If you are unhappy with your dental aesthetics, you can consider improving it with the help of dental veneers. Veneers are a great way to make teeth look whiter and more uniform and to hide crooked teeth.
Are you asking yourself, “Should I get veneers?” Read on to learn the pros and cons of porcelain veneers so that you can make an informed decision about whether they are right for you or not.
What are dental veneers?
Dental veneers are a very popular cosmetic dentistry procedure. They are thin, custom-made shells of tooth-coloured materials that are designed to cover the surface of your teeth and give you a beautiful, natural-looking smile through minimally-invasive cosmetic dental procedures.
Veneers are an excellent option for people who want to hide dental imperfections or broken teeth and improve the aesthetics of their smile. They can also be used to change the shape and length of your teeth or even close gaps between them.
If you are considering getting veneers to improve your smile, it is important to consult with our qualified cosmetic dentist to see if they are the right option for you.
Dental veneers are made of medical-grade porcelain or a composite resin material, each chosen for different reasons depending on your requirements.
Porcelain veneers
These veneers are thin, custom-made shells of ooth-coloured porcelain designed to cover the front surface of teeth.
Porcelain is a durable material that’s meant to provide long-lasting beauty and protection to teeth, and porcelain is one of the most popular materials used for dental veneers. Porcelain veneers are an effective way to improve the appearance of your teeth and smile by covering discoloured, chipped, misaligned or misshapen teeth.
The process of getting porcelain veneers
Porcelain veneers are a great way to improve the overall look of your teeth and smile. The process of fitting porcelain veneers is simple but requires skill and precision.
The first appointment
At your first consultation, one of our highly-qualified and experienced dentists will assess the condition of your teeth and decide if porcelain veneers are suitable for you. You will undergo diagnostics tests, and if you are eligible, we can start with pre-treatments like a dental cleaning.
The second appointment
On your second visit to our clinic, our top-rated dentist will prepare your existing teeth for porcelain veneers by carefully removing a very thin layer of enamel from the front surface of the tooth.
This helps to create a better fit for the porcelain veneer and allows it to be bonded firmly onto your natural tooth.
Depending on how many teeth need veneers, this removal process may take some time but should not cause discomfort or pain during or after treatment.
Next, an impression will be taken of your teeth so that custom-made temporary veneers can be made while your permanent ones are crafted at a dental laboratory. These temporary veneers help to protect the exposed surfaces on your teeth while providing you with the natural look and feel you desire.
The final appointment
When it’s time for fitting, the permanent porcelain veneers will be ready and brought in from the dental lab.
Your dentist will then check each one closely to make sure it perfectly fits into place over each prepared tooth before bonding them in permanently with dental cement. To ensure that every bond is secure, ultraviolet light may be used to harden the cement quickly.
Once all of the porcelain veneers are fitted correctly, another round of polishing may take place to bring out their true beauty and shine before finally being assessed one last time for consistency and accuracy.
From start to finish, the process for fitting porcelain veneers does not take more than three weeks, barring the requirement for any time-consuming pre-treatment such as that for dental decay.
Advantages of porcelain veneers
This material is chosen to improve your smile for many reasons.
Strong
One of the benefits of using porcelain for dental veneers is its strength and durability. Porcelain can withstand biting, chewing and grinding forces better than other materials, which makes it a great option for those who want a longer-lasting restoration.
Non-porous
Porcelain is an ideal material for dental veneers because of its stain resistance.
Lifestyle choices s can cause teeth to become discoloured over time, but since porcelain is non-porous, it reduces the chances of this happening.
Natural look
Another benefit of porcelain veneers is their ability to mimic the look and feel of natural teeth enamel. Porcelain has light reflective qualities that make it look like real tooth enamel when exposed to light.
Comfortable
It also has a smooth texture that makes it comfortable in the mouth while still providing a strong protective layer over teeth.
Easy to clean
Porcelain veneers are smooth, making them easy to clean as there are no rough surfaces or gaps for bacteria to hide in.
Long-lasting
With proper care and maintenance, porcelain veneers can last up to 15 years or more without needing replacements or repairs.
Composite veneers
Composite veneers, also known as dental bonding, are thin shells made from tooth-coloured materials, typically resin-based composite material, which is bonded directly onto the front surface of the teeth. They are applied in very thin layers until the desired look is achieved.
