Veneers are extremely thin shells of artificial material that are made to fit over the front side of a patient’s teeth and look like natural teeth. Veneers can be used to mask stains, chipped, worn, misshapen, or slightly crooked teeth, or gaps or spaces between teeth. Veneers may be made from porcelain, ceramic, or composite resin materials.

Porcelain veneers (laminate veneers):

After initial examination and evaluation, porcelain veneers typically require two more visits: one to prepare the teeth and make impressions, and a second to bond the veneers to the teeth. Each of these appointments tends to take between one to two hours. During evaluation, factors like sex, age, profession, personality, skin tone, eye color, facial features, and of course your expectations are considered.

The porcelain veneer procedure:

1. Consultation and smile design: Digital imaging or wax mock-up.

2. Tooth preparation: Removal of 0.3–0.5 mm of enamel (usually under local anesthesia).

3. Impressions: Digital scans or traditional molds sent to a dental lab.

4. Temporary veneers: Placed for 1–2 weeks.

5. Try-in and bonding: Permanent veneers are etched, bonded with resin cement, and light-cured.

6. Follow-up: Adjustments and polishing.

Once bonded, the porcelain laminate veneers become an integral part of your tooth and are as strong as your natural teeth, which generally require no special care. Porcelain veneers are highly resistant to staining from coffee, tea, or smoking and last for many years.

You can now rejuvenate your smile in as little as two to three sittings! Enjoy your enhanced smile without worrying about stains every time you sip your coffee or tea.

Composite veneers:
Composite veneers are directly bonded over the teeth. Soft tooth-colored composite materials are impressed over the tooth surface, sculpted to desired shape, and hardened by a powerful light. They are polished in the mouth itself. This is an immediate and quick way to fix misaligned teeth in a single sitting. Unfortunately, composite veneers are not as strong as porcelain laminate veneers and tend to chip and stain over a period of time, so frequent polishing of these bondings is required.

Comparison: Porcelain vs. Composite Veneers

Statistics:

• A 2017 systematic review in the Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry reported a 93% survival rate for porcelain veneers after 10 years.

• Patient satisfaction with porcelain veneers: 95% at 5 years (J Dent, 2011).

• Composite veneers have a 5-year survival rate of 70–80%.

References:

• Layton, D.M., Walton, T.R. “An up to 15-year follow-up of porcelain veneers.” J Esthet Restor Dent, 2017.

• Peumans, M., et al. “Porcelain veneers: a review.” J Dent, 2011.

• Gresnigt, M.M., et al. “Composite veneers: clinical outcomes.” J Dent, 2016.