were to hold a porcelain veneer up to a light source you would find that it is at least somewhat translucent (light will pass through it).

Porcelain veneers are common in creating new smiles and smile makeovers. With porcelain veneers, you can have the smile of your dreams in a very short period of time. Typically veneers are difficult to stain, making veneers a very popular solution for many people seeking that perfect smile. Strong and very durable, veneers last from ten to fifteen years, and come in colors that will brighten dark teeth without the worry of them changing color. There is no additional maintenance, other than follow-up visits to your cosmetic dentist for cleaning and check up and proper brushing and flossing on a daily basis. Finally, a whiter smile gives people to whom you are speaking a place to focus on and gives you a friendlier appearance.