Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are made of an ultra-thin layer of porcelain that covers the front of the teeth, and can completely transform a smile while maintaining a natural look. They are ideal for those who are looking to enhance their smiles. At Putney Dental Care, our friendly dentists provide comprehensive dental care for patients in Putney, Ryde, Gladesville, Hunters Hill, Meadowbank, Macquarie Park and other nearby areas.

What Are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are a bespoke ceramic that is placed on the front of the teeth. They are designed to harmonise each patient’s smile and hand-crafted for a natural appearance. Porcelain veneers are highly stain resistant, durable and provide a natural look.

While more costly than composite veneers, they offer greater durability against staining foods or drinks and have less risk of chipping or cracking. 

They can correct common imperfections such as: 

• Close gaps or spaces between the teeth
• Lengthen short looking teeth or teeth that are worn down
• Strengthen teeth
• Complete smile makeovers
• Correct rotations or minor crowding in your smile
• Restore misshapen or chipped teeth
• Improve the appearance of dark teeth or stained teeth

We can enhance a singular tooth or perform a smile transformation. 

Suitable Candidates

A suitable candidate for porcelain veneers is someone who:

• Has healthy teeth, excluding those with tooth decay, weakened teeth, inadequate enamel on the tooth surface and periodontal disease
• Regularly drinks coffee, soft drinks or tea
• Often smokes

Porcelain veneers may not be ideal for people who grind or clench their teeth, as this can cause the porcelain veneer to chip or crack. It is also not recommended for those with misaligned or very crooked teeth – in these cases, some minor orthodontic alignment prior to veneer treatment may be recommended to achieve the best results.

Porcelain Veneers Before and After

To help guide your understanding of this cosmetic dental service, the following image shows the quality difference of porcelain veneers before and after installation.

As you can see, porcelain veneers provide both a whiter and straighter set of teeth.

Porcelain Veneers Before and After

Porcelain Veneers Process

The porcelain veneers process requires three appointments. On average, you can expect the final installation of your porcelain veneers approximately 3-4 weeks after your initial consultation.

• Your First Appointment: Smile Assessment and Planning

The first appointment is for our experienced cosmetic dentists to understand your ideal smile, to conduct an examination of your teeth, and formulate a plan tailored to your smile.

Your dentist will discuss your options and provide you with examples of smiles and teeth that you might like.

Your dentist will then discuss what your preferences are and if you have any limitations. To ensure your new smile will be in harmony with your facial features, they will take a digital scan of your teeth, and photos of your current smile. X-rays of your mouth may be taken to assess the health of your teeth and gums. Your dentist can then digitally design your smile using this information, so that you can imagine your new smile before any work is started!

It can take from 1-2 weeks to digitally design your smile in preparation for your second appointment.

• Your Second Appointment: Trial Your New Smile & Temporary Veneers

The second appointment is for test-driving your new smile, preparing the teeth for your veneers and making some temporary veneers.

As your new smile is tested out, our cosmetic dentists can work with you and make changes to achieve your ideal smile.

Your teeth are conservatively shaped to make space for the ceramic material to bond to your teeth in a natural way. A digital scan is then taken to send to our ceramists to handcraft your veneers.

Your temporary porcelain veneers can be worn for a few days or up to a few weeks to get used to their appearance.

With your temporary dental veneers, you can see how you will “live with” your new teeth. It also provides you with the opportunity to provide feedback and make any adjustments before your porcelain veneers are attached to your teeth at the following appointment.

• Your Third Appointment: Placement of veneers

The third appointment is for fitting your new porcelain veneers and you’ll go home with your new smile!

Your dentist will place the dental veneers over your teeth and make any final adjustments before it is glued into place. This includes adjusting the fit, shape and colour.

When you are happy with the appearance of the porcelain veneer, they will be glued into place.

This takes several hours and is performed under a numbing treatment, after the teeth have been deeply cleaned.

After the bond has been applied, an ultraviolet light is used to harden the adhesive.

Lastly, any final adjustments are made as your dentist evaluates the appearance and placement of the porcelain veneer, ensuring they are the right fit and sit comfortably.

You will have a follow up appointment after a few weeks of living with your porcelain dental veneers, to ensure everything is healing and your bite and gums are adjusting to these changes.

Caring for Your Dental Veneers

When it comes to caring for your porcelain dental veneers, consider taking extra caution by:

• Being mindful of your teeth when eating tough, hard or chewy foods.
• Avoiding chewing on ice, nail biting and chewing on pens.
• Reducing the consumption of coffee, red wine and other drinks that may stain your teeth.
• Investing in a mouthguard, if you play contact sports.
• Wearing a retainer or a splint at night time if you grind your teeth.

Porcelain Veneers Cost

The cost of porcelain veneers will depend on the number of veneers, how complex the treatment is and other factors.

Each procedure is customised to ensure that you get the right fit and best results. However, you can expect to pay anywhere between $1250 to $1700 per tooth for our porcelain veneers service.

In your initial consultation, we will discuss the approach and provide an estimate of the total cost.

Porcelain Veneers Pros

• Stain resistant

Porcelain veneers are resistant to stains which makes them ideal for people who regularly consume black tea, red wine or smoke. It is also ideal for those who have cigarette stains, as the highly glazed surface of the veneers does not collect plaque and stains like our natural teeth.

