Veneers are customised thin ‘shells’ that fit over existing natural teeth to change colour, size, shape and generally improve the appearance of your smile. When considering veneers there are two main materials of fabrication; Porcelain and Composite. Porcelain veneers are permanently bonded to the natural teeth by reshaping each tooth’s surface to fit within the ‘shell’ of the new veneer. Porcelain is the strongest material, providing the best longevity from a veneer(approximately 8-15 years if properly cared for) Their uniform, and light reflecting finish provides a polished yet extremely natural appearance while being stain resistant and biocompatible. Composite veneers are constructed using the same type of materials that are used for fillings and other dental treatments. This biocompatible, tooth coloured resin is hand shaped and coloured to custom specifications as required and then light cured. When bonding composite veneers using an acid etching technique, less of the tooth’s enamel needs to be removed or reshaped. Though strong, they have less of a life span and can be susceptible to staining however, they are a less expensive restorative solution than their porcelain counterparts.