Those familiar with cosmetic dentistry should know that dental veneers are among one of the most popular procedures provided under this growing branch of dentistry. Dental veneers are essentially thin sheets of a composite material or porcelain that are bonded to a patient’s front teeth. They can prove miracle workers to those who suffer from tooth gaps, tooth discoloration, or tooth misalignment. Veneers can effectively mask such dental problems and provide the patient with a beautiful and long-lasting smile. Veneers are often preferred by celebrities as they provide quick and natural looking results. Most of these people don’t have time to complete an orthodontic course of treatment. These thin tooth coverings are not only durable, but also resistant to staining. They can prove invaluable to those who suffer from severe tooth discoloration. Veneers are able to mimic teeth so well that they are often perceived to be real teeth.

Two variations of dental veneers are currently available – porcelain veneers and composite veneers. The former are thin shells of porcelain that are custom made for a patient’s needs. They are not made on-site but rather at a dental laboratory. They are extremely durable once bonded to the patient’s teeth and have a lifespan that can easily exceed ten years. Porcelain veneers are demanding of considerably more installation labor than composite veneers, and their cost is reflective of this fact. Taking into account their long lifespan and natural look, they are an excellent option for those who have money to spare.

Composite veneers, on the other hand, are fabricated of a special resin consisting of artificial materials. These veneers can be installed in a smaller number of dental visits as they do not require lab work for fabrication. The dentist can simply prepare the patients’ teeth and begin shaping the veneers afterwards. Composite veneers, like their porcelain counterparts, are resistant to staining. Hence, they are a good option for those who suffer from tooth discoloration.

As previously noted, neither porcelain nor composite veneers can be appended to a patient’s teeth without proper preparation. A patient’s existing tooth enamel will have to be somewhat remove as to create a proper bonding surface of the veneers. Tooth reshaping must also take place as to make way for the added bulk of the veneers. Those considering dental veneers should remember that tooth enamel cannot be restored. A patient must commit him or herself to veneers as their teeth will no longer be capable of warding off decay.

A significant downside to veneers lies in the fact that they can be costly. Many have reported fantastic results with Lumineers, a thinner variant of porcelain veneers. They require a reduced amount of preparation work and thus allow patients to move through the treatment process a bit faster. Lumineers do a very good job at mimicking the appearance of actual teeth and are durable once appended to the patient’s teeth. Lumineers are backed by a 20 year warranty, which is rather indicative of their high quality.

Those interested in pursuing the dental veneer procedure should take some time to locate providers within their local area. A consultation appointment can be made to familiarize yourself with prospective doctors and with the procedure itself. Most patients make the mistake of rushing the process, something which can result in undesireable results. Those who take the time to find a competent dentist will have the most to gain from this procedure.