Porcelain Veneers

What Kind of Problems Do Veneers Solve?

Veneers are a type of cosmetic dentistry that can be used to treat a number of concerns about the appearance of a patient’s teeth or smile, including:

• Stained, darkened or discoloured teeth
• Chipped or broken teeth
• Misaligned teeth or teeth with gaps
• Short teeth or teeth that have been worn down
• Crooked or crowded teeth

Do I Need Veneers?

Anyone who is unhappy with their smile could be a good candidate for veneers, particularly if you have healthy gums, good oral hygiene and good bone structure. If you want to change the colour, shape or size of your teeth, veneers could be a good option for you.

If you have crooked teeth and you want to fix this, you may wish to consider other options first; these might include braces or Invisalign.

Alternatives to Dental Veneers

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening can help to remove surface stains caused by things like coffee, red wine and soda. Teeth bleaching done at a dentist’s office can help to lighten teeth by up to 8 shades, so this can be a good option if staining or discolouration is the main problem.

Dental Bonding

This method can be used to repair chips or cracks in teeth. Typically, a tooth coloured resin and a bonding adhesive will be used to correct any imperfections in your teeth.

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns can be used to restore teeth that have been weakened or structurally compromised. Crowns can also be used to save a tooth from decay. This option is generally used when there is a medical need as well as an aesthetic one.

Invisalign

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that uses clear aligners to gradually manoeuvre teeth into alignment. Clear aligners are worn for a year or more to shift the teeth into place. This solution may be necessary when the teeth are so out of line that severe shaving would need to be done in order to fit veneers over them.

Cosmetic Contouring

This involves reshaping teeth and removing plaque and tartar. This is often done after an injury has been sustained that changed the shape of the teeth.

How Do Veneers Work?

Veneers are custom made shells of materials designed to be bonded to the surface of your teeth. Even if your tooth doesn't require grinding down, the surface will need to be roughened in order for the veneers to grip on properly. The veneers will need to be made specifically for your teeth, so you will require an appointment to make them and another appointment to apply them.

Misconceptions About Veneers and Teeth Shaving

There is a commonly held belief that veneers require someone’s teeth to be shaved down to sharp fangs before they can be applied. This is not the case. For most patients, minimal or no teeth shaving will be required in order to put the veneers on.

If someone’s teeth are very crooked and they don’t want to get braces or Invisalign before getting veneers then their teeth may need to be shaved quite significantly in order for the veneers to sit flush on them. Another case that may require significant shaving is if a patient wants the size of their teeth reduced.

In many cases, patients can get ‘prepless veneers’, in which only half a millimetre of enamel will need to be ground off the tooth in order to apply the veneers.

The Process: What Happens During a Dental Veneers Procedure?

You will need three appointments to get porcelain veneers. The first appointment will be a consultation, the second appointment will be to prepare the veneers and the final appointment will be to apply them. The entire process will take approximately 3 weeks.

Diagnosis and Planning for Treatment

In your initial appointment, the dentist will examine your teeth and discuss your goals with you. You will be informed about the limitations of the procedure and the dentist will do their best to make sure you understand what to expect.

The dentist may take some X-rays.

Preparation

During the prep stage, you will have an appointment in which a model or impression of your teeth will be made. During this appointment, the dentist will prepare your teeth and shave them down if necessary in order to ensure that the model is made to fit.

The veneers will be sent out to a laboratory where they will take 2-4 weeks to be made, so you will be fitted with temporary dental veneers in the meantime.

Application and Bonding

During the third appointment, the veneers will be placed on your teeth. The shape and position will be adjusted as needed and then dental bonding cement will be applied to seal them to the teeth. The shade of the veneers can also be adjusted using the cement.

Your teeth will be cleaned and polished before the veneers are applied. If they need to be etched or shaved further this will also be done. Any necessary adjustments will be made to the position and size of the veneers. Then, the dentist will shine a light on it to activate the chemicals in the cement and cause it to harden quickly. Any excess cement will be removed before the process is completed.

The dentist will discuss aftercare with you as well as a follow up appointment to check that there are no problems.

Porcelain Veneers vs Composite Veneers

It’s important to consider which type of veneers will best suit your needs before you commit to the procedure, particularly because porcelain veneers are permanent. Porcelain veneers and composite veneers have a number of differences between them that may affect your decision.

What is the Difference?

The differences between porcelain and composite veneers includes:

• Composite veneers are faster to apply
• Porcelain veneers are more expensive, but they last longer
• Composite veneers are not as strong as porcelain veneers
• If porcelain veneers are damaged, they cannot be repaired and will need to be replaced
• Porcelain veneers look more natural in terms of their ability to catch the light
• Porcelain veneers are stain resistant whereas composite veneers will stain like normal teeth
• Porcelain veneers are not reversible

Porcelain veneers are generally thought to be the better option because they are stronger and longer-lasting, offering better value for money. They are also more natural looking than composite veneers. The downside of getting porcelain veneers is that it is a permanent procedure, whereas composite veneers can be removed or repaired if need be.

