A porcelain veneer also known as dental veneer, tooth veneer, dental porcelain laminate is a thin layer of porcelain that is made to fit over the front surface of a tooth.
Veneers are also used to lighten discoloured teeth, to close spaces between front teeth and to straighten squint teeth .

Porcelain veneers are generally used to rectify the cosmetic appearance of teeth that are discoloured, worn, chipped, or misaligned. The tooth's colour, size, and/or shape is changed by the ceramic material that is bonded to the front of teeth

Difference between porcelain veneers & dental crowns
Porcelain veneers only cover the front of a tooth whereas dental crowns typically encase an entire tooth

Main advantages of porcelain veneers:
1. Porcelain veneers give the appearance of real teeth
As they are translucent, so when they are bonded onto a tooth's surface, they mimic the light-handling characteristics of enamel.
2. Porcelain veneers resist staining
They are not susceptible to staining and discolouring like other forms of dental bonding. This means that the surface of a porcelain veneer will not pick up permanent stains.
Risks of using porcelain veneers: