Teeth that are strong can be cosmetically restored by the application of veneers. These are porcelain form fit shells that can be used to restore chipped, gapped, stained, or mis-aligned teeth. This is a much more conservative restoration then the use of crowns, and provides a stronger, longer lasting, alternative to bonding.

Initially, the tooth is prepared by removing a small amount of the enamel from the front of the tooth (usually 0.3 - 0.5 mm). An impression of the tooth is made which is sent to a lab that will construct the veneer.

On the next appointment, the dentist will fit the veneer. If it meets the dentist's and patient's approval, then the veneer is bonded to the tooth, trimmed, and polished. It can take a few hours to shape and bond the veneer, but typically the result is very aesthetically pleasing.