Crowns and other extra-coronal restorations: Porcelain laminate veneers

Porcelain veneers are resin-bonded to the underlying tooth and provide a conservative method of improving appearance or modifying contour, without resorting to a full coverage crown. The porcelain laminate veneer is now a frequently prescribed restoration for anterior teeth. The sums spent by the Dental Practice Board on this type of treatment increased from quarter of a million pounds in 1988/89 to over seven million in 1994/95,(1) representing some 113,582 treatments. Since that time the number has stabilised at over 100,000 veneers prescribed each year.(2) The objective of this paper is to give a practical guide on providing these restorations.