• Natural looking smile

Porcelain veneers are very natural looking as they are custom made and layered to suit your selection of tooth colour and shade.

• Durable

Porcelain veneers have a long lifespan if well maintained. Generally, traditional porcelain veneers can last up to 10-15 years.

• Improves quality of life

If you are self conscious of your teeth or smile, dental veneers can help restore your confidence.

Porcelain Veneers Cons

• Permanent

Dental veneers are not reversible, especially if your teeth need to be shaved down. It is usually done in a conservative manner, and your cosmetic dentist can discuss this with you at your first consultation.

• Longevity

At some point in its life, your porcelain veneers will need to be replaced. To replace the dental veneers, your cosmetic dentist will need to remove the existing veneers and make you a new one.

• Cost

Dental veneers can be quite costly, with the average price of porcelain dental veneers in Sydney around $1800.

• Durability

Porcelain veneers are durable, but over time, they can be prone to chipping and breakage. To prolong the life of your porcelain veneers, do not put too much strain on them and keep them away from any excessive force. Sometimes breakage can be inevitable, meaning they may require replacement or repairs.

• Sensitivity

Your teeth may become sensitive to hot and cold foods and substances if enamel is removed for your dental veneers. This usually subsides after treatment.

• Eligibility

Not everyone is eligible for dental veneers. If you have gum disease or tooth decay, you may require other treatment before you start dental veneer treatment.

Are Porcelain Veneers Worth it?

While porcelain veneers can be a permanent and costly procedure, they are generally long lasting, look natural, are resistant to stains and can help restore your confidence. 

A consultation with a cosmetic dentist can determine whether porcelain veneers are a suitable aesthetic enhancement.

Veneers vs Braces

Dental veneers and braces are both great options for those considering cosmetic dentistry to enhance their teeth and achieve a perfect, natural smile. Our cosmetic dentist can check your

• Veneers

Veneers are an effective and fast option for those who want to improve their smile. Porcelain veneers last many years, but require more preparation as the teeth veneers need to fit onto the surface of your teeth. This may include filing down your natural teeth, before applying the veneers. Veneers are not recommended as a short term and reversible option.

It is recommended to conduct your own research and consider your options for altering your smile. Dental veneers are an ongoing commitment to maintain your smile, and your teeth veneers may need to be replaced due to damages, cracks, adhesive breaking down or tooth decay.

• Braces

Braces are a more conservative option that require tooth-coloured or metal braces to move the teeth into place. Braces can also help fix bite and jaw issues, crooked teeth, overcrowding and reduce the risk of tooth decay or loss.

Using braces to correct a cosmetic problem may take at least six months, with the addition of a retainer to keep the teeth in place. If you are concerned about the appearance of metal braces, there are more discreet tooth-coloured ceramic options available.

Crowns vs Veneers

Dental veneers and dental crowns are another great option for improving the appearance of a patient’s smile, though they are better suited for different purposes

• Dental Crowns

A dental crown is used to save a weakened or damaged tooth that has been compromised. A root treated tooth is often protected with a crown. Crowns are suitable for restoring teeth with large fillings, cracks or fractures.

• Veneers

Dental veneers are commonly used for aesthetic purposes. It is ideal to improve the appearance and shape of the teeth, including any gaps, chips, stains or cracks.

Porcelain Veneers Near Me With Putney Dental Care

Our cosmetic dentistry team at Putney Dental are dedicated to providing quality smile enhancements across Ryde, Meadowbank and Gladesville. 

To book an appointment for porcelain veneers today, call us on (02) 9808 2588, or fill out our contact form and we will be happy to assist you.

FAQs

• How Long Do Porcelain Veneers Last?

Generally, porcelain veneers can last from 10 to 15 years as long as they are maintained every 6 months with your dentist, and care is taken by you with the types of foods eaten and any grinding or clenching is addressed. They may last even longer with good maintenance.

• Do Porcelain Veneers Stain?

Porcelain veneers do not discolour over time. The material is renowned for its ability to deflect stains, so you can smile brightly and confidently for years.

• Can You Whiten Veneers?

It is not recommended to use whitening treatments on veneers. Teeth whitening treatments cannot change the colour of the veneers, but they can alter the colour of your natural teeth, which may produce an uneven toned smile.

• Do Veneers Fall Off Easily?

Veneers do not fall off easily, but as time passes, the veneers may slowly detach from the teeth as the bonding agent would weaken over time. This can cause the veneers to loosen and fall off.

• Are Veneers Painful?

The process for veneers is generally pain free. Some people may experience some sensitivity issues and discomfort, but there is no serious pain.

• Can You Eat With Veneers?

Yes, you can eat with veneers. To be safe, consider eating everything with cutlery, avoid any extra force on the front teeth.

• Does Private Health Insurance Cover Veneers?

This will depend on your private health fund as it is determined by the level of coverage on your policy. Basic private health insurance often does not include cosmetic dental treatments, but you may be eligible for some coverage under your extras policy.

It would be best to consult your private health fund on whether a dental veneer will be covered under your policy.