If you are unhappy with your smile and are wondering, what are veneers for teeth, you may be surprised to learn that this cosmetic dental treatment instantly improves your smile.
Veneers are thin shells of porcelain or composite material that are made to fit over the front surface of a tooth. This versatile dental treatment is used to improve the appearance of teeth, masking several imperfections simultaneously, such as worn enamel, discolouration, chips, misalignment, or gaps between teeth.
Veneers can also lengthen the appearance of a tooth or make it look straighter. Adding a veneer to your tooth provides additional strength, helping protect it from further damage.
If you are considering getting dental veneers, read our comprehensive guide to veneers, so you can discover all the wonderful benefits of this popular cosmetic treatment.
What are Veneers for Teeth: Types of Dental Veneers
At Sydney Dental Group, we offer composite and porcelain veneers to help you achieve a bright, natural smile. Both types of veneers are effective for cosmetically enhancing your smile, but they have different application methods, appearances, and lifespans.
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Composite Veneers
Composite veneers are made from tooth-coloured acrylic resin. Composite veneers are applied directly to the tooth in layers. After each layer is cured and hardened, your dentist shapes and polishes the composite to help it blend with your natural teeth.
Composite veneers can be a good option for patients who want to make minor improvements to the shape, size, and colour of their teeth. They last between 5 and 7 years before they need to be replaced.
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Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are the most popular type because they offer a more realistic appearance due to their natural luminosity. They are also more durable and longer-lasting than composite veneers, lasting up to 20 years with proper care and maintenance.
Porcelain veneers are created from moulds taken from your teeth, which are then sent to a dental laboratory for fabrication. Porcelain veneers are permanent and irreversible because your dentist needs to remove an o.5mm layer of enamel from the tooth to accommodate the veneer. However, this preparation also ensures your porcelain veneers have a custom fit and blend naturally with your teeth.
What are Veneers for Teeth: Benefits of Dental Veneers
Besides improving the appearance of your teeth, dental veneers also offer many other benefits, including:
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Low-Maintenance Oral Hygiene
Veneers require little to no maintenance once they are placed, allowing for easier oral care. You simply brush and floss as normal and visit your dentist twice a year for a dental exam and professional cleaning.
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Quick Cosmetic Fix
Porcelain veneers can be applied in just two visits to the dentist and provide a fast way to cosmetically improve your smile if you have discoloured, chipped, misshapen, or gapped teeth.
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Customised Fit
Dental veneers are customised to match the exact shape, size, and colour of your teeth for a natural-looking result. Your dentist will use a shade guide to determine your precise tooth colour, and the alginate used to create the dental impressions contours to your tooth, ensuring the final veneer shell has a perfect fit.
What are Veneers for Teeth: Risks Associated With Dental Veneers
Dental veneers have many benefits; however, some patients may experience minor, temporary side effects following the dental veneer procedure. Some common risks associated with dental veneers include:
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Tooth Sensitivity
Veneers can cause temporary or permanent tooth sensitivity due to the removal of enamel. This may feel like a sharp stinging sensation and usually only occurs when the tooth is exposed to hot, cold, sugary, or acidic substances after it has been prepared for the veneer.
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Veneer Discolouration
Without proper oral hygiene, veneers can accumulate plaque and tartar, which can cause discolouration. Unfortunately, you cannot have your veneers professionally whitened if they become stained; they will need to be replaced.
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Adverse Reactions
Some people may experience allergic reactions to the materials used in veneers. Common sensitivities include allergies to acrylic polymers used in temporary veneers. If you have a known allergy, notify your dentist during your consultation. They can change your treatment plan to minimise the risk of a reaction.
The Dental Veneer Installation Process
The process of porcelain veneers installation usually takes place over two visits to the dentist. The step-by-step process of dental veneers installation includes:
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Consultation and Tooth Preparation
Your dentist prepares your teeth by removing a small amount of enamel from the tooth’s front surface. They will then take impressions using a tray and dental putty, then send them to a dental laboratory where your customised veneers will be fabricated. You will receive temporary dental veneers to protect your teeth.
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Dental Veneer Placement
Once the veneers are ready, your dentist will remove your temporary veneers, place your permanent porcelain veneers, and secure them with a dental adhesive.
Get the Smile of Your Dreams Today
Discoloured, misshapen, or gapped teeth can make you self-conscious and reluctant to smile. Design a smile you are proud to share with dental veneers from Sydney Dental Group.
At Sydney Dental Group, our experienced team can help you achieve a beautiful, natural-looking smile. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward getting your dream smile.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
The Success of Dental Veneers According To Preparation Design and Material Type
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6311473/
Health insurance for cosmetic surgery
https://www.finder.com.au/health-insurance-for-cosmetic-surgery
Dental Infections
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542165/
