Dental veneers are ultra thin shells that are bonded with the front surface of the teeth to enhance the aesthetics. The dental veneer technology has greatly advanced over the years and is now made from very superior qualities of porcelain. They are aesthetically superior and the material is hard enough to last a number of years.

However, the function of dental veneers is purely cosmetic. It successfully hides damage, stains, discolorations, and yellowing of the teeth, and makes them appear bright, white and naturally beautiful. Chipped or uneven teeth can also be improved in looks with dental veneers. They also help to hide the gaps or spaces between teeth and make the teeth appear more uniform. However, dental veneers do not play any role in protecting the user's teeth from decay.

In fact, the person using veneers should take proper care of his or her oral health and hygiene in order to prevent any occurrence of decay. This will help to prolong the life of the veneers. The person must ideally see a dentist every six months in order to maintain good oral health. Usually a bite guard is recommended. The guard is worn at night to protect the porcelain from clenching.

Dental decay may occur in normal circumstances if the person does not maintain proper oral hygiene, or follows an unbalanced diet. Therefore, the person using veneers cannot afford any laxity in maintaining good oral hygiene and a balanced diet. It is wrong to assume that dental veneers will prevent the occurrence of dental decay in any way.

A minor level of tooth preparation is required before the dental veneers can be bonded to the tooth surface. There is a minimal amount of tooth structure that may need to be removed for most veneers. But there is no serious risk to the tooth structure if the veneers are applied by a qualified and experienced dentist who specializes in this procedure.

A skilled dentist will take great care to ensure that the tooth preparation is kept to the minimum, and that there is no threat to the tooth structure in the long run. So the key to a successful procedure lies in the skill and handling of the operating dentist and his or her team.