A full veneer crown is described as "a restoration that covers all the coronal tooth surfaces (mesial, distal, facial, lingual and occlusal)".

[citation needed] Laminate veneer, on the other hand, is a thin layer that covers only the surface of the tooth and is generally used for aesthetic purposes.

Leading dentists[7] caution that minor superficial damage or normal wear to the teeth is not justification for porcelain or ceramic veneers.

This is because the preparation needed to apply a veneer may in some cases destroy 3–30%[1] of the tooth's surface if performed by an inexperienced dentist.

[8] Some cosmetic dentists may push unnecessarily for prosthodontic treatment in adolescents or young to middle-aged adults who have otherwise healthy teeth that only necessitate whitening or more routine cleaning.

As preparation for veneers requires shaving down the tooth in some cases, sensitivity and decay will be a problem even if the procedure is properly performed.

Veneer placement should be limited to individuals with significant aesthetic problems, such as badly cracked or broken teeth, that do not meet the requirements for a crown or full replacement.

Additional contraindications include but are not limited to the following: poor oral hygiene, uncontrolled gingival disease, high cavities rate, parafunction, no enamel, unreasonable patient expectations, large existing restorations.

Veneers were invented by California dentist Charles Pincus in 1928 to be used for a film shoot for temporarily changing the appearance of actors' teeth.

They may have to be replaced in this time due to cracking, leaking, chipping, discoloration, decay, shrinkage of the gum line and damage from injury or tooth grinding.

Findings suggest that with proper case selection and maintenance, veneers exhibit high survival rates, with minimal complications such as marginal discoloration or secondary caries.