Veneers are a fantastic way to enhance a less-than perfect smile. If they are applied by a reputable cosmetic dentist—and if you take good care of them—your veneers can last twenty years or more. Choosing high-quality porcelain is the way to go since it looks incredibly natural. However, you may be surprised to learn that there are different sub-categories of porcelain veneers. Read on to see which kind would work best for your needs.

Standard Veneers

Standard veneers work well for patients who want to fix a multitude of issues in one go. If you would require a combination of contouring, whitening, orthodontics, and/or bonding to get your desired results, then standard veneers can be a great alternative solution.

But keep in mind that standard veneers are not a panacea for poor dental health. If you have gum disease or decayed teeth, then any kind of veneer is not a good option.

Some people are dismissive of standard veneers because of the required enamel removal. Keep in mind that this removal is less than a millimeter. In fact, many patients don't require local anesthetic since such little enamel is removed. If you were to get crowns, you'd likely require two to four times as much enamel shaving for the cosmetic prostheses to fit.

If you want to be cost-effective and fix many problems (e.g., chips, stains, malocclusions) in one go, then the enamel removal shouldn't deter you from standard veneers.

No-Prep Veneers

Not convinced that enamel removal is for you? Then no-prep veneers may be a better option. No-prep veneers—sometimes called Lumineers—are very similar to standard veneers in that they are bonded to the surface of your teeth.

Enamel removal isn't typically required because many of these veneers are made with in-office CAD/CAM devices. This means that instead of having your veneers constructed by hand at a lab, a computer manufactures the veneers to great precision, so they can be much thinner than standard veneers. As you can imagine, this does increase the cost. So if cost is an important factor, it may be better to stick to standard veneers.

No-prep veneers are also better for patients with diastema, or gaps between their teeth. If you have very crowded teeth, then no-prep veneers may look bulky. If the goal of your treatment is to add prostheses for improved aesthetics, then, no-prep veneers can look very nice.

Palatal Veneers

Do you grind your teeth or have chips at the bottom of your teeth? If so, then palatal veneers can help fix the problem. Palatial veneers are mainly used for anterior teeth. Instead of adhering to the front surfaces of the tooth, they actually slide over the tooth.

But palatal veneers are not to be confused with crowns. While dental crowns encase the entire tooth, palatial veneers only slide over a portion of the tooth to replace missing or worn enamel. These veneers are good for patients who only need to fix a couple of teeth or who want a more cost-effective solution.

Lastly, keep in mind that whatever veneer you choose, good oral health is key to their longevity. This means that you need to brush and floss regularly. Bacteria can get trapped between the veneer shells and your natural teeth if you aren't diligent. This in turn can lead to root canals or the need for crowns.

It's also important to eat the right foods Staining beverages like coffee can discolor your veneers much like your natural enamel. Like orthodontic patients, you'll also want to avoid chewing on hard or sticky foods. The wrong foods could crack or even snap the veneers off. Your dentist can advise you on which foods you should avoid.