Unhappy with your teeth or smile? Getting cosmetic veneers fitted to your teeth may help restore some of your confidence. But what are they? And what does the treatment involve?
In this guide, we’ll answer some common questions about veneers, and explain how they’re fitted from start to finish.
In this guide:
- What are veneers?
- Who can get veneers?
- Do veneers ruin your teeth?
- Can any dentist fit veneers?
- Are veneers permanent?
- What are the benefits and disadvantages of veneers?
- How are veneers applied to teeth? (A step-by-step process)
- Will getting dental veneers hurt?
- How much do veneers cost?
- Are porcelain veneers better than resin?
- Are dental veneers right for you?
What are veneers?
Chances are you’re reading this guide because someone suggested getting dental veneers to help fix your smile.
But what are veneers, exactly?
Veneers are a cosmetic dentistry treatment. Simply put, they’re thin, tooth-coloured covers made of porcelain or a composite resin that we place over the visible parts of your teeth. Think of them as fake fingernails for your teeth.
Veneers look natural in your mouth because they’re customised to match the colour and general shape of your existing teeth. A variety of options are available for composite and porcelain veneers to suit your needs, the look you want, and your budget.
Who can get veneers?
You don’t have to be old to want veneers.
Most people with good oral health who are committed to maintaining their new teeth should be OK to get dental veneers. It’s more about why you’d get them.
Veneers improve the visual aspects of your teeth. They’re great if your teeth are discoloured, chipped, worn, broken, crooked or sitting awkwardly in your mouth. They’re also a great option for whitening your teeth if teeth whitening treatments haven’t worked.
However, as amazing as they are, veneers won’t correct badly misaligned teeth, overbites or underbites. These issues fall under orthodontics.
Do veneers ruin your teeth?
We’re often asked if dental veneers ruin the natural tooth underneath.
The good news (and short answer) is that veneers do not ruin your teeth.
That myth stems from the preparation process, where a small amount of enamel is usually removed from the tooth so that the veneer can bond to it.
As long as they’re being fitted properly by a qualified cosmetic dentist, your tooth won’t be ruined. (Here’s our team of cosmetic dentists).
Can any dentist fit veneers?
Not all dental practices offer cosmetic dentistry, so you may need to look around.
As it’s specialised work, you need to make sure you’re seeing an experienced dentist.
You should also look at some of their before and after case studies to make sure they’re the right person to help you achieve your desired look.
Are veneers permanent?
Veneers are designed to last 7-15 years, making them semi-permanent fixtures.
However, as enamel is removed to fit the veneer they’ll need to be replaced if they become broken or aged.
What are the benefits and disadvantages of veneers?
The main benefit of veneers is they’re less invasive than crowns and fairly simple to apply.
They’re also customisable, so you’re assured of an improved, natural-looking smile.
However, there are also some disadvantages to getting them.
To fit them, the tooth is usually trimmed slightly to ensure a smooth application.
But as you probably guessed, the natural tooth under the veneer will look shorter or different to your other natural teeth as a result.
Removing a veneer will expose the natural tooth underneath, so the veneer will need replacing to keep your smile looking even.
So while they are semi-permanent (lasting 7-15 years) once you get them you need to keep using them.
How are veneers applied to teeth? (A step-by-step process)
Now that we’ve explained what veneers are, let’s talk about the steps involved to get them.
Applying dental veneers is a simple process our dedicated team will make positive and painless.
Composite resin veneers can be completed in one visit, as the material is applied to the tooth in layers.
However, getting porcelain veneers involves the following steps:
Step 1: Initial consult
You’ll start by meeting with a specialised cosmetic dentist to determine whether veneers will give you the results you want. Your dentist will diagnose any existing dental problems and assess your smile, your face and even the way you speak.
Step 2: Prep meeting
At your first official treatment appointment, your dentist will prep your tooth by trimming off a little enamel. (Veneers are bonded directly to a tooth.) Next, they’ll take a scan of your mouth using a small wand camera. This gives them a full-colour, 3D map of your mouth they can use to create your new veneers. It can take up to four weeks to create custom veneers, so you’ll probably be offered temporary veneers to tide you over.
Step 3: Fitting the temporary veneers
While the temporary veneers may not match the colour of your teeth perfectly, they’ll give you an idea of how your permanent veneers will look and feel. They usually stay in place for around two weeks, during which time your dentist will ask for feedback on the shape, and how you think they look and feel. They consider all of this information when fitting your customised veneers.
Step 4: Fitting the customised veneers and meeting your new smile
Success! This final appointment is when they fit your new veneers and you meet your new forever smile.
They’ll remove your temporary veneers, place the new veneers over your teeth, and then tweak their shape until they fit seamlessly.
The veneer procedure takes a few hours, and may be performed under local anaesthetic to numb the area and reduce any pain.
Your dentist will:
- clean and polish your teeth
- etch your treated teeth to strengthen the bonding
- apply a special cement to the veneer before fitting it to your tooth
- use ultraviolet light to activate the cement’s chemicals so it hardens quickly and bonds the veneer to your tooth
- tidy up by removing any excess cement and making final adjustments to make sure your veneers feel comfortable.
And once the numbness wears off your new teeth will be good to go for talking, eating and drinking. Just keep in mind your mouth and jaw may feel sore for a few days.
Will getting dental veneers hurt?
You may find the procedure uncomfortable. You may also experience some temporary soreness or tenderness afterwards as your mouth and jaw adjust.
However, anaesthetic is used during the procedure to numb any potential pain.
How much do veneers cost?
Costs vary slightly depending on the dentist, the material used and the thickness needed.
As a guide, porcelain veneers fitted in Queensland can cost anywhere from $1000 to $2500 per tooth, while composite resin veneers can cost anywhere from $200 to $600 per tooth.
Are porcelain veneers better than resin?
Both materials have advantages and disadvantages that may help you to decide which ones are right for you.
Porcelain veneers are more durable, resistant to staining, and look more natural on your teeth.
However, if they crack or chip you’ll need to replace the entire veneer. Porcelain is also a more expensive dental material, increasing the overall cost of porcelain veneers.
Composite resin veneers can be applied to your teeth in one visit, and cracks and chips are easy to repair.
The resin material is applied in layers to build up the thickness and ensure a natural aesthetic.
Are dental veneers right for you?
Dental veneers are a simple, semi-permanent solution to improve the appearance of your teeth and smile.
But you need to do your research and talk to a cosmetic dentist about your options to determine whether they’ll help you address your issues and achieve your desired look.
If you’re thinking about getting dental veneers, and you’re in the Rockhampton or Yeppoon area, schedule a consultation with our cosmetic dentistry team.
