Dental veneers come in two styles: porcelain and resin. They are used in cosmetic dentistry as a way to change the color, shape and overall appearance of a person’s teeth. Veneers consist of a thin material that is adhered to the surface of the tooth. They can either be applied directly to the tooth or fabricated in a laboratory and then adhered to the tooth. In most cases the teeth that are undergoing the veneer process will need to be filed down somewhat before the dentist applies the coating. This can lead to one of the disadvantages of dental veneers, like damage to the tooth and loss of irreplaceable enamel.

Porcelain veneers while more expensive than the resin ones are more popular as well. These are more durable and provide a more aesthetically pleasing result. Porcelain veneers are also less susceptible to stains-less trips to the dentist for teeth whitening. It is of popular opinion that dental veneers made of porcelain look closer to that of real teeth then resin veneers. However, resin veneers are said to cause less overall damage to the tooth as they require less of the tooth to be filed down. During a patient’s initial visits to his/her dentist the topic of veneers if that is of interest will be covered.

This is a time when you should discuss with your dental care provider which type you think you prefer and he/she will be able to recommend you the best for your situation.

So, what reasons are there for getting dental veneers? What types of problems do these coatings repair? In actuality they aren’t just for cosmetic purposes. If your teeth are discolored, or you have any uneven or broken teeth your dentist may recommend veneers. This procedure may even be recommended if there are excessive gaps amongst your teeth. In an average lifetime, the tooth goes through a lot of wear and tear. Whether from the use of medicine, habits such as smoking and excessive caffeine consumption, genetics, or from previous dental work, a person’s teeth are never perfect.

Dental veneers are just one of the simpler ways that small problems can be fixed.

The process of having dental veneers applied is a simple process. It involves three steps which will occur over a series of three dental appointments: consultation, preparation and bonding. In your first appointment all of your concerns and choices will be addressed. Your second appointment will involve the molding process in which the dentist casts a replica of your teeth to help with the fabrication process of the veneers in the lab. Your final visit will involve the bonding of the final veneers to your teeth.