ANSWERS

What is a porcelain veneer?

A porcelain veneer is a thin ceramic shell, typically 0.3 to 0.7mm thick, bonded to the facial surface of a tooth to correct shape, shade, alignment, or wear. Modern veneers are pressed lithium disilicate or feldspathic porcelain, layered on a refractory die for translucency.

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Material and construction

A porcelain veneer is a custom ceramic restoration bonded to the front of a prepared tooth. At Dani Dental, the two materials in active rotation are pressed lithium disilicate (IPS e.max, around 400 MPa flexural strength) for cases needing durability, and feldspathic porcelain layered on a refractory die for the highest-esthetic anterior cases where translucency and incisal characterization matter more than raw strength. Thickness runs 0.3mm to 0.7mm depending on prep design and the case plan.

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How long do porcelain veneers last?

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry documents a 10 to 15 year survival range for bonded porcelain veneers when prep is conservative and the bond protocol is followed correctly. Lithium disilicate cases trend toward the upper end. Most failures are bond-related or occlusion-related rather than ceramic fracture, which is why prep design, isolation during bonding, and occlusal management at delivery drive longevity more than the material choice itself.

What is the difference between pressed and layered porcelain veneers?

Pressed veneers (typically IPS e.max lithium disilicate) are milled or pressed as a monolithic unit at around 400 MPa flexural strength. Layered feldspathic veneers are built up stain-and-stack on a refractory die, fired across multiple cycles to achieve incisal translucency and internal characterization. Pressed wins on strength and turnaround (7 to 10 business days). Layered wins on esthetics for single anterior teeth matched against natural dentition. The case plan dictates which.

What information does the lab need to fabricate a porcelain veneer?

Dani Dental needs an intraoral scan or PVS impression, the shade designation with photos under three lighting conditions (daylight, operatory, polarized if available), a stick-bite or facebow reference for anterior cases, the prep design notes, and the case plan. For full smile designs of 6 units or more, a wax-up approval or digital smile design sign-off before fabrication prevents remakes downstream. The technician assigned to the case is available by direct line during planning.

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This answer is one piece of a larger workflow. The pillar page covers materials, turnaround, and how we build the case to your specification.

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