Dental veneers are custom made shells applied to natural teeth to both strengthen the tooth as well as to mask dark discoloured teeth for aesthetics. Veneers are placed mostly on the front surfaces of teeth to change their appearance. They are also widely used to protect teeth after they have been broken or chipped off. Veneers are also an option to enhance the colour of teeth where multiple visits of whitening have failed.
Are veneers for everyone?
Most people are suitable candidates for veneers. However, if you suffer from teeth grinding, gum disease or badly misaligned teeth you may have to consider treating them before the application of veneers.
Veneers can be the best solution for:
- Minor gaps in between teeth.
- Malformed teeth
- Discoloured teeth
- Broken chipped or cracked teeth.
Types of veneers
There are two different types of veneers, porcelain also called as indirect veneers, and composite also called direct veneers. The type of veneer for you is determined by your urgency, budget, preference and circumstance.
Porcelain veneers are made of the hardened ceramic and are fabricated in the dental laboratory. They are more durable, long-lasting and have better colour stability than composite veneers as they do not stain easily. When aesthetics is the main concern porcelain would be your choice of veneers. Porcelain veneers, however, if it gets chipped is not easily repairable and need to be replaced.
Composite veneers are made up of the white filling material usually done in a single visit as an in-chair procedure. They are a cheaper alternative to porcelain veneers and are easy to repair if damaged. However, they do require to be replaced more often as they can get discoloured over a period. With continuing advancements in dentistry, a composite made now is more durable, and colour matching and when done by our best dentist at Niddrie Dental Clinic can look like porcelain veneers!
How often do I need to change the veneers?
Composite veneers last for about 5-7 years depending on how you well you take care of them. Porcelain Veneers are known to last for 10-12 years or possibly longer. It depends highly on your gum health, your dietary and brushing habits. Veneers if they were to fail, chips off or cracks rather than falling off as a whole. Don’t worry if you’ve chipped your veneer during your favourite meal. Our after-hours dentist may be able to help you to get your smile back in no time! We have one of the best dentists in Melbourne who has years of experience in front tooth filling.
Can Veneers make my teeth sensitive?
That’s the best thing about veneers!!! They mostly require minimal preparation of the tooth and sometimes none at all, so there is a very remote chance of these teeth being sensitive.