Do you feel self-conscious about your smile? If so, you’re not alone. A recent national survey suggests that more than two-thirds of Australians lack confidence in their smile. Many Sydney Laser Dental Care patients worry about cracked and yellowing teeth and even uneven spacing. Fortunately for most people, there is an easy option – porcelain veneers. In this post, we explore dental veneers and answer your questions.
How do porcelain veneers work?
Veneers are thin layers of tooth-coloured material or shells bonded to the front surface of the teeth. They fall under the umbrella of cosmetic dentistry because they enhance the appearance of the teeth, although they can help with various dental problems.
Veneers cover teeth that are:
- Discoloured or heavily stained
- Cracked
- Chipped
- Slightly misaligned
- Gapped
- Misshapen
Not only does a dental veneer work by improving a tooth’s appearance, but the shape and colour are customised to fit seamlessly into the smile. No two sets of veneers are the same.
How do porcelain veneers work? Are they suitable for anyone?
While porcelain veneers are excellent for many patients, they don’t work for everyone.
Because the dental veneer procedure requires the removal of a thin layer of tooth enamel, there has to be a strong, healthy foundation for them to adhere to.
If a person has structural problems with their teeth or extensive tooth decay, these conditions would need to be repaired before the dentist could carry out any cosmetic work.
A dental crown or bridge may be a better cosmetic dentistry option in these situations.
What’s involved in the dental veneer procedure?
The first step of any cosmetic dentistry procedure is to attend an initial consultation. This enables our dentist to examine your teeth, listen to your smile goals and determine if porcelain veneers will work for you.
Typically porcelain veneers involve a minimum of two dental appointments – one visit to prepare the teeth and another to place the veneers.
However, with our CEREC technology, we can create and place veneers in a single dental visit. Moreover, this advanced technology enables us to show patients how their veneers will look and make any adjustments in real-time
So, how do CEREC porcelain veneers work?
As with conventional veneers, a thin layer of enamel is removed to accommodate the veneers, so they don’t protrude. The prepared teeth are then digitally scanned by the dentist, and the images are sent to the lab that is making the restorations.
The dentist would usually apply temporary veneers to the prepared teeth while the patient waits a few weeks for their permanent ones. But, with CEREC technology, the images are sent directly to our onsite computer that designs the custom veneers. The data is delivered to the milling machine that creates the veneers while patients wait. Once ready, the dentist tries on the veneers for size, makes any necessary tweaks, and bonds them to the front of the teeth with composite resin. No temporaries are needed, and no additional dental appointments. In other words a fast hassle-free experience.
How many porcelain veneers will I need?
A dental veneer is not required to cover every tooth. How many you need depends on the dental issues you need help with and your smile goals. If a single problem tooth is ruining your smile, then just one dental veneer could work. On the contrary, if you’re looking to give your smile a makeover, our dentist can place porcelain veneers on all of the teeth that are visible when you smile. Veneers are usually placed in even numbers for best results and to maintain a symmetrical smile. Versatility is the name of the game when it comes to cosmetic dentistry. We believe everyone should have a smile they love and are proud to show off.
Will my porcelain veneers look fake?
Absolutely not. In the past, veneers looked too white, too big, and too straight compared to natural teeth. However, with advanced technologies and materials, you’re guaranteed a natural-looking smile with custom-made veneers just for you. Nobody will know you’re wearing them.
Do porcelain veneers last forever?
Porcelain veneers are made from durable, solid materials and can last as long as dental crowns or longer. According to one study of 2,562 porcelain veneer restorations in 1177 patients over ten years, more than 53% were still working.
So now you have the answer to “how do porcelain veneers work?”, you probably want to know how to care for them. The good news is that no special care or upkeep- is required. Simply brush and floss them as you do your natural teeth. In addition to good oral care at home, visit your dentist for regular check-ups, cleaning, and examinations. To avoid wear and tear if you grind your teeth at night, it’s advisable to wear a mouthguard. If you play contact sports, you should also consider wearing a mouthguard over your veneers to protect them.
Are you interested in porcelain veneers?
Why not schedule a consultation with the experienced dentists at Sydney Laser Dental Care to see if dental veneers are right for you. We’re currently offering a fantastic deal on porcelain veneer packages, and it would be a shame to miss out.
References
7News – Aussies a Tad Smile Shy, Research Shows
https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/aussies-a-tad-smile-shy-research-shows-c-6131335
Colgate – What is CEREC in dentistry?
https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/dental-visits/what-is-cerec-in-dentistry
PubMed – Ten-year outcome of porcelain laminate veneers placed within the general dental services in England and Wales
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18538912/
John Hopkins Medicine – What is Bruxism?
