Veneers are an incredibly popular and permanent cosmetic dental treatment. They can restore the appearance of your smile, whether your teeth are cracked, discoloured, gapped, stained or misaligned.
If you’ve suffered an injury or you just want to improve your smile, dental veneers may be ideal for you. Explore your options below.
Types of Veneers
Veneers are ultra-slim synthetic coverings that are affixed to the front surface of the teeth. Made with a tooth-coloured material and available in two varieties, veneers can correct the appearance of your teeth, as well as boasting various other benefits.
Porcelain Veneers
Lasting up to 25 years, porcelain veneers are the most popular option for increased durability. They are typically picked to treat more severe cases of tooth discolouring/malformation.
Porcelain veneers are created by taking a mould and a thin slice of tooth structure to achieve a proper fit. After being synthesised in a lab, a follow-up dental visit is arranged to insert them. They are crafted meticulously in terms of shape, colour and size to achieve an incredibly natural look in the mouth – often impossible to differentiate from genuine teeth. In testament to this, they even reflect natural light like your original teeth!
However, because porcelain veneers are permanent, if one cracks it cannot be repaired without any visible marks of breakage. Because of this, it’s often better to have a new one made, but this can be costly.
Composite Resin Veneers
Composite resin veneers are an alternative to their porcelain counterparts. Slightly cheaper and engineered from plastic/resin, they are also inserted by affixing a tooth-coloured material to the front surface of your teeth. However, composite resin veneers are less durable over time.
Speed and cost are the main selling points for composite resin veneers, with the potential to be inserted in a single visit to the dentist. This is often more practical than the two required visits for porcelain veneers.
Composite resin veneers might be more attractive if you only want a short-term covering while you’re considering other options or if you are simply not ready for the investment, financially or otherwise.
Looking After Veneers
Although veneers are synthetic, they still require a level of care similar to natural teeth. Brushing twice a day and flossing should still be part of your home dental routine.
Veneers are stain resistant to the tannins found in coffee/tea, which protects them from yellowing. However, excessive consumption of these drinks in addition to fizzy drinks and wine will degrade the bonding agent used to keep your veneers in place. Discolouration can also occur in the long term, typically presenting on the margins where the veneer meets the tooth.
For more tips on keeping your veneers in their perfect pearly white condition, look at our dedicated guide on Caring for Your Porcelain Veneers.
For more information on dental veneers or to book a consultation, get in touch with our team at City Central Dental on 08 8231 9922 or contact us online.
