What are veneers?
Veneers are a layer of material with a shell-like facing that are placed over your existing teeth. Designed primarily to improve the aesthetics of teeth, veneers can change the appearance of your natural teeth's shape, size, length, and colour. They've very effective at transforming misaligned teeth, teeth with chips, gaps, discolouration, and more.
How are veneers attached to my teeth?
The method used to attach your veneers to your teeth depends on the type of veneer. While both procedures are minimally invasive and cause little to no pain, they are quite different. For porcelain veneers, your dentist will likely give you a local anaesthetic to numb your mouth. They'll then remove a layer of your enamel so that there's room for your veneers. Once the layer is removed, they'll create your custom veneers using a mould of your teeth.
This process takes time, so you may be given temporary veneers while you wait. When you return, your dentist will remove your temporary veneers and can proceed to glue your porcelain veneers to your teeth one by one.
For composite resin veneers, your dentist will start by applying a mild chemical on the surface of your teeth, which helps the resin stick to your enamel. They'll then match the colour of the composite resin to the colour of your natural teeth, ensuring that it will blend in. They'll apply the resin in layers and harden it using a bright light. Finally, they'll shape and polish each tooth so that it's nice and smooth.
There are several reasons why a dentist may recommend an alternative solution. These include:
error_outline INDICATIONS FOR Dental Veneers:
This treatment may be needed in the following situations:
- Weak Tooth Structure: If your teeth are too weak, damaged, or have their roots exposed, veneers may be an inappropriate course of action. While veneers do add a layer of protection, you may need a dentist to directly treat your natural teeth rather than cover them up.
- Signs of Clenching: If you clench or grind your teeth, you may need an alternative to veneers. Veneers are quite strong, but clenching or grinding your teeth could fracture them.
- Incorrect Occlusion: Some bonding processes are necessary to have your veneers custom-fit to your teeth and mouth. If your occlusion (your bite) is not ideal for these processes, you may be ineligible.
- Oral Infections: You cannot receive veneers if you have any oral infections, such as cavities or gum disease. These conditions would likely damage your veneers or cause more serious infections.
- Considerable Stains: Dentists may also advise against veneers for those with heavily stained teeth. People with unhealthy teeth are at a higher risk of complications after receiving veneers.
What are the benefits of veneers?
Though most people seek out veneers for their aesthetic benefits, there are several other advantages to getting veneers.
done_all KEY BENEFITS TO Dental Veneers MAY INCLUDE:
- A Simple Cosmetic Repair: Veneers are a highly effective cosmetic repair solution for those who feel self-conscious about their teeth, whether they dislike their colour, placement, or size.
- Natural-Looking: A great feature of veneers is that they're incredibly natural-looking. You have the freedom to decide what shade of white they'll be, as well as how big or small they are.
- Easy to Maintain: Taking care of your veneers isn't any more complex than taking care of your natural teeth. Simply practise good oral hygiene, use a soft toothbrush, check in with your dentist regularly, avoid grinding/clenching your teeth, and try not to chew on non-food objects!
- Strong and Permanent: Porcelain veneers are permanent. That means you'll never have to worry about your perfect smile for a decade or more. All you have to do is do your part to maintain them.
- Protective: As stated above, veneers actually add a protective layer over your natural teeth. This protects them against discolouration, damage, and tooth decay.
How long do veneers last?
The length of time that your veneers last depends largely on what material they're made of. Porcelain veneers are considered the best of the best. They're durable enough to last anywhere from 10-15 years. Composite veneers also last an impressive amount of time, though not quite as long as their porcelain counterpart. You can expect your composite veneers to last 4-8 years.
Of course, you'll get the most use out of your veneers if you care for them properly. That's why we strongly recommend taking the time to learn how you can maintain your veneers. Using the wrong toothbrush or habitually chewing on pen caps, for example, won't help you get much longevity from your veneers!
If you have any questions about maintaining the quality of your veneers, please don't hesitate to ask our staff. We'll ensure that you have all the information you need when you book an appointment with us.
How to Book
location_on Our Location:
- 44 DE CARLE STREET (CNR ALBION ST), BRUNSWICK VICTORIA VIC
