What is a dental veneer?

A dental veneer is a thin, natural-looking layer of fortified porcelain or composite material that bonds to the face of your own tooth. Veneers are an excellent way to mask aesthetic issues caused by gaps, cracks, chips, or staining.

My teeth are crooked, but I don’t want braces.

Great news! With dental veneers, you can have the appearance of well-aligned teeth within just a few weeks. Veneers are sometimes referred to as instant orthodontics. Veneers are an ideal solution for most people who are ready to improve their smiles, but do not want to realign their teeth by wearing conventional braces.

I want to keep as much of my natural tooth as possible.

The placement of dental veneers is a conservative dental procedure that can alter the position, shape, size and color of teeth to create a beautiful, vibrant smile. Only 0.5 to 0.8 mm of a tooth’s surface needs to be removed in order to accommodate a dental veneer. This equates to the approximate thickness of a postcard. In some cases, tooth reduction may not even be necessary. Veneers are made of materials that are durable, attractive, and stain resistant.

Are dental veneers for me? 

Dr. Sanaz is an expert in porcelain and composite veneers, and she teaches the preparation and application of veneers and crowns at U.S.C. School of Dentistry.