The process of getting cosmetic veneers
Composite veneers can be applied in two ways, direct and indirect.
Direct composite veneers
Direct composite veneers are a type of dental treatment that involves the application of a thin layer of tooth-coloured composite resin directly upon the surface of your teeth.
This cosmetic dental procedure is usually done in one appointment and can last anywhere from half an hour to a couple of hours, depending on the number of teeth being treated.
The process begins with our knowledgeable dentist examining and cleaning the patient’s teeth and then taking impressions or x-rays to help plan out the treatment.
The next step is for them to prepare the teeth so the composite resin can adhere properly to your tooth.
Once all of these preparations have been made, it’s time for the actual application of direct composite veneers.
The dentist will apply the resin in very thin layers, using special tools and techniques to shape and sculpt the composite material directly onto each tooth surface until it achieves the size, shape and colour desired by both you and them.
Indirect composite veneers
This process generally involves two main steps: preparation and application.
During preparation, our adept dentist first roughens the surface of your tooth to ensure the veneer will fit and adhere properly to the tooth surface.
Once the tooth is prepared, a putty impression of the tooth is taken to craft custom indirect veneers out of composite resin material.
Once completed, these customised veneers are then attached to your teeth using special adhesives.
If you desire, our caring dentist can apply localised anaesthetic to reduce any discomfort during this step.
Once the indirect veneers are fitted, they will be trimmed and shaped to create your dream smile.
Finally, after ensuring that all edges have been smoothed down, a curing light is used to set them in place.
The entire process involved with fitting indirect composite veneers can take anywhere from one hour up to several hours depending on how many teeth need treatment; however, it typically takes around two hours from start to finish for most cases.
Advantages of composite veneers
Composite veneers are preferred by many of our patients for the following reasons:
Quick
Composite veneers are fixed onto teeth in just one sitting, which can take up to two hours, making them ideal for you if you want the perfect smile for an important event or require emergency care for a chipped tooth.
Durable
Dental composite resin is a strong material, and when applied in layers, it adheres to the surface of your teeth and can easily last a decade, if not more.
Natural
Composite veneers are applied in our office by skilled dentists who can shape and colour the resin so it looks just like your natural teeth.
Customisable
Resin veneers allow for a more natural look compared to other treatments, such as porcelain veneers. ensuring the patient’s desired aesthetic outcome is achievable.
How much do dental veneers cost?
The cost of tooth veneers depends on the material. Composite veneers may be cheaper because they don’t last as long as porcelain veneers.
While the final cost varies on several factors, the cost of a composite veneer starts around $440, while a porcelain veneer can cost upward of $1,200 per tooth.
Overall, both porcelain and composite veneers are great options if you are to improve your smile.
Both provide a great way to cover up discoloured, crooked or chipped teeth while still providing a natural look. It is important to have an in-depth consultation with our qualified dentists before deciding if dental veneers are the right option for you. They will assess the condition of your teeth and discuss any pre-treatments that may be necessary.
During your first consultation at Sydney Laser Dental Care, you must ask questions about the procedure, the cost and the expected longevity of the dental veneers.
With this knowledge, you can make an informed decision on whether or not porcelain or composite veneers are right for you.
Get the Perfect Smile with Dental Veneers from Sydney Laser Dental Care!
Our experienced and highly skilled team of dentists will tailor a comprehensive treatment plan to meet your needs, using the latest cosmetic dentistry techniques for superior results.
With our knowledge of cosmetic dentistry services and dedication to providing excellent, personalised care, as well as our memberships with various professional associations helping us stay abreast of developments in the field of dentistry, you can be certain that you’ll receive top-notch care from qualified professionals.
We also understand how nerve-wracking dental visits can be, so we make sure to create a comfortable environment that builds trust with each patient.
Visit Sydney Laser Dental Care today and get ready to show off your perfect smile!
Call or visit us at any of our three locations around Sydney:
Pyrmont: (02) 9158 6213
Illawong: (02) 9158 6756
Sylvania Waters: (02) 9159 6083
Sources
Dental Veneers: Benefits, Procedure, Costs, and Results
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-veneers#benefits
Dental Veneers: Porcelain Veneer Uses, Procedure, and More
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/veneers#1
