Cosmetic Dental Services

Dental Veneers

What are Veneers?

Veneers (also known as laminates) are thin, tooth-coloured shells, usually made from porcelain, ceramic or composite resin and shaped to bond to the front of your natural teeth. They’re typically used to improve the appearance of your teeth and mouth.

Your dentist may use veneers to treat damaged, crooked, stained, unusually shaped or smaller-than-average teeth. While some people may only need one, your dentist can transform your entire smile with up to 6 or 8 custom-made veneers (should you need them).

 

What are the types of veneers?

A few main types of veneers are available, including composite, porcelain, and ceramic.

  • Composite Veneers can be a cost-effective option for patients, as they can usually be placed in one sitting and require less preparation than other veneer methods.
  • Porcelain and Ceramic Veneers are a popular choice for a natural smile that can last up to 25 years with proper care. They are the most popular veneers and are generally considered appropriate for most patients. Porcelain and Ceramic veneers are a natural-looking option that are still durable and can mimic your natural teeth. That said, these veneers can take longer to craft.

No matter which option you choose, you can rest assured knowing your veneers will be durable and stain resistant, giving you a beautiful, long-lasting smile.

 

Are Dental Veneers Right For Me?

Dental veneers can help correct several oral health issues. You could be a good candidate for veneers if you have:

  • Chipped, Cracked or Damaged Teeth - veneers can help repair the shape of your teeth and protect them from further problems.
  • Stained or discoloured teeth - whitening can be less effective for people with naturally yellow or grey teeth. Dental veneers could be the perfect solution to creating a brighter smile.
  • Smaller than average teeth (microdontia) - veneers can correct small or short teeth to create a complete, confident smile.

Fixing issues like these can go a long way to restoring confidence in your smile.

Benefits of Veneers

Dental veneers often require less tooth enamel to be removed than dental crowns, and once they have been attached to the teeth, the only care needed is a regular oral hygiene routine. There are several other benefits, too.

  • Long-term solution to tooth appearance issues
  • Natural-looking, feeling, and functioning smile
  • Strengthened tooth structure
  • Requires minimal preparation for the procedure

Preparing for your Veneer appointment

Appointments

  • Usually requires 2 to 3 appointments
  • The initial consultation will be around 30 to 60 minutes to discuss your suitability and treatment plan
  • At your next appointment, your veneers will usually be fitted
  • Further appointments may be needed to adjust or check the veneers

 

How long does it take to get veneers?

Your veneer treatment will usually only take 2-3 appointments.

Some dentists can make your veneers in-house thanks to CAD/CAM technology, reducing the time between appointments. Otherwise, it can take 2-6 weeks for a lab to create your custom veneers.

You may be asked about

  • Your dental and medical history
  • Your home oral health care routine

Before your appointment

No special preparation is needed. Consider taking some time to think about any questions you may want to ask, and write them down before the appointment.

After your appointment

Your teeth may feel sensitive to hot or cold food and drink, but this usually only lasts for a couple of days.

Otherwise, book in a photoshoot, because your teeth will be looking fantastic!

Quick tip

Keeping a good oral hygiene routine and taking care when eating hard foods will help extend the life of your veneers.

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FAQs

Dental veneers can last decades if you care for them. Porcelain veneers generally last between 10 and 25 years with proper care and maintenance, while composite veneers can last around 4-8 years. 

As with any dental treatment, you will likely feel some discomfort during your dental veneer procedure. Generally, this is during the tooth enamel removal stage but, in most cases, your dentist will administer local anaesthetic to reduce discomfort. The actual placement of your veneers will typically be a pain-free experience.

It may also take you some time to adjust to your new smile, and you may experience some slight discomfort as you get used to the veneers.

If an experienced, trusted dentist places your dental veneers, they will not ruin your teeth. In fact, dental veneers can have the opposite effect and protect your teeth from oral health issues.

Some health insurance policies may cover cosmetic dental treatments up to a certain limit, but this will vary by policy and health fund.

We recommend checking your health insurance policy to double-check what is covered and touching base with your health fund before you arrive at your appointment.

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek advice from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.