In Australia, dental veneers are a popular way to improve the appearance of your teeth. They’re a great way to fix a range of cosmetic issues with your smile and make you look and feel more confident. Dental veneers are also more affordable than other cosmetic dental procedures, such as crowns or bridges.
If you’re self-conscious about having crooked teeth, or if your teeth are stained from years of drinking coffee and smoking, Veneers could be the perfect solution for you. But as with any dental procedure, there are a few things to keep in mind before you go ahead with getting veneers. In this post, we’ll outline some of the most common problems veneers can fix. So if you’re curious about what veneers could do for your imperfect teeth, read on!
What are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are thin, custom-made porcelain shells of tooth-coloured materials designed to cover the front sides of teeth. These shells are bonded over the top of your natural teeth to improve their appearance and shape.
Dental veneers do not act like natural teeth, despite their appearance, since their hard outer surface does not absorb impact. For optimal dental health, teeth with dental veneers would still require thorough brushing and flossing, as well as regular visits to the caring dentist for cleanings and dental exams every six months.
The two common types of veneers are porcelain veneers and composite veneers.
Porcelain is the most aesthetically pleasing and biocompatible material available for dental restorations. It is also the toughest and most durable of all veneer materials.
The composite resin material is used for making veneers. They are made of the same material as composite fillings, which blend nicely with your natural tooth colour. However, composite veneers can get stained over time, making them less long-lasting than porcelain veneers.
What Types of Problems Do Dental Veneers Fix?
Veneers are used to correct the following dental issues:
Some causes of tooth discolouration are:
- Dark teeth from root canal treatment
- Stains from medicines such as tetracycline or other antibiotics
- Excessive fluoride
- Larger resin composite fillings
- Dark-coloured foods and beverages
- Smoking tobacco products
- Worn-down tooth
- A chipped tooth or broken tooth
- Misaligned teeth or crooked teeth
- Uneven or misshapen teeth
- Gaps between teeth
Dental Veneer Procedure
Dental examination and treatment planning
The initial consultation is when your cosmetic dentist assesses your teeth to see if they are a good candidate for veneers and explains the dental procedure and its limitations. The dentist may also take X-rays and impressions of your mouth and teeth.
Teeth preparation
Porcelain veneer preparation involves reshaping the tooth surface, which is about equivalent to the thickness of the veneer that will be applied to it.
Before removing the tooth enamel, you and your dentist will discuss the use of anaesthetics to numb the area. The dentist will take an impression of your tooth and send it to a lab for processing.
Veneers are typically returned from the laboratory in 2-4 weeks. Temporary veneers will be provided by your dentist while you wait for the permanent ones.
Bonding
To ensure that the veneer is fitted correctly and colour-matched, your dentist will remove and trim the veneer many times before firmly bonding it in place. If necessary, the veneer’s colour can be altered if necessary by adjusting the cement’s shade.
For the installation, the tooth must be cleaned, polished, and etched.
The veneer is attached to your tooth using dental cement. Once in place, a special light is used to activate chemicals within the cement, making them harden quickly.
As the last step, the dentist will remove excess cement, examine your bite, and make any necessary adjustments.
Possible Risks With Dental Veneers
- Dental veneers are more likely to break or chip if the user grinds or clenches their teeth.
- In rare cases, veneers can come loose and fall off. Avoid biting your nails, chewing on pencils, ice, or other hard objects, or applying excessive pressure to your teeth.
- There is a possibility that your veneers will not match your other teeth perfectly. Also, once the veneer is installed, it is impossible to modify the colour. It is recommended that you whiten your teeth before getting veneers.
- There is still a possibility that supporting teeth could develop decay, requiring a crown to protect and cover the tooth entirely.
- Due to removing a layer of enamel, you'll experience tooth sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages.
Can You Get Invisalign Treatment if You Have Veneers?
Invisalign will fit over the veneers much as it does over a tooth. Porcelain veneers on teeth do not affect the fundamental mechanics of orthodontic tooth movement. As long as porcelain veneers are correctly fitted on the teeth, chipping or debonding is a slight possibility.
The Cost of Dental Veneers
Veneers are priced differently depending on the material used; the composite material is less costly than porcelain but is more sensitive to chipping and breaking. Costs also differ based on where you are in Australia.
Composite resin veneers cost between \$410 and \$840 per tooth, whereas porcelain dental veneers cost between \$1,800 and \$2,000.
Are Dental Veneers Worth the Cost?
Despite the investment, the benefits of veneers significantly outweigh the cost. Porcelain veneers can last a long time with proper maintenance and regular visits to the dentist. In terms of oral health, veneers are a significant investment since they have been proven to last for many years.
Final Thoughts
With so many reasons why dental veneer treatment may benefit you, visit Ellen Stirling Dental today. We offer a range of cosmetic dentistry treatment options to suit every need and budget. We even provide affordable payment plans for our services. Call us at (08) 6192 1036 to book an appointment so we can get started with your treatment plan to achieve that perfect smile.
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