Do you want a whiter smile but don’t want to undergo the traditional whitening process? Dental veneers are another option to consider. They’re ideal for individuals experiencing tooth discolouration or those with minor cosmetic dental flaws seeking a straighter smile.
For a more aesthetically pleasing smile on an accelerated timeline, talk to your dentist about dental veneers. Your dentist can discuss your cosmetic dental treatment options and answer questions like, “how do veneers work?” to help you make an informed decision that is right for your needs.
What Are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are extremely thin shells shaped to fit over the front of your tooth. Unlike a dental crown, veneers do not cover the entire tooth surface. They simply adhere to the front surface for cosmetic purposes. This means that dental veneers are not a solution for decayed or severely damaged teeth.
At Gordon Family Dental, we offer three different types of dental veneers.
Porcelain veneers are the traditional option, shaped to fit over your tooth and cover various visual issues with the front teeth. Porcelain veneers are suitable for masking discoloured, chipped, cracked, gapped, misaligned, or irregularly shaped teeth.
Porcelain veneers are custom made for your teeth and are fabricated off-site at a dental lab. Besides making your teeth look brighter and preventing stains, porcelain veneers provide a layer of protection for your social six smile teeth and last 10-15 years before requiring replacement.
Composite veneers are an alternative to porcelain veneers. They are made from a composite resin and moulded directly onto your tooth. If your front teeth require a minor adjustment or cosmetic repair, composite veneers are a viable option.
Composite veneers are not as durable as porcelain veneers, lasting roughly 4-8 years before requiring replacement. They are also more prone to stains, and cannot be whitened professionally, so you need to take extra care to maintain a regular oral hygiene routine.
Gordon Family Dental also offers CEREC veneers, available for placement on the same day as impressions are taken if you’re looking for a quicker option. These dental veneers are ceramic, and rather than physical impressions, your dentist takes a digital scan of your teeth to craft the veneer onsite with a milling machine.
The right option for you depends on the type of cosmetic alteration you’re hoping to make to your front teeth and how quickly you want the veneers fitted. Before you make your decision, you might be wondering, “how do veneers work?”
How Do Veneers Work?
After deciding which type of veneer is best for you, you might still need to know “how do veneers work”? Typically, the process takes two to three dental appointments. On your first visit, your dentist removes a thin layer of enamel from the surface of the teeth to prepare for veneers. This ensures that the veneer sits flat against the tooth.
Next, impressions are taken of your existing teeth to fabricate the veneers. Depending on the type of dental veneers you’ve selected, you’ll either give a physical bite-down impression to form a mould that goes to the lab, or your dentist will take digital impressions to fabricate the CEREC veneers onsite. Asking “how do veneers work?” may help you make an informed decision about which type of veneer suits your timeframe and budget.
When your veneers are ready, your dentist bonds them to your teeth.
The lifespan of your veneers depends on how well you care for them. Like porcelain veneers, CEREC veneers can last up to 10 or 15 years. To increase their longevity, avoid foods that stain, wear a mouthguard when playing sports, wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth, and keep up with your regular dental checkups.
Veneers at Gordon Family Dental
For more information about different veneers and the right option for you, contact our team at Gordon Family Dental. We are located in New South Wales and offer various cosmetic dentistry services, including teeth whitening. Book with us today by calling (02) 9159 6163.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
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