Porcelain veneers are used to change the appearance and shape of teeth. They are also called porcelain laminate veneers.
When a person gets a porcelain veneer, the dentist will make a mold of their tooth, and send the mold out to be used to make the veneer. When the veneer is made, the dentist will remove about a millimeter of enamel on the tooth, and then cement the porcelain veneer to the tooth. The whole process takes around 3 visits.
Because of the enamel that is removed, porcelain veneers are permanent. They need to be replaced every 5-10 years. In between replacements they are taken care of with ordinary dental hygiene. The porcelain does not respond to tooth whitening procedures, so it is a good idea to get teeth whitened to the color you’d prefer before getting a veneer.
Porcelain veneers are generally considered a conservative approach to correcting the shape and appearance of teeth. The porcelain closely resembles real teeth, and the veneers are strong and unlike crowns, do not require major reshaping of the tooth.
Alternatives to veneers include crowns and bonding. Crowns are more expensive and involved, and are better for teeth with significant decay or other problems. Bonding is a minor procedure that makes mild changes to the shape of the teeth, and is good for fixing chips and filling in small gaps between teeth.
Veneers can also be made out of a resin, and each type has advantages and disadvantages. Resin veneers don’t need as much enamel removed, but are not as natural looking as porcelain veneers.
As a cosmetic procedure, veneers are rarely covered by dental insurance. Porcelain veneers are expensive, with the cost averaging around $900 per tooth. If you are considering porcelain veneers, speak with your dentist about how much they will cost, and whether they are a good option for you.
