If you are unsatisfied with the appearance of your teeth, you may have been recommended a veneer. A veneer is a thin shell of material that is bonded to the front surface of a tooth to improve its appearance, covering up a range of issues such as discolouration, excessive wear, chips and breakages, as well as misalignments and overly large gaps.

Cosmetic dentists primarily make use of two kinds of veneers: composite veneers made of a light-cured resin, and porcelain veneers composed of dental ceramic. Each has different properties, offering their own unique advantages for individual patients.

If you’re considering a veneer, let The Dental Boutique help you understand the options open to you, allowing you to make the most informed choice for your health and appearance.

Understanding composite veneers

Composite veneers are crafted from one several synthetic resins and either applied directly to the tooth or constructed in a laboratory setting and affixed by a dentist. The specific composite veneer composition will be chosen by your dentist based on a range of factors such as the location within the mouth of the affected tooth, the severity of staining/damage on the tooth in question, the number of teeth requiring veneers and the strength of the underlying tooth.

A direct dental composite veneer can generally be fitted in a single sitting, requiring the dentist to build up layers of composite on the tooth that are then cured with a hand-held light source. Conversely, an indirect dental composite will require a mould or scan of the affected tooth to be taken over one or several appointments, with the veneer built in a laboratory before being affixed with a resin cement. While taking longer, an indirect dental composite allows more control over the manufacturing process, ensuring a deeper cure, less chance of shrinkage affecting fit and reduced risk of marginal gaps.

How do porcelain veneers differ?

Porcelain veneers are an entirely different product. While composite veneers can be applied directly to an affected tooth, porcelain veneers are required to be manufactured and fitted separately. The porcelain used is a high-grade dental ceramic designed for hardness, stain-resistance and biocompatibility, without sacrificing the natural appearance that you’re looking for.

While previously the procedure of creating a porcelain, veneer involved the shaving back of a tooth to accommodate the extra material involved, modern technology has reduced the need for this using an ultra-thin, ultra-strong veneers, minimising the need for alteration to the structure of the tooth. A 3D scan will be taken of your mouth before the veneer is produced using a computer-aided manufacturing system, allowing a more precise fit than hand-applied composite veneers.

Book a consultation at our private dental clinic in the Gold Coast

At The Dental Boutique, we utilise the latest technology to help our clients get the best possible smile. Our skilled private cosmetic dentists understand your needs and work with you to understand exactly what kind of appearance you want to achieve.

If you’re interested in learning more about porcelain veneers and the complete range of cosmetic dentistry solutions at The Dental Boutique, contact [email protected] to make an appointment.