Porcelain veneers are made of porcelain and are placed on the surface of the teeth to change and improve their appearance. By placing the porcelain material on the teeth, the veneer effectively helps change the size, shape, and color of the tooth or teeth. Porcelain veneers are especially popular as the porcelain material resists stains better than other materials that are used, thus the teeth can remain sparkling white. Your cosmetic dentist may recommend porcelain veneers in cases where the teeth are broken or chipped; are misshaped or have gaps in between them that need to be covered.