Veneers

Veneers are very thin, tooth-colored shells that are custom-fit and bonded to the front of the teeth to aesthetically improve the smile. Veneers make it possible to correct a variety of color- and shape-related teeth problems. Veneers are a great way to repair or enhance the appearance of front teeth.

Veneers may be used to address the following conditions:

• Reduce or eliminate spaces between the teeth
• Repair broken or chipped teeth
• Whiten teeth that are yellow, permanently stained, or discolored teeth
• Correct uneven, misaligned or irregularly shaped teeth

Types of Veneers

There are two kinds of veneers:

Composite or Direct Veneers

A special plastic resin is molded and bonded directly to the tooth in one appointment. Composite veneers are thinner and require less removal of the tooth surface before placement.

Porcelain or Indirect Veneers

Porcelain veneers are custom-made in a lab and applied to the teeth. They resist stains better than composite veneers and better simulate the shine of natural teeth. Two appointments are required for this process: one for taking an impression, and a second for preparing the natural teeth and placing the veneers once they have been created. Lumineers® and Vivaneers® are two types of porcelain veneers that are so thin they don't require any tooth-buffing before placement.

Veneers should be treated just like natural teeth. They should be brushed and flossed regularly. With proper home care and regular dental visits, patients will experience long lasting success with their new veneers and smile.

Additional Resources

• Mouth Healthy
• National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
• Medline Plus
• National Institutes of Health
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
• WebMD