Glossary

Veneers Glossary

Essential terms for understanding dental veneers — the types available, the preparation process, and the cosmetic concerns they address.

Porcelain Veneers

Thin shells of porcelain that are custom-made to fit over the front surface of your teeth.

Composite Veneers

Made from a tooth-colored resin material and applied directly to the teeth.

No-Prep Veneers

Require little to no preparation of the natural tooth structure before placement.

Chipped or Broken Teeth

To repair minor chips or cracks in teeth.

Discolored Teeth

To mask stains or discoloration that doesn't respond to whitening.

Gaps Between Teeth (Diastema)

To close spaces between teeth.

Misshapen Teeth

To improve the shape or size of teeth.

Slightly Crooked Teeth

To improve the alignment of mildly crooked teeth.

Worn-Down Teeth

To restore teeth that have been worn down due to grinding or age.

Bonding

The process of attaching the veneer to the tooth using a special dental cement.

Etching

Applying an acidic solution to prepare the tooth surface for bonding.

Impression

A mold taken of the prepared tooth to create a custom-made veneer.

Preparation (for Traditional Veneers)

Removing a small amount of enamel from the tooth surface to make space for the veneer.

Temporary Veneers

Veneers worn while the permanent veneers are being made.

Composite Bonding

Using composite resin to repair minor chips or cracks in teeth.

Enamel

The hard, outer layer of the tooth.

Lumineers

A brand of no-prep veneers.

Smile Design

The process of planning and creating an aesthetically pleasing smile.

Wax-up

A model of the proposed veneer placement, used for planning and visualization.