Veneers

Veneers are thin shells of dental material (ceramic or composite resin) bonded to the front surface of your front teeth to improve their the shape, colour, and overall appearance.

Diagnostic process

Your dentist will perform clinical examination and assess your suitability for veneers. If deemed suitable, your dentist may provide you with a mock-up work so that you can see if you are happy with how it would look with the proposed veneers.

Ceramic (porcelain) veneers

Veneers are generally done as indirect restoration, in which case ceramic is used. The process is similar to other indirect restorations, such as crowns, inlays, or onlays. Please see our section on indirect restorations for more details.

Unlike other indirect restorations, veneers are done predominantly for aesthetic purposes. The teeth may be healthy without any decay but the shape, colour, and appearance may not be favourable.

Beware that porcelain veneers are minimally invasive and irreversible procedures. Sometimes, when it is just the colour of your teeth that is unfavourable, you may want to try tooth whitening first.

Composite veneers

Veneers can also be done as direct restoration, in which case composite resin is generally used. Composite veneers may be done without preparing your teeth, rendering them non-invasive and reversible.

Your dentist will discuss with you an appropriate option depending on your situation.