Every decade has a defining beauty mark. The 80’s had big hair. The 90’s had grunge. And the current look? Picture-perfect smiles -- by way of porcelain veneers.

Porcelain veneers, also known as laminate porcelain veneers, are thin wafers of porcelain that are bonded to your teeth in order to mask smile imperfections such as chips, stains and gaps. Applied by general and cosmetic dentists, porcelain veneers have become a popular cosmetic solution because of their natural appearance and durability.

Porcelain Veneers vs. Bonding and Crowns

Sometimes all you want is a little change. And sometimes that’s all you need. If that sounds like you, then bonding or crowns are probably the way to go. But if you want a more dramatic smile change, you should consider porcelain veneers -- because unlike bonding or crowns, porcelain veneers can completely redesign your smile.

You might also prefer porcelain veneers because they:

- Last longer than bonding
- Require less prepping than crowns
- Look more natural
- Are stain resistant

The Porcelain Veneers Procedure

If your tooth imperfections are severe, it may affect how long your porcelain veneers procedure takes. The same applies for the type of porcelain veneers you choose.

However, a porcelain veneers procedure generally involves three steps :

- Diagnosis and Treatment Planning -- This is the stage when you discuss your smile goals with your dentist who will then examine your teeth and devise a treatment plan specifically for you.

- Preparation -- Some brands of porcelain veneers require more prepping than others. Prepping is when your dentist removes part of the tooth in order to make room for the new veneer. A mold is then made of your teeth and sent to an off-site laboratory where your custom-made veneers are made.

- Bonding -- During this appointment, your dentist will check your veneers for fit and color. Adjustments are made as needed, then your dentist will cement the veneers into place using a special curing light.

Brands of Porcelain Veneers

One of the best things about modern cosmetic dentistry is having a lot of products from which to choose. Some brands of porcelain veneers require little to no prep work and some are more stain resistant than others.

Television shows such as “Extreme Makeover” and “The Swan” have practically made veneers a household name by featuring da Vinci Veneers™ . “Low prep” porcelain veneers, LUMINEERS® by Cerinate®, have also been featured in Shape and News USA. Other well-known brands of porcelain veneers include MACVENEERS™, Empress® and DURAthin®.

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