A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain that’s bonded to the front of your existing teeth to change the size, color, shape, and alignment of your teeth to give you a realistic and beautiful smile.

You would need veneers if you’re unhappy with the size or color of your teeth, or if your teeth are misaligned or you have spaces between them. Veneers can be made to your preferences and will help improve your smile.

It depends person to person, but it’s most often an even number to ensure that your smile is symmetrical and balanced. The most common number is 10 veneers for the top teeth and 10 on the bottom, which would fill the smile from edge to edge. Some people can experience a significant improvement in their smile with less, and some with very wide smiles may need more.

Many years ago, porcelain veneers had to be made thick to prevent breakage, which resulted in very opaque and block-looking teeth. Due to modern advancements in porcelain technology, they can now be made very thin – almost translucent – which provides a much more realistic and natural look, while still providing incredible strength. This has allowed porcelain veneers to give you a beautiful and natural looking smile.

With anything in dentistry, nothing lasts forever. With good brushing and flossing habits and regular cleanings at your dentist, the average lifespan of veneers is about 10 years. Over the course of 10 years, the microscopic layer of adhesive between the veneer and your tooth may eventually deteriorate which may result in stains around the perimeter of the veneer, the veneer coming loose, or it can allow bacteria underneath the veneer which can lead to a cavity. Veneers may also chip and break just like your natural teeth can.