Which Type of Veneers Should I Choose?

Porcelain veneers are a good choice for people who are looking for a permanent solution to dental concerns like uneven teeth, discolouration or worn down teeth. Composite veneers might be a good option for someone who wants a cheaper, more immediate solution.

How Much Do Porcelain Veneers Cost?

The cost of your veneers will vary depending on the type of veneers you’re getting, how many teeth are being done and who is performing the procedure.

Your health fund may not cover the cost of veneers because it is considered a voluntary procedure, but most private health insurance funds will cover part of the cost.

The Cost of Veneers in Sydney

The price of a single porcelain veneer can vary - if you are having a number of teeth done there may be package deals available. The price of a composite veneer can be noticeably cheaper than the price of a porcelain veneer. In Sydney, factors that influence cost of veneers include the equipment and time required, whether significant prep work is required, and more.

What Goes Into the Cost of Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers have a high price tag because they are a high quality material and the procedure utilises the latest technology in order to ensure they are as natural looking as possible.

Colour matching and characterising one porcelain veneer can be more time consuming than doing multiple, which is why they are priced individually.

Getting Porcelain Veneers: What to Expect

Getting porcelain veneers is quite a long process, as it requires three separate appointments. You will need to have an initial consultation, an appointment to make the veneers and then an appointment to apply them.

After the veneers are sent off to be made, you will be fitted with temporary veneers in the time between appointments (this can be 2-4 weeks). During this time you will only be able to eat soft foods.

After the veneers are bonded to your teeth you may experience a lot of pain, and depending on the advice from your dentist, you should often take painkillers immediately after the appointment. Your gums will also be red and swollen for about a week.

Veneers Before and After

Getting veneers can give you a perfectly white, natural looking smile that will help to increase your confidence. Porcelain veneers are extremely strong and long lasting and highly stain resistant, so you’re guaranteed a beautiful smile for years to come.

How Long Do Porcelain Veneers Last?

Porcelain veneers can last for up to 20 years if they are properly cared for. It’s important to follow up with regularly scheduled appointments after getting veneers so that any problems can be identified early.

Frequently Asked Questions About Porcelain Veneers

Are Veneers Permanent?

Getting porcelain veneers is an irreversible procedure because the tooth enamel will need to be shaved down in order to fit them on. However, they will need to be replaced every 10-20 years. They may need to be replaced earlier if they get damaged.

Do Porcelain Veneers Stain?

Porcelain dental veneers are highly stain resistant, so they will not stain like normal teeth. If you're interested in a perfectly white smile, porcelain veneers can help you achieve this.

What are Bonded Veneers?

Bonded veneers are also referred to as composite veneers, which are a cheaper alternative to porcelain veneers. Composite resin veneers can often be applied in one visit, where the dentist handcrafts the resin to the desired shape on the teeth.

Bonded veneers are slightly different to composite bonding, which is a procedure in which the composite is only applied to part of the surface of the tooth. This would be done when the tooth has been chipped or damaged in a specific area.

What are veneers made of?

Porcelain veneers are made of a thin ceramic material that is custom made to suit the shape of your teeth. A special cement is used to bond the ceramic shell to your teeth.

How long does it take to get veneers?

The process of getting porcelain veneers usually takes around 3 weeks, depending on how long the veneers take to get made and the time between your appointments.

You will need 3 appointments - one for a consultation, one for the veneers to be measured and made and a final appointment to apply the veneers. The veneers can take up to 4 weeks to be made.

Are there any risks associated with veneers?

Although this is a fairly low risk procedure, there are a few potential complications associated with getting veneers; including:

• The veneer cracking or falling off
• Gum shrinkage or recession, exposing the edge of the veneers
• Increased temperature sensitivity
• A difference in colour between the veneers and the natural teeth as they stain over time

Your cosmetic dentist will discuss all of the potential risks and complications with you before beginning the procedure.

How should veneers be maintained?

You will need to take care of your veneers in order to help them last as long as possible. You should use a soft toothbrush for the week immediately following the procedure and avoid hard foods. You should also avoid very hot or cold foods during this period.

You should maintain proper oral hygiene and keep up with regular dental appointments. If you grind your teeth in your sleep, you may need to ask your dentist for a mouthguard in order to avoid damaging the veneers.

Will my teeth need to be shaved to get veneers?

This will depend on the alignment of your teeth and the reason for getting veneers. In many cases, the teeth do not need to be shaved at all in order to fit the veneers on. The enamel will just need to be shaved back to allow the veneers to bond to the surface of the teeth. However, if your teeth are very crooked or you want to make them smaller they made need to be shaved quite a bit.