Porcelain veneers help to improve the appearance of teeth by correcting cosmetic complaints such as tooth discoloration, chips and gaps. Porcelain veneers are thin facades of a special dental ceramic that can be attached to the front of teeth. They generally, replace the entire tooth front and sometimes they even go up over the top of the tooth as well.   Because porcelain veneers are fitted only to the front of your teeth, they are not able to completely protect your teeth. They are not suitable for placing on a tooth that has received significant structural damage from decay, cracking, or previous fillings. In order to protect these teeth, you would need a dental crown.