Veneers and onlays are both thin porcelain restorations bonded to your teeth, but they solve different problems. Veneers change how your front teeth look. Onlays rebuild back teeth that are too damaged for a filling but still too healthy for a full crown.
Porcelain veneers
A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain bonded to the front of a tooth. Veneers can:
- Cover stains that do not improve with whitening.
- Close small gaps between teeth.
- Fix chipped, worn or uneven edges.
- Make teeth that are slightly crooked or different in size look more even.
Each veneer is made individually, with a shape and shade chosen to suit your face and your other teeth. Veneers are a cosmetic treatment, so we first check that your teeth and gums are healthy. Cavities or gum disease are treated before we start.
Porcelain onlays
When a large cavity or an old filling has weakened a back tooth, an onlay replaces the damaged part, including the chewing cusps, with a custom piece of porcelain. Because only the damaged part is removed, an onlay preserves more natural tooth than a crown, and the bonded porcelain strengthens what remains.
The process
- Consultation. We examine your teeth, take photos and X-rays, and talk about the result you want.
- Preparation. Under local anesthesia, we remove a thin layer of enamel for veneers, or the damaged part of the tooth for onlays.
- Impressions and shade, so the lab can make restorations that fit precisely.
- Temporaries protect the teeth while the final pieces are made.
- Bonding. We check the fit and the color with you, bond them permanently and adjust your bite.
Caring for veneers and onlays
Brush and floss as usual, and avoid biting hard objects like ice, pens or fingernails. If you grind your teeth, a night guard helps protect your porcelain.
Is it the right treatment for you?
If you mainly want whiter teeth, whitening alone may be enough. If your teeth are very crooked, braces may be a better first step. When a tooth is badly damaged, a crown may be stronger. At your consultation we tell you which option fits your case.
