How do Veneers work?

 

 

January 19, 2022

Veneers are thin layers of material placed on the front surface of your teeth to improve their aesthetics. This can range from improving colour, repairing chips and scratches to correcting minor misalignment. They can also be a long-lasting solution if they are maintained well and taken care of.

At Coastal Dental Care, we have a number of experienced clinicians who offer dental veneers. If you would like to make an enquiry or book a consultation, you can contact one of our friendly practices today!

Our team has also provided a brief outline of what veneers are and how they work below.

What do veneers look like?

They are made of thin layers of material (composite or porcelain) that are either built directly over your teeth or manufactured in a dental lab and cemented over your teeth.

Depending on your unique situation, composite or porcelain veneers may be used to improve the shape, size, colour and alignment of your existing teeth. All these parameters can be customised to your liking within your natural limitations.

how do veneers work coastal dental care

Composite Veneers

Composite veneers are made of the tooth-coloured material that is used for fillings and are moulded directly onto the surface of your teeth. This process does not involve any preparation (grinding) of the underlying tooth unless absolutely necessary. By definition, this will make the teeth slightly bulkier which we will assess on an individual basis. On average, we expect composite veneers to last around 5 years, but with good care and maintenance, their longevity can be extended.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers involve fine preparations of your teeth to create space where our lab can build customised teeth. They are a stronger material, more aesthetically pleasing and allow for more predictable customisation of your smile. For this reason, they are the most popular material choice among patients. On average, porcelain veneers will last 10 – 15 years but as always, will last longer with good care and maintenance.

Composite vs Porcelain

Ultimately, porcelain is better in every way. It is stronger, looks nicer and lasts longer. The key disadvantage for porcelain is that it requires preparation of the teeth and is therefore a more irreversible procedure. The question we always ask is, what are your treatment goals and what are you prepared to do to get there? In other words, the more you want to change, the more you must do. Our dentists will guide you on your journey to determine what your best option is.

What if I’m not suitable?

Not everybody is a suitable candidate for having veneers done. As such, it is important to have a thorough assessment before going ahead. You may not be a suitable candidate for veneers if:

  • You have existing dental decay and/or gum disease
  • You have insufficient healthy tooth structure
  • You require pre-requisite treatment (such as orthodontics to correct significant misalignment)

Taking care of your veneers

The longevity of your veneers will be heavily influenced by how well you take care of them. Several precautions include:

  • Be wary of what you bite into with your veneers (e.g. hard foods such as pork crackling)
  • Be aware of any grinding habits that you may have
  • Have a high standard of oral hygiene
  • Attend regular 6 monthly check-ups

Dental Veneers Gold Coast

If you are looking to undergo veneer treatment on the Gold Coast, we have a number of practices conveniently located near you. We also have dental clinics in Northern New South Wales and in Redland Bay.

For more information, you can contact one of our friendly staff at your closest practice or you can book a consultation online 24/7.