Porcelain veneers are thin shells that cover the front of a tooth and are matched to the color of the surrounding teeth. They can last 15 years or longer with proper care and cover up cosmetic issues like minor cracks or chips in the teeth, small gaps between pearly whites, stains, minor alignment issues, and misshapen teeth. To attach them to your teeth, your dentist will need to remove a thin layer of enamel. Read on to learn how much enamel is removed for veneers as well as why they do this.