TRANSFORM YOUR SMILE WITH VICTORIAN DENTAL GROUP
Learn all about Dental Veneers, the processes involved, FAQ and costs.
Dental Veneers can dramatically change the aesthetic look of your smile. Veneers are thin, custom-crafted tooth-coloured materials that are added to the front surface of the tooth in order to correct discolouration, minor misalignment, chips or cracks. They are also used to reduce gaps between teeth and build up worn teeth to restore a natural-looking smile.
A dental veneer is a thin but durable shell of tooth coloured material (either porcelain or composite) which is bonded to the front surface of teeth in order to improve the overall aesthetics of the tooth.
The two main types of veneers are porcelain or composite. A composite veneer is a build-up of a resin material directly over the front surface of the tooth to improve its shape and appearance. It is usually done in one visit and requires little-to-no preparation of the underlying tooth structure. A porcelain veneer is made by a dental ceramist which is then bonded onto your tooth. Some preparation may be required of the underlying tooth and it usually takes at least two visits. Porcelain veneers are a more aesthetic material that is also more resistant to staining and discolouration compared to composite.
Dental veneers are a great option when you wish to improve the aesthetics of your teeth, they are often part of what we call cosmetic dentistry.
Dental Veneers can be a solution for teeth that are discoloured, chipped, “gappy”, misaligned, oddly shaped or suffering from surface defects. It is important to remember that there are usually multiple treatment options available in most circumstances, talk to our team to discuss all options available.
The process for getting dental veneers will change depending on the type of veneers you are having placed.
When getting composite veneers placed, the process just takes one appointment. Underlying tooth structure is buffed to ensure it is clean for good bonding and then composite is incrementally layered to build the tooth/teeth up to their desired shape.
When getting porcelain veneers the process usually takes about three visits. The first step is a thorough consultation where we can plan the desired outcome of your porcelain veneers, this appointment may involve photographs, impressions and x-rays to help us design your future porcelain veneers. The next step is to prepare the teeth for veneers by removing a small amount of tooth structure and taking impressions and then temporary veneers are often placed. Once the veneers are ready we will get you back to try them in before cementing to your tooth. Keep reading for more details on the process involved are below…
We first start with a consultation to discuss with you what your goals are for your new smile and if veneers are appropriate for you. At this appointment, we will assess your teeth and in most cases recommend a Comprehensive Examination. It may be necessary for us to take so diagnostic x-rays to check the health of your existing teeth and we may even create some custom models of how we envisage the final veneers to look. Once we have a clear vision of what you want your new smile to look like we move on to preparing your teeth for the veneers. If you would like to visualise what you will look like with your new smile before we start it is possible to undertake Digital Smile Design. This is undertaken in collaboration with our Dental Laboratory where we edit an existing photo of your teeth to show you what your new veneers could look like.
At the preparation appointment, one of our skilled clinicians will remove a very thin layer of enamel from the front surface of the tooth. This is a very gentle process and, in many cases, does not even require local anesthetic. By removing this very small amount of existing tooth structure we can create a space for your new porcelain veneer to be cemented into place ensuring the result is natural and not bulky. We then take an impression of the prepared teeth which is sent to our dental ceramist who will make the porcelain veneers.
In some cases, we will place some temporary veneers so you can get used to the shape of your new teeth while your porcelain veneers are being crafted at the dental ceramist. At this stage we may invite you to visit with our dental ceramist to ensure that the veneers are fabricated to your exact aesthetic goals.
At the final appointment, we will try-in your veneers to ensure that the veneers are a perfect fit and that you are happy with the colour and shape. Only once you are happy with the result will we bond your new veneers in place and you’re ready to walk out with your brand-new smile! Like any dental procedure, there are do’s and don’ts as well as important steps to maintain the lifespan of your veneers. Don’t worry though, in many cases it’s no different to looking after your teeth the same as usual. We will make sure we discuss all of this with your before we start so you can look after your smile for years to come.
