DENTAL VENEERS

Do you want to whiten or straighten your teeth?

If your teeth are stained, chipped, slightly crooked or have minor gaps, veneers could be the cosmetic dental option for you. These thin laminate shells can be fitted over the front of your teeth to cover up flaws and show the smile you want.

At Sydney Park Dental, we offer a choice of porcelain or composite veneers. Our Erskineville dentists will explain the benefits of each option, as well as the costs and risks, so you can make a fully informed decision.

We’ll work closely with you to design a new custom smile you can be happy with.

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Click Here or call us on (02) 8084 7170 to book an appointment at our Erskineville dental clinic. Our friendly team will respond to you within 1 business day.

Am I suitable for veneers?

Veneers may be used to address one or more cosmetic issues with your teeth. They can turn yellow or discoloured teeth white, make slightly misaligned teeth straight, close small gaps between teeth, and cover up chips, cracks or other minor damage.

If you’re interested in a veneers treatment, our dentists will carry out a complete oral health assessment to check that your teeth and gums are healthy and determine whether you’re a suitable candidate. If you have an oral health problem such as tooth decay or gum disease, this will need to be treated first.

You may not be suitable for veneers if your teeth are severely crooked, misaligned or misshapen, you grind your teeth, or your teeth are too small or thin to support the veneers. We can also discuss other cosmetic options that may be better suited to you, such as teeth whitening or crowns.

What are the different types of veneers?

If you decide that veneers are the right choice for you, we’ll explain the pros and cons of the 2 options we offer: porcelain veneers and composite resin veneers. Both are made from tooth-coloured materials for a natural-looking finish.

Porcelain veneers

If you want your veneers to look as lifelike as possible, we recommend porcelain veneers. The translucent effect of porcelain in different light conditions closely resembles natural tooth enamel, and most people won’t be able to tell the difference.

Porcelain veneers are custom-made, which requires several appointments at our clinic. Once your veneers are fitted, they should feel similar to natural teeth and won’t affect your diet. Your veneers can last up to 10 years when you take good care of your oral health.

Pros: Stronger and longer-lasting, more natural appearance, resistant to stains.

Cons: Cost more, require multiple appointments, can’t be repaired.

Composite veneers

An alternative to porcelain is composite veneers. These are made from a composite resin that’s applied directly to your teeth and hardened, so you won’t have to wait for your veneers to be made. This also makes them more affordable.

We’ll choose the shade of resin that matches your natural tooth colour or has the level of whiteness you desire. These veneers will still look like real teeth, but they don’t have the same translucent effect as porcelain.

They’re also more prone to stains and more easily damaged, but they may be repaired by your dentist if needed. Composite veneers can last for 5 to 10 years.

Pros: Cost less, can be fitted in a single appointment, can be repaired.

Cons: Less strong, prone to staining, more easily damaged.

How are veneers fitted?

Before your veneers are fitted, we’ll examine your mouth to make sure you’re a suitable candidate. We’ll give you all the details about what the veneers procedure involves, so you can decide if you’re happy to go through with it.

Your teeth need to be prepared before veneers can be placed. This involves removing a thin layer of enamel from the front of your teeth and etching its surface to make bonding easier. We’ll give you a local anaesthetic if there’s a risk of pain or discomfort during this process.

If you choose composite veneers, these can be built up directly on your teeth and cured using a special light. When the resin hardens, we’ll make final adjustments and polish the veneers to their finished appearance.

If you choose porcelain veneers, we’ll take impressions of your teeth and design your custom veneers, which will be manufactured in a dental laboratory. We’ll fit you with temporary veneers to wear until your next appointment. Once your veneers are ready, we’ll make any adjustments needed and bond them into place.

What are the risks?

We’ll make sure you understand the possible risks and complications of veneers before you agree to the treatment. It’s important to be aware that getting veneers permanently alters the shape of your teeth, as some of the enamel is removed.

Your teeth may feel more sensitive after being prepared for veneers, which could last up to a few weeks. You can try to avoid discomfort during this time by avoiding food and drink that’s overly hot, cold, hard, chewy or crunchy. Your teeth should return to their normal sensitivity before too long.

How should I care for my veneers?

It’s important to look after your veneers once they’re fitted, and to continue taking good care of the underlying teeth by following good oral hygiene.

Porcelain veneers are strong and resistant to stains, but they can still be chipped or broken if you have an accident. A damaged porcelain veneer will need to be replaced.

Composite veneers are less strong than porcelain, so you should avoid biting hard foods such as nuts or ice, as well as other objects. They can also stain more easily, so you should consider avoiding tea, coffee, red wine and other staining food and beverages. Damaged composite veneers may be repaired by your dentist.

If your veneers are damaged or you have any unusual symptoms after your treatment, make an emergency appointment with our dentists.

How much do veneers cost?

The cost of veneers depends on how many are needed, the material they’re made from and other factors. We’ll give you a full breakdown of costs during your consultation and discuss our finance options.