DEFINITION:

Veneers are thin shells that cover the front surface of the teeth, restoring the teeth by correcting their contours, colour, and dimensions. Therefore, they improve the appearance of the smile.

Veneers are made of porcelain or composite.

Porcelain veneers are more commonly used because of their esthetic advantage. They require two visits to the dental office. After the dentist has examined the teeth and the x-rays, the first appointment implies the removal of about half a millimeter of enamel all around the tooth, done under anesthetics, to prepare it in view of placing a veneer. An impression of the teeth is then taken and sent to the dental laboratory, where the veneers are made. Temporary veneers are placed on the teeth until the following appointment. The second visit, two to three weeks later, is for the cementation of the permanent veneers. The dentist removes the temporary veneers, verifies the adaptation and the color of the porcelain veneers, before installing them with dental cement.

Composite veneers require only one visit.

APPLICATIONS:

Veneers are commonly used to fix the following dental problems:

•Stained teeth that teeth whitening cannot improve.

•Teeth that are worn down to a certain extent (severe worn down cases are better repaired with crowns).

•Mildly fractured teeth.

•Misaligned teeth, though it is recommended to consider orthodontics first.

•Diastemas (i.e. space between teeth), though orthodontics can also be effective.

SOURCES:     Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (www.wikipedia.org).

                            WebMD, better information, better health (www.webmd.com).