Porcelain veneers are a way that celebrities, Instagram influencers or even the average Joe can boost their confidence with a sparkly white smile. As a popular cosmetic dental treatment here in Melbourne and across the world, cosmetic veneers are an excellent option for people looking to address a variety of dental imperfections, such as damaged enamel or unsightly gaps between teeth. However, porcelain teeth aren’t the right solution for everyone. That’s why you need to be across full porcelain veneers before investing in them.
Let’s Start With the Basics: What Are Porcelain Veneers?
So, what exactly are porcelain veneers? Dental veneers are essentially bespoke shells crafted from porcelain to cover any damage to your teeth. They can also change the shape, colour and contour of your teeth. Porcelain veneers are a permanent dental fixture, so once they’re bonded onto your teeth, they are unlikely to come off anytime soon.
What Type of Dental Issues Can Veneers Be Used To Fix?
Veneers are a pretty versatile treatment option and can be used to tackle various cosmetic dental issues. From filling gaps between your teeth, straightening a crooked smile or evening out the colour of your teeth, dental veneers can do the trick when it comes to giving you the confident dazzling smile you’re after.
So, What Is the Process for Getting Dental Veneers?
At your initial consult, your dentist will start by examining your teeth and help you decide on how many veneers you need. Your dentist may also take x-rays or an impression of your mouth. They will then create a ‘test drive’ mock-up from wax which will enable you to get an idea of what your final smile will look like. With all this information to hand, the dental lab can then create your custom cosmetic veneers.
In a follow-up appointment, your dentist will prepare your teeth for the veneers. This involves removing some of the enamel from your tooth so that your porcelain veneers will fit snugly and look natural. A solution will also be applied to your teeth to create a rougher surface for the bonding agent to stick to. Then it’s time to stick your cosmetic veneers over your existing teeth!
Do You Know Both the Pros & Cons of Cosmetic Veneers?
As with everything, there are pros and cons to porcelain teeth as a cosmetic dental option. To be sure you can make an informed decision, you need to weigh the good against the bad and decide what is right for you.
Pro: Get that Perfect Smile Fast
Full porcelain veneers can help you get the smile of your dreams sooner. They can hide damaged or discoloured teeth, and you can select a porcelain to make darker teeth appear whiter. Compared to corrective treatments like braces and whