Veneers Brisbane

Are Dental Veneers Suitable for you?

Here are some quick questions you may want to take a look at:

Have the teeth been restored previously?

Crowning of the teeth may be the preferred treatment as the foundation/structure of the teeth may be compromised.

Are the teeth significantly out of position?

If the teeth are too far out of position for a viable prosthetic solution then orthodontics may be appropriate.

Do you have sound, healthy teeth?

a. Minimal intervention: ultra-thin porcelain veneers

If you have existing teeth that are healthy and structurally sound – without any fissures, cracks or underlying issues – you can opt for porcelain veneers as a minimally invasive technique. Do note, however, that a small amount of enamel (about the thickness of contact lens) would need to be removed from the front of your teeth before porcelain veneers can be placed. Porcelain veneers may take up to 2 weeks to fabricate but they can be well worth the wait. The highly aesthetic and durable material can dramatically improve the appearance of damaged or discoloured tooth.

b. Minimal intervention: composite resin veneers

Composite resin veneers are precisely sculpted out of a putty-like material before being bonded to teeth. Allowing a more direct bonding procedure, as compared to that of porcelain veneers, the resin veneering process for a single tooth usually takes less than an hour. It should be noted that resin veneers are less durable than porcelain veneers. As in the case of porcelain veneers, a thin layer of tooth enamel will also be removed to accommodate the resin veneers.

Uses of Veneers

Veneers can be a solution to problems where a single tooth has been discoloured or even fractured. They are also widely used on multiple teeth to create a “Hollywood Smile”.

Other circumstances where veneers may be suitable are where;

• a person has small teeth resulting in spaces that may not be closed with an orthodontic solution
• teeth are worn away at the edges resulting in an aged appearance
• teeth are poorly positioned and appear crooked

Multiple veneers can be used to close these spaces, to lengthen teeth, and other problems such as gum recession.

Veneers will provide you with a uniform colour and shape as well as symmetry. They can also be used where teeth are yellowed and don’t respond to whitening.

Types of Dental Veneers

Porcelain veneers

Porcelain (ceramic) veneers are customised to mimic the appearance of a well formed tooth. It is a very thin shell placed over the top of existing teeth to modify aspects of the appearance of the teeth. An advantage of porcelain veneers is their ability to reflect light and match surrounding natural teeth.

Composite resin veneers

Composite veneers can be built up directly in your mouth, with the veneers able to be bonded and moulded to the front of your teeth often in a single dentist visit.

Veneers of composite material tend to be more economical than porcelain but they are less durable and may be in need of replacement more often. Composite material is usually a combination of micro-fillers, such as glass beads and resin plastics.

Dental Veneers Cost

How much do veneers cost?

Veneers range significantly in price, dependent on the material and the thickness of the veneer. Composite veneers are the most economical and ultra-thin ceramics are the ultimate solution. In addition to the material is the laboratory cost to manufacture. The choice of laboratory is a significant cost of the veneer and varies with the purported quality of the laboratory.

As a result veneers can cost from as little as $500 each to over $2000. Good oral hygiene is expected with porcelain veneers just as you would normal healthy teeth. As durable as they are a little extra care will need to be taken when it comes to eating tough foods and be sure to avoid grinding of your teeth.

Indicative Cost – You will be provided with a comprehensive treatment plan after your initial consultation.

Veneers FAQs

Are veneers for you?

Porcelain veneers are not designed to replace or function as a tooth, they are for aesthetic or cosmetic purposes.

When considering Porcelain Veneers, more than one consultation with the dentist will be required. The first consultation or two will involve discussing how you want your tooth/teeth to appear and the doctor will establish if your teeth satisfy the requirements to support a porcelain Veneer. This may involve X-Rays of your teeth and gums.

A patient must;

• Have good periodontal and oral health.
• Be committed to proper oral care and hygiene
• Have specific cosmetic goals, which they can articulate to their dentists at their initial consultations, as well as realistic expectations
• Have a sufficient amount of healthy enamel, as dentists usually remove a thin layer of enamel before placing veneers

Does it hurt?

The first stage will involve enamel removal, approximate to the thickness of the porcelain veneer off the surface of the tooth; this is roughly half a millimetre of enamel. You and your dentist will establish as to whether a local anaesthetic will be required.

How is a porcelain veneer made?

When the tooth/teeth in question has been shaved for the veneer, an impression is made and this is sent to a laboratory for the veneers to be constructed. This generally takes a few days, perhaps a week, during which time you may, or may not have temporary veneers. Your dentist will fit the veneers and make necessary adjustments before the final bonding. Your dentist may modify the shape of the veneer for proper fitting or change the colour.

Bonding a Veneer

Your teeth are prepared to be bonded with the veneer. They are cleaned, polished and then etched so that a rough surface is made to create the optimal surface for strongly bonding the porcelain veneer with resin adhesive.

The adhesive is then applied and the veneer placed on top. Once it has been maneuvered into the correct position a special light beam is applied to the cement that quickly cures the adhesive. The area is then cleaned and polished. Usually your dentist will ask you to come back in a few weeks for a check-up.

Issues

Careful consideration must be given to the use of veneers for instant orthodontics as this may be harmful, especially for younger people with healthy teeth.

When there is only minor cosmetic or wear issues it may not be justifiable to destroy a significant portion of the tooth surface in preparation for veneers.

It is not unusual for teeth to be sensitive for a few weeks after placement. If there is prolonged sensitivity this usually indicates a problem that should be reviewed by the dentist.

Composite veneers are also more susceptible to staining and general deterioration than porcelain.

Maintenance

Veneers are similar to false nails and can chip, crack or even fall off. It is probable that after 10 years that half the veneers will need replacement or repair. Regular maintenance is required and routine check-ups should be a commonplace event if you have had veneers placed.

If you wish to book an appointment or have a specific enquiry about dental veneers at Face Value Dental, please don't hesitate to give us a call on(07) 3221 0677.

Go back to cosmetic dentistry