Dental veneers are thin custom-made porcelain shells that are designed to cover the front side of teeth. Made of tooth-colored materials, veneers are used to treat spaces between teeth and teeth that are permanently stained, poorly shaped or slightly crooked. They may also cover teeth that are chipped or worn.
Anesthetic may be required depending upon the way the tooth is being prepared. Sometimes a small amount of the enamel is removed to accommodate the thickness of the porcelain shells. Molds are made of the teeth and sent to a dental laboratory for fabrication. The porcelain shells are custom made and can fill in spaces, block out underlying color, or improve the position and shape of the tooth. Temporary veneers are placed while the veneers are being made. You return to the office to have the veneers bonded on to your natural tooth. Dental veneers last many years but, just like any restoration, they may need to be replaced due to decay or wear.