Typically, a porcelain veneer can last up to 10 years when properly cared for. The good news is they typically don’t need any special care other than regular brushing, flossing and regular check up and hygiene visits. We will work with you to organise your oral care program which will typically involve a 6 monthly check-up and clean. In some cases we may recommended the provision of a night guard to protect your teeth if you are showing signs of clenching and grinding to help protect the longevity of your veneers. However, as with all biological and human tissue based treatment, there are no absolute guarantees for longevity.
A general dental or prosthodontic consultation is needed to determine how many veneers are required or if veneers are the best option for you. First and foremost, we want to make sure we are addressing your needs in what you would like to achieve with your smile. It is possible to do single tooth veneers but often it is a good idea to have an even number of veneers to give the best aesthetic results.
The key difference between Dental Crowns and Dental Veneers is the amount of tooth structure that is replaced. Dental Veneers typically replaces the front surface of the tooth, whereas a Dental Crown can (in some cases) replace all surfaces of the tooth. There is extensive clinic considerations and decision making behind whether dental crowns or dental veneers are proposed as a treatment option. In some circumstances, depending on the health status of your teeth, a mixture of dental veneers and dental crowns can be used where multiple teeth are restored. With both options, the aesthetic control and results can remain the same.
Once your veneers are placed, looking after them is as simple as looking after your normal teeth by brushing twice each day for two minutes, and flossing daily. To ensure their longevity we may recommend the use of a nightguard to protect from clenching and grinding habits as well as just like your normal teeth avoiding chewing on very hard things like ice cubes, un-popped popcorn or other things that may damage the surface of the veneer.
Porcelain veneers are crafted to be very strong and under normal circumstances should not break. Excessive clenching and grinding or trauma to your teeth however may result in damage to your veneers. Before placing your veneers, we will talk to you about how to minimise the chance of damage to your veneers. The most common cause of replacing veneers is if your gum health is not well maintained and you experience gingival recession which could result in the veneer margin being exposed. In some cases, patients may elect to replace some or all of their veneers to improve their smile.
The cost of porcelain veneers will vary depending on where you are having them done, and on how many teeth. Typically a veneer completed by a general practitioner (not a specialist) is from $2300 per tooth.
This is a question to ask your health fund. This is all dependant on the level of cover and which health fund you are with. We can provide you with the relevant item numbers so that you can check with your health insurer, alternatively we can process a quote for you during your initial consult appointment.
If you would like to visualise what you will look like with your new smile before we start it is possible to undertake Digital Smile Design. This is a process with the Dental Laboratory where we edit an existing photo of your teeth to show you what your new veneers could look like. Once the teeth are prepared and the veneers are ready to insert you will be able to try your newly fabricated veneers in and make sure you are happy before we decide to cement them to your existing teeth.
Matching veneers to your other teeth will be discussed with your dental clinician. Depending on what you want to achieve with your veneers (a whiter and brighter smile) we will make some recommendations about what will be an appropriate shade. We may also recommend that you visit our ceramist who makes the veneers to ensure that the specifications of the veneer shape and colour are exactly to your liking.
Depending on your desired smile outcome, in order to achieve a better cosmetic result we may recommend gingival (gum) recontouring. This a straight forward procedure completed by a periodontist prior to the veneer preparation in order to create ideal symmetry and tooth height for your new veneers.
After your veneers are placed you can eat most foods straight away. However, as each patient has a different bite which may have changed with the placement of your veneers, we recommend eating softer foods for the first few days until you are comfortable and adjusted to your new smile. Once you are used to your new bite you can chew and bite normally with the same exceptions that we would recommend for normal teeth. The most common foods to avoid are: ice, hard biscuits, hard lollies, hard nuts, seeds, and popcorn.
Although this may seem scary, unfortunately in some rare circumstances it can happen. If your veneer does come off, try to save the veneer as in many cases they can be re-inserted. Call the clinic as soon as possible and be mindful of the tooth in the meantime as it may been sensitive to hot/cold until the veneer is replaced.
Yes! You can brush all your teeth the same way. You can floss all the veneered teeth and you should continue your regular hygiene appointments as you have in the past.
This article is designed to be for information purposes only and does not substitute or replace the advice of a registered health practitioner. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. Please view the site Disclaimer for more information.
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