How do veneers work?

How do veneers work?

The ADA's MouthHealthy page describes veneers as custom-made, natural-looking coverings for the front surface of teeth, made from high-quality dental material, with porcelain and composite the two main types. Cleveland Clinic says they are made from tooth-colored composite or porcelain and custom-made to fit your teeth. They work by covering the visible surface of a tooth, hiding chips, stains, gaps or an uneven shape, and the dentist matches the color shade to your natural teeth.

What are veneers used for?

MouthHealthy says veneers can improve teeth that are chipped, broken, stained, crooked or misshapen, and can mask gaps. They are considered cosmetic. They are not a treatment for decay or gum disease, and MouthHealthy says placing them over untreated decay or gum disease may worsen those problems.

How are teeth prepared for veneers?

Cleveland Clinic says porcelain veneers require removing some enamel, which roughens the tooth surface and helps the new veneer stay in place, and that the dentist takes impressions for custom veneers. MouthHealthy says the dentist removes a small amount of enamel from the front and sides of the tooth, and that because enamel is removed the treatment is not reversible. Composite veneers, it says, may require less enamel removal, and Cleveland Clinic says they do not need impressions. Our guide on what teeth look like under veneers goes through this.

How are veneers fitted?

Cleveland Clinic says that when porcelain veneers are made in a lab, a dentist can place temporary veneers while you wait, which can take a few weeks. MouthHealthy also says you may wear a temporary one. Neither page walks through the bonding step in detail, so we do not describe it here. It may take a few days to get used to a veneer, and MouthHealthy says to tell your dentist if your bite feels wrong.

Porcelain versus composite veneers

Both sources name porcelain and composite. MouthHealthy describes porcelain veneers as a thin shell. Cleveland Clinic says composite veneers do not need impressions. Beyond that, the sources we read do not compare strength, look or lifespan, and our guide on how long porcelain veneers last reports the lifespan figures and where they differ.

Do snap-on veneers work?

Neither source covers snap-on or pop-on veneers, so we cannot say how well they work or what the risks are. They are removable covers and not the bonded veneers these sources describe, which is general knowledge and flagged. Ask a dentist before buying any veneer product, because MouthHealthy warns that unlicensed providers may cause infection and nerve damage and may place veneers over unhealthy teeth.

Do whitening strips work on veneers?

Healthline's page on whitening strips, which we cite in our whitening guides, says existing fillings, crowns, bridges and implants will not change color; veneers are not named, and the sources we read do not test strips on veneers. Veneers are made of porcelain or composite, so strips are unlikely to change their color, which is our reasoning and flagged. Ask your dentist before whitening, since a veneer and your natural teeth can end up different shades.

What are the risks and how do you look after them?

Cleveland Clinic lists loss of at least some natural enamel, being usually irreversible, increased sensitivity to heat and cold, a veneer falling off, and possible decay in the natural tooth underneath. MouthHealthy says veneers may chip, crack, wear down or loosen, that clenching, grinding or a deep overbite may make them a poor choice, and advises avoiding nail biting and chewing hard objects, wearing a mouthguard for sports, limiting coffee, tea and red wine, and brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between teeth daily.

Questions to ask your dentist

Take these to your consultation.

• Are porcelain or composite veneers better for my teeth?
• How much enamel will you remove?
• Will I have temporary veneers?
• Do I clench or grind, and does that affect my choice?
• What happens if a veneer comes off or chips?

Frequently asked questions