One of the treatment options provided by cosmetic dentistry is called porcelain veneers. These are also called veneers or porcelain laminate veneers. They are basically porcelain wafers which are custom made and are put on the front of the teeth. Their purpose is two fold; to enhance the appearance of the teeth, and to fix the damage that has been done to the teeth. The effect that porcelain veneers have on the person's smile is very dramatic. The level of self confidence also shoots up. In the past celebrities and performers took extreme steps to improve their smile which went as far as false teeth and extracting teeth. But the process of porcelain veneers has changed that and it is a more moderate practice. Besides repairing teeth and improving the smile, porcelain veneers also help in fixing a number of cosmetic dental problems. Teeth which are stained or have lost their color can be whitened through this process, and they can also straighten out teeth which are crooked without involving the use of repair chips or braces. The process is carried out by initially removing a minute amount of the enamel, which is the outer layer of the tooth. The mold of the patient's mouth is then taken, and he is made to wear temporary veneers until the permanent ones are made. The whole process does not take more than a couple of hours.