Dental v eneers are simply thin plates made of porcelain or another material (e.g. composite) that are bonded to the front surface of the teeth. They are primarily an alternative to dental crowns - the placement of a veneer on a tooth is associated with less interference than with crowns. However, if they were a far more favourable option than dental crowns, dentists would only offer patients veneers. This is definitely not the case, and some dentists are even opposed to veneers - this is because, although improving the smile with them has various advantages, it also has disadvantages.

Among the advantages of dental veneers are:

• the possibility of correcting a variety of problems: veneers can be used both for a person who has uneven teeth and can also be fitted to a patient who is keen to have significantly whiter teeth,
• durability: it is estimated that once fitted, veneers can last for as long as several (about 5-10) years,
• possibility to adjust the shape of the veneer to the needs and expectations of the patient,
• veneers are not subject to discolouration resulting from e.g. drinking coffee or red wine,
• the surface of the tooth needs to be ground down considerably less than in the case of dental crowns.

Unfortunately,veneers also have disadvantages:

• price: dental v eneers are quite expensive; their prices are often similar to the cost of dental crowns,
• possible damage to the veneer: the veneer may break or simply peel off - a peeled-off veneer may be reattached, but if it breaks, a new veneer is usually necessary,
• it is not possible to place a veneer on any tooth: this is the case, for example, with dead teeth on which veneers are not placed,
• the final appearance of the teeth is influenced not only by the colour of the veneer, but also by the natural colour of the patient's teeth.