What Are Dental Veneers?

Easy to fit and long-lasting, our dental veneers are thin, custom-made ‘facings’ that get fitted to and placed on the front surface of a tooth. If you are looking to improve your teeth function, protect the surface of your teeth from damage, or improve the overall appearance of your smile, dental veneers might be the perfect cosmetic dentistry treatment that can help you do just that.

At Cambridge City Dental, we work with two main types of dental veneers – composite and porcelain. With these procedures, thin layers of porcelain or composite are bonded to your original teeth, resulting in the appearance and feel of natural teeth.

Call or Book an Appointment Online For a More Natural Smile With Our Porcelain and Composite Veneers

Why Would You Opt For Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are the perfect choice for someone who wants to improve their smile but doesn't want to undergo any lengthy treatments like Invisalign or braces, or more invasive treatments such as dental crowns or dental implants.

Veneers offer a very straightforward solution to covering up single tooth stains that don’t respond to teeth whitening treatments, filling gaps in between teeth, fixing teeth that need to be replaced, correcting chipped teeth or crooked teeth, and making your teeth appear straighter.

If you are interested in dental veneers, it’s best to book an appointment with one of our dentists to discuss your suitability. At Cambridge City Dental, our doors are always open to new patients. Don’t hesitate to book an appointment for veneers online or by calling our friendly team.

Get composite porcelain veneers in a wide range of colours for a sensational smile

The Benefits of Dental Veneers

One of the major advantages of veneers is that the fitting process is relatively straightforward and less invasive compared to a more invasive procedure, such as dental crowns. For instance, only a thin layer of tooth enamel needs to be removed to accommodate the veneer, not the entire tooth.

Composite tooth veneers can be fitted in just one visit, offering convenience, while porcelain veneers typically require two. They are considered a permanent solution, allowing you to treat them just like natural teeth once they are in place and enjoy them for years to come.

What to Expect When Getting Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells designed to cover the front surface of your teeth, enhancing the appearance of your smile. Here’s what you can expect during the process:

  • During the initial visit, your dentist will clean and prepare your teeth for the veneers. This involves removing a small amount of enamel from the front surface of each tooth to accommodate the veneer. The amount removed is typically very minimal, just enough to ensure a perfect fit and natural appearance.

  • After the teeth are prepared, your dentist will take an impression of your teeth. This impression is sent to a highly specialised dental laboratory where your porcelain veneers are crafted to match the shape, size, and colour of your natural teeth. This process ensures that the veneers will fit perfectly and blend seamlessly with your smile. For composite veneers, this step can be done at the practice, and the veneer can be applied in the same visit.

  • Once your veneers are ready, usually after a week or two for porcelain veneers, you will return to the dentist for the final fitting. Your dentist will place the veneers on your teeth to check the fit shape and colour. After any necessary adjustments, the veneers are bonded to your teeth using a special dental adhesive. Light is used to cure the adhesive, securely attaching the veneer to your tooth. Finally, the veneers are polished to ensure a smooth and natural look and feel.

The Different Types of Dental Veneers

You may have come across two types of dental veneers – composite veneers and porcelain veneers. What’s the difference? What’s better, porcelain or composite veneers? Your dentist will be able to recommend the best option for your needs. However, here’s some more information on both composite and porcelain veneers to help you learn more.

Composite Veneers

As the name suggests, a composite dental veneer is constructed from a composite resin that very closely resembles the colour of natural teeth.

At Cambridge City Dental, your dentist will prepare the tooth, apply layers of specialised material, and then apply the composite resin one layer at a time until the existing tooth is slowly covered.

After application and exposure to an intense blue light, the composite resin will set and the final result will be achieved. Bonded to your existing tooth and sculpted in place, composite veneers are the perfect cosmetic procedure for adjusting the shape, size and colour of your smile. Composite resin veneers are quite straightforward to fit, usually only taking one appointment with your dentist to complete.

They are also quite easy to repair and are far more budget-friendly than porcelain veneers, however, they tend to stain at the margins and the body colour of the tooth can sometimes change.

If you are someone who likes to drink a lot of tea, coffee or red wine, porcelain veneers may be a better fit. Occasionally, composite veneers are used as a temporary solution to give your smile a new look, with porcelain veneers fitted at a later date.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are custom-made porcelain shells that are bonded onto the front of your existing teeth. When applying porcelain veneers to your tooth, your dentist will prepare your tooth by removing 0.3mm to 0.5mm of facial tooth structure, an impression is made and then temporary veneers are placed.

The porcelain veneers are then made in a laboratory (at Cambridge City Dental we only use Australian laboratories using materials that have been allowed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, not cheap overseas labs with unknown materials). Once they have been manufactured by the laboratory, the porcelain veneers are tested and, if satisfactory, are adhered into place.

Porcelain veneers are far less likely to stain and are much stronger and more durable in construction than composite veneers, however, these benefits come with a higher cost. On rare occasions, minor staining can occur at the margins where the veneer meets the tooth, however, it is easily removed with regular visits to the dentist. Porcelain veneers also involve less removal of the tooth structure and therefore, are much better at masking stains.

Porcelain Veneers vs. Composite Veneers - Which Veneer is Right For Me?

Choosing the right type of veneer should involve careful consideration, especially since porcelain veneers are a permanent solution. Understanding the differences between porcelain and composite resin veneers is important. Your dentist will also discuss this with you in detail to help you make an informed decision.

Key Differences Between Composite and Porcelain Veneers:

  • Application Time: Composite veneers can be applied more quickly than porcelain veneers.

  • Cost and Longevity: Porcelain veneers are more expensive but have a longer lifespan compared to composite veneers.

  • Durability: Composite veneers are still quite durable, but are less durable than porcelain veneers.

  • Repairability: Damaged porcelain veneers cannot be repaired and must be replaced, while composite veneers can be repaired or removed if necessary.

  • Appearance: Porcelain veneers offer a more natural look and reflect light better than composite veneers.

  • Stain Resistance: Porcelain veneers resist staining better than composite veneers, which can discolour similarly to natural teeth.

  • Reversibility: Porcelain veneers are irreversible, unlike composite veneers which can be adjusted or removed.

Overall, porcelain veneers are often considered the superior choice due to their strength, longevity, and natural appearance. However, the cost is a significant factor to consider. Composite veneers offer the flexibility of budgets and ease of removal, however, they may not last as long as porcelain veneers.

Dental Veneer FAQs

  • With reasonable precautions, dental veneers can last anywhere from 10 to 2030 years. While you can eat almost anything you like, it is important to take reasonable precautions because dental veneers are not indestructible.

    Be sure to keep up regular dental checks and appointments with your dentist to ensure you can get the most out of your veneers, and that your teeth remain healthy and in good shape.

  • Veneers range in price depending on a variety of factors including whether you want composite or porcelain options, private health insurance coverage and how many veneers you require. For more specific information about the cost of dental veneers, don’t hesitate to book an appointment with one of our dentists to discuss your unique circumstances.

  • Yes, although veneers are not natural teeth, they still need regular cleaning to maintain their shine and keep your mouth healthy. Brushing your veneers helps remove plaque and prevent gum disease caused by the buildup of bacteria.

    Although veneers add a layer of protection by isolating teeth from the surrounding environment, it's still important to take care of them as you would your natural teeth.

  • No, dental veneers themselves cannot be whitened. If your veneers become stained or discoloured, they will need to be replaced to restore their original appearance. However, maintaining good oral hygiene and regular dental cleanings can help prevent discolouration and keep your veneers looking their best. For a brighter smile, consider discussing teeth whitening options for your natural teeth with your dentist before getting veneers to ensure a consistent colour match.

  • While the procedure for getting veneers is generally low-risk, there are a few potential complications to be aware of:

    • Cracking or displacement: Veneers may crack or come loose over time.

    • Gum issues: There is a possibility of gum shrinkage or recession, which could expose the edges of the veneers.

    • Temperature sensitivity: You might experience increased sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures.

    • Colour variation: Over time, veneers and natural teeth may develop a colour mismatch as they stain differently.

    Your cosmetic dentist will thoroughly review these potential risks and complications with you before proceeding with the veneer application. However, despite these minor risks, veneers offer a great solution to many common dental issues including chips, cracks, gaps, tooth discolouration and more.

Want to Know More About Dental Veneers?

The team at Cambridge City Dental are highly experienced in general dentistry, restorative dentistry and cosmetic dentistry.

We are dedicated to improving the appearance of your teeth and transforming your smile with natural-looking solutions.

If you would like to know more about how we can help enhance your smile and teeth with our composite or porcelain veneers, get in touch with our team today or book an appointment online!

 
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Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.