Dental Veneer or laminates is a thin outer cosmetic covering for teeth. They are usually Composite, Porcelain / Ceramic, but can be made of other materials too, including Gold. Dental veneers have become more popular as a relatively quick way to cosmetically improve one's smile, just like many film stars have done this too. However, it is important that this type of work is done expertly and in a way that creates enough improvement in one's smile, to justify the time, expense and the removal of sound tooth structure. Veneers can beautify your smile by improving the position, color and shape of one or more of your teeth. 

A veneer is often a thin shell of composite or ceramic material that's bonded to a tooth, generally covering only its front and top. This process removes less tooth structure than doing a crown, but depends upon sound tooth being there as they are not as strong as crowns. Veneers can be used to close spaces between your teeth, lengthen small, protruded teeth, or whiten darkened teeth. And if your teeth are chipped or beginning to wear, veneers can protect them from damage and even restore their original looks. In general, Veneers need to be done before there is much tooth damage or destruction, otherwise you may be better with crown.

If teeth are really dark, they can be bleached lighter first, so Veneers don't suffer from "Dark" shine through!

The Veneer is only as good as the tooth to which it is being bonded. If the underlying tooth is weak or compromised, this is obviously more likely to have problems than a strong, sound underlying tooth. A heavy bite may also fracture a Veneer during use, but this may only be discovered after "functional" chewing usage. Many patients are willing to risk this, knowing they can usually progress to a stronger crown if needed, but not committing to crown preparations with the greater tooth removal, in the first instance. Where many filled teeth are in a heavy chewing forces, then it is wiser to go for the crowns.

How long do porcelain laminates lasts?

This depends on many factors, but 5 to 15 years would be reasonable, if they were fitted in favourable circumstances. However, some fail earlier and may need to be re-bonded or re-prepared as crowns instead. This is where specialist dentist?s initial assessment is so important!