Posted on: 14 August, 2023
Veneer materials affect their strength, longevity and cost.
5 minute read
If there's something you want to change about the appearance of your smile, dental veneers could be an option. This cosmetic dentistry treatment involves replacing the front surface of teeth with thin prosthetics, which can be made from a range of materials.
If you're considering veneers, your dentist can assess your suitability for the treatment and explain your options. To book a cosmetic consultation with a dentist in Mount Lawley, call our team today on (08) 9227 8777 or make an online booking.
Dental veneers can be made of porcelain, composite resin, acrylic or zirconia however, the most common materials are porcelain and composite resin. Depending on your aesthetic goals and budget, your dentist can recommend the most suitable material option for you, making sure you understand the advantages and disadvantages of each treatment, along with the possible risks and complications, so you can make fully informed decisions.
Here's an overview of the different types of veneers available in Australia.
Composite veneers are made by applying a composite resin of plastic and powdered glass directly to tooth surfaces. As the veneers are shaped and sculpted directly onto the teeth, the procedure is completed in a single visit*.
The shade of resin can be customised to match your existing tooth colour or to brighten their appearance, as preferred. Different shading techniques produce different results, but composite veneers generally look less like natural tooth enamel compared to porcelain veneers.
Composite veneers are also less durable than porcelain veneers, and more prone to chipping and staining. On average, composite veneers can last 5 to 6 years.
Shading options for composite resin veneers include mono shade and layered shade.
It’s important to note that not all general dentists offer composite veneers as a treatment option. Cosmetic dentists may choose to pursue aesthetic and restorative training and qualifications to broaden their experience and practice in this area.
Read about our cosmetic dentist, Dr Lewis Moore.
Porcelain veneers are made from high-quality porcelain ceramic that has similar translucent properties to tooth enamel. This can make porcelain veneers look more like natural teeth than composite veneers, and they are generally the recommended option for more visible teeth, such as the upper front teeth.
Unlike composite veneers, which are built up directly on the teeth by a dentist, porcelain veneers are custom made in a dental laboratory by a ceramicist and later bonded into place. This involves several appointments to plan, design and manufacture your veneers. A thin layer of tooth enamel (between 0.2mm – 0.5mm, a similar thickness to a fingernail) needs to be removed from the front surface of teeth in preparation for porcelain veneers, depending on the type of porcelain used. In some cases, teeth ay not need to be reshaped if there is already tooth structure missing.
While porcelain veneers cost more than composite veneers, they are stronger and more resistant to damage and staining. The average lifespan of porcelain veneers is 12 to 15 years, but they may last longer with good care.
Dentists offer different types of porcelain veneers depending on the dental lab and skill level of the ceramist used to manufacture veneers. This determines overall quality and cost.
Some of the best options for aesthetics include feldspathic porcelain veneers and IPS e.max® lithium disilicate veneers.
Book a veneers consultation with our cosmetic dentist today.
An alternative to porcelain, zirconia veneers are not widely used in Australia. As such, success rates and results from these veneers are less predictable.
Zirconia veneers can be made stronger than porcelain, if required, but this comes at a cost to their aesthetics. High-strength zirconia veneers are less translucent and can appear "chalky" and less natural looking.
Acrylic may sometimes be used for temporary veneers, which protect the teeth while permanent porcelain veneers are being fabricated. Acrylic is weaker than other veneer materials and can be easily damaged. For this reason, many dentists avoid acrylic and use composite for temporary veneers instead.
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Veneers should be provided by a qualified and experienced dentist. If your veneers are to be fabricated in a lab, they should be crafted by a skilled ceramist using high-quality materials. The treatment process can vary, depending on the type of veneers and whether you are having other treatments as part of a wider smile makeover, but it generally involves four stages.
The first stage of any cosmetic dentistry treatment is a consultation with your dentist. Your dentist will discuss your aesthetic goals for your smile and determine whether veneers are the most suitable treatment option for you according to your desired results and budget.
If it’s been longer than six months since your last dental check-up, your dentist may need to carry out a comprehensive examination of your teeth and gums to make sure your mouth is healthy and ready for cosmetic treatment. A professional dental clean may also be recommended to remove any build-up plaque from around teeth and gums so that we can achieve the best possible results.
