What are they?
A veneer is a thin layer of tooth—coloured material that is put onto the front of the tooth to make it look better. The tooth might have been damaged by decay or an accident or be discoloured.

What will my dentist do?
Veneers are usually made out of porcelain by a dental technician. This technique will involve at least two visits to the dentist.

• Your dentist will check any fillings in the teeth first
• A very small amount of natural tooth material needs to be removed – just enough to prevent the veneer from looking or feeling bulky.
• The dentist will then use a putty like material to make a mould of your mouth ( called an impression ) , so the dental technician can tell the shape and size of veneer to make for you.
• Your dentist will glue the veneer made by the technician to the tooth when you next visit.

What are the side effects?

Veneers sometimes come away from the tooth or break if the tooth is knocked. They can sometimes be glued back on, but will have to be replaced if they are damaged.

What are the benefits?

• Veneers can greatly improve your appearance. They hide imperfections and you lose very little natural tooth material.
• Veneers can protect teeth from further damage. For example, acidic food and drink can wear away the teeth causing them to become thin and weak. In cases like these, veneers can protect them.

If the tooth is strong, a veneer is often a better option than a crown for improving a tooth’s appearance.