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Procedures

Veneers

Procedure overview

Learn about the dental procedure, when it is generally prescribed, and other information which can increase your knowledge of the topic.

Alternate terms: Laminates.

Veneers are thin laminates which usually cover only the surface of the teeth people see when you smile and talk (the "facial" surface). Sometimes they are designed to wrap around the edges of the teeth onto the inside surfaces, either to eliminate decay, to provide better retention to the tooth, or to improve the looks of them.

Veneers can be made of either ceramic, which are produced in a laboratory and bonded to the teeth at a separate appointment from the preparation appointment; or from "composite resin" filling material, which can either be made in a laboratory and bonded on at a later date (like ceramic veneers); or built directly onto your tooth by your dentist. Traditional porcelain veneers require greater removal of tooth structure, but arguably deliver the best cosmetic result.

More recently, a thinner, less invasive porcelain veneer has become available which produces good esthetic results, no sensitivity, and no chance of the tooth developing inflammation or infection secondary to the procedure.

As you might imagine, building a veneer directly on your tooth from composite resin filling material is very challenging from an artistic and technical perspective. However, dentists who do them can often produce outstanding results, less invasively than ceramic, and for less money.

Porcelain veneers are cosmetic dentistry tools to hide old yellow fillings in teeth

Figure 1: Though difficult to notice, the front six upper teeth in this patient have been veneered due to significant chipping, crazing and failing fillings. The arrows show the interface (or "margin") between the veneers and natural tooth enamel. Note how the veneers have been wrapped around the sides and over the biting edge for greater retention.

Veneers are generally prescribed to make the teeth appear more attractive. There are exceptions, such as when a patient cracks or chips the front teeth, or has extensive decay that cannot be fixed in other ways. Some frequently encountered situations in which veneers are prescribed include:

  • The teeth have deep "intrinsic stain" which cannot be lightened by bleaching. This condition is common in patients whose mothers were taking tetracycline antibiotics (Figures 2a, 2b, 2c) during pregnancy, or the patients themselves received the drug at other stages of their tooth development. It is also commonly seen in patients who have received too much fluoride (this condition is called "fluorosis"). There may be other sources, with the common result of making the teeth appear dark and unattractive.
  • The front ("anterior") teeth are rotated, crowded or misaligned, but the bite relationship between the upper and lower back teeth is orthodontically acceptable.
  • There are dissimilarities in the sizes of certain teeth that produce an asymmetrical or irregular smile. A common example of this is patients who have "peg-shaped" lateral incisors.
Grey teeth with tetracycline intrinsic stain can be covered by porcelain veneers

Figure 2a: A moderately severe case of tetracycline staining. This patient's primary concern was the dark intrinsic stain of her teeth. She related a history of tetracycline antibiotics in infancy. Her teeth have also been worn flat from a bruxing habit. Minimally invasive veneers were prescribed after discussing her treatment goals. An occlusal guard was also recommended, after it was discovered that her bruxism habit was ongoing.
Learn more: Diagnoses › Bruxism

Tetracycline produces intrinsic stain of the teeth

Figure 2b: The patient's teeth appeared short and dark in her smile.

Stained, worn lower anterior teeth illustrate attrition caused by bruxing

Figure 2c: The bruxing habit had also taken a toll on the patient's teeth.