Healthy teeth that do not require rehabilitation, but are not as aesthetically pleasing as you would like can be cosmetically restored by the application of veneers.
Veneers are porcelain form fit shells that can be used to restore chipped, malformed, or stained teeth. They are more conservative than the use of crowns, and offer a stronger, longer lasting, alternative to bonding.
Your dentist will prepare the tooth by removing a small amount of the enamel from the front of the tooth (usually 0.3 - 0.5 mm). After this the dentist will take an impression of the tooth that will be used by a lab to create the veneer.
During the second visit the dentist will fit the veneer to the tooth for which it was made and if it meets the dentist's and patient's approval, then the veneer is bonded to the tooth. Once the bonding material hardens the dentist will trim and polish it so that it looks as natural as possible and that the patient's bite is comfortable. The second visit may last an hour or two, but it is well worth it.
Veneers have become one of the most popular procedures in cosmetic dentistry. They usually last for at least four years, and only require two trips to your dentist.