Veneers may be used to treat a number of cosmetic concerns, including chipped, discoloured, misaligned or misshapen teeth, but they are not suitable in all cases. It is important to make sure that any dental issues such as tooth decay or gum disease are treated and under control before starting any cosmetic dental treatment.
If you have bruxism (teeth grinding) or clench your jaw habitually, your dentist may also prescribe a custom mouthguard to help protect your veneers from any damage.
Your dentist will help you to set realistic expectations of what results can be achieved with different veneer options. If veneers are not the best option for your needs, your dentist will discuss alternative treatments that could help you achieve the results you want, such as crowns, teeth whitening or teeth straightening with Invisalign® clear aligners.
Porcelain veneers require careful planning to make sure the prosthetics are the right size, shape and strength for your needs. Modifying porcelain veneers after they have been fabricated can be difficult and costly. To ensure we’re able to deliver the results you desire, we use digital smile design software to create a 3D trial smile for you to test-drive and preview your new smile. Once you’re happy with the result, the final smile design will be used to fabricate your veneers.
Treatment with composite resin veneers and smaller cosmetic treatments skip this step.
The veneers procedure varies considerably, depending on whether you’re having composite or porcelain veneers. The procedure is not normally painful, but your dentist may recommend local anaesthesia or other sedation options in some cases.
Composite veneers can usually be completed in one visit. Your dentist begins by applying composite resin in layers, shaping, sculpting and blending it in with the natural tooth. A curing light is then used to harden the composite layers. Once the veneer is hardened it is polished.
Porcelain veneers usually involve a few visits to the dentist. Your dentist will digitally design your veneers using digital impressions of your mouth and smile design software. In your next appointment, you’ll try in your new smile and your dentist will prepare your teeth by removing a thin layer of enamel. You’ll wear temporary veneers while you wait for your final restorations to come back from the laboratory.
It can take around two weeks for veneers to be fabricated.
Once your finished veneers are sent to your dentist, they will check that they fit comfortably before bonding them to your teeth.
Your dentist will advise you about how to care for your veneers and your oral health to prevent damage and staining. They may arrange a follow-up appointment so they can check that your veneers are performing well.
The cost of veneers can vary, depending on their type and quality. At Mount Lawley Dental, veneer prices start from:
We can discuss payment plans with ZIP Money and Pretty Penny Finance, if you would like to break your payment down into smaller instalments. Zip Money offers interest-free payment plans for up to $30,000*.
*T&Cs, and credit approval apply. A monthly account fee of $9.95 will apply. A one-off establishment fee may apply for new customers. Other charges may be payable, see T&Cs. Interest, fees and charges subject to change. Credit provided by ZipMoney Payments Pty Ltd (ABN 58 164 440 993), Australian Credit Licence Number 441878.
If your treatment plan includes crowns or a full mouth rehabilitation to correct functional and aesthetic issues, it may be possible to apply for early release of superannuation. We 've partnered with service provider Supercare who can facilitate the application process on your behalf.
Caring for veneers is similar to caring for natural teeth. You should follow a best practice oral hygiene routine which includes brushing teeth twice a day, flossing once daily and attending regular check-ups with your dentist. Avoid biting down on hard or sticky foods or coming into contact with sharp objects that could cause damage to your veneers.
Composite veneers are susceptible to staining from dark-pigmented food and drinks like coffee, red wine, sauces and curries. To avoid staining, you can drink through the straw so dark liquids bypass your teeth.
If you regularly grind your teeth or clench your jaw, your dentist will prescribe you with a custom-fitted mouthguard to wear while you sleep. This will help to protect your veneers from damage, helping them to last as long as possible.
If you're thinking about veneers or other cosmetic dentistry treatments in Perth, book an initial consultation with our experienced dentists at Mount Lawley Dental to find out about your options.
Our dentists use the latest systems to design and preview your new smile, and we work with skilled ceramicists who use advanced veneer materials to offer enhanced strength and more natural-looking results.
Call our friendly team on (08) 9227 8777 or book an appointment online to find out how we can help you achieve your smile goals. We welcome patients from all local suburbs, including Highgate, Inglewood and North Perth.
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