Veneers are thin shell of composite or porcelain that is fixed to the front surface of the teeth by an adhesive. It is usually done on the anterior (front) teeth. Veneers are used in the following situations:
- To restore the tooth due to trauma or decay where conventional filling is not strong enough to withstand the forces of chewing.
- To change the shape of the teeth.
- To change the colour of the teeth when tooth whitening is not suitable.
- Can be used to close up spaces between anterior teeth.
In veneers, the dentist will trim the front surface of the tooth so a porcelain or composite shell would be adhered to the tooth by adhesive. The amount of tooth structure to be trimmed is very much less as compared to crown.
 The front surface of the veneer
The back surface of the veneer
“How long can the veneers lastâ€
Porcelain veneers are very strong and will not change colour unlike composite venners. However it is not advisable to bite hard food on the tooth with venners. With proper care, veneers are known to last for a long time.