Dental veneers are becoming a popular cosmetic dentistry treatment to achieve a more even, white and symmetrical smile.
Made from either porcelain or a resin composite, veneers are wafer-thin shells that are bonded to the front surfaces of teeth to improve the appearance of tooth shape, colour, size, and overall alignment.
When are dental veneers used?
Dental veneers can assist in creating a straight, symmetrical, white smile and are an ideal solution for people wanting to improve the appearance of:
- Teeth that are discoloured due to root canal treatment, stains from tetracycline or other drugs, excessive fluoride, or the presence of large resin fillings
- Worn down teeth
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped teeth
- Teeth with unwanted gaps between them
What are the benefits of dental veneers?
Porcelain Veneers
Dental veneers offer cosmetic benefits to people wanting to improve the appearance of their teeth. They
- offer dynamic colour variation and translucency that mimics the appearance of tooth enamel to create a natural-looking smile.
- are made of biocompatible material that gum tissue usually tolerates well.
- require minimal tooth shaping during the preparation procedure; approximately half a millimetre of enamel from the front of the tooth is removed.
- the fitting procedure is generally painless and often does not require anaesthetic.
- are stain-resistant.
- do not require a separate or special cleaning routine.
- can last up to 15 years, depending on the type of veneer selected and how well the veneers are maintained.
- are often less expensive than other dental solutions for improving the appearance of teeth, such as dental crowns.
Resin Veneers
Resin veneers offer a large improvement to shade , with modern resins coming very close to mimicking the appearance of tooth enamel and still creating a natural looking smile. Benefits include:
- are made of biocompatible material that gum tissue usually tolerates well.
- resin veneers are very conservative, usually requiring minimal or no tooth removed.
- the whole process is completed in a single visit.
- do not require a separate or special cleaning routine.
- can last up to 10 years.
- are less expensive than porcelain veneers or crowns.
Considerations
While dental veneers are a great option for many people looking to improve the appearance of their smile, if you grind or clench your teeth, your veneers could quickly become damaged. But this doesn’t mean you wouldn’t be a suitable candidate – you would need to be able to commit to wearing a night guard or splint to protect your veneers while sleeping.
There is no special cleaning regime required for veneers, to maximise their longevity, a good oral hygiene routine is essential. If you look after them well, dental veneers can last between 10-15 years, depending on the material they are made from. After this time, they would need to be replaced.
If you’re not happy with your smile and think dental veneers might be a good option, the next step is to book a consultation with one of our experienced dentists. We’ll be open and up-front about whether this is the best cosmetic treatment for you and explain all the ins and outs and the full cost of the procedure.