Veneer
A veneer is a thin layer of restorative material placed over the outside of a tooth, either to improve the aesthetics of a tooth (colour, shape, length, position, etc.), or to protect a damaged tooth surface. There are two main types of material used to fabricate a veneer; composite (white plastic) and porcelain. A composite veneer may be placed directly onto an etched tooth surface.
In contrast, porcelain veneers are made in a laboratory, where a Dental Ceramist fabricates the veneer/ veneers. At a subsequent appointment, the porcelain veneer is bonded to the tooth. The advantage of veneers (especially indirect porcelain veneers) is their excellent aesthetics, longevity and their preservation of natural tooth structure. However, veneers are only suitable to restore teeth that have significant amounts of intact tooth surface available for bonding.
Veneers may not be suitable for some types of patients (e.g. very high forces).