What a veneer actually is
A veneer is a thin piece of porcelain — or, in some cases, composite resin — bonded to the front surface of a tooth. It changes what you see without replacing the tooth underneath it.
Veneers correct a surprising range of cosmetic problems: colour that will not respond to whitening, a chipped edge, a tooth that is slightly too short or too narrow, or a gap you have always disliked. You might have a single veneer to match one tooth to its neighbours, or several to change a whole smile.
Why porcelain
Porcelain handles light the way tooth enamel does — with a slight translucency that composite struggles to replicate. It is also highly stain-resistant, which is why a well-made porcelain veneer still looks right years after it was placed.
What to expect
- Consultation. We talk about what you want changed, look at what your teeth and bite will support, and agree on shade and shape.
- Preparation and impression. A small amount of enamel is prepared so the veneer sits flush rather than proud. We take a digital impression with the intra-oral scanner.
- The lab. Your veneers are custom made. We work with Expertec Dental Laboratory, and the quality of that partnership is a real part of the result.
- Placement. We try them in, check them with you in the mirror and in natural light, and then bond them.
Veneers are permanent. Because enamel is prepared to receive them, they are not a reversible treatment. That is exactly why we spend time on the consultation — you should be certain, and you should know what the result will look like before we start.
Common questions
Porcelain Veneers FAQs
What are veneers?
A veneer is a thin piece of porcelain or composite resin bonded to the front of your tooth. Veneers are used to correct cosmetic problems by improving the colour, shape, length or size of a tooth. You can have one veneer or several, depending on your goals.
Can porcelain veneers get chipped or fall off?
Porcelain is strong, but it is not indestructible — a veneer can chip under enough force, and a bond can fail. Avoid using your front teeth as tools, and if you grind your teeth at night, wear the nightguard. If something does go wrong, call us; a chipped or debonded veneer is usually straightforward to address.
Can veneers be whitened after they are applied?
No. Porcelain does not respond to whitening agents the way natural enamel does. This is why we whiten first, if you are planning to — we match the veneers to the shade you want to keep, so everything stays consistent afterwards.
Do veneers look fake?
Not when they are planned and made well. Shade, translucency, length and the small irregularities that make a smile look real are all choices — and we make them with you, not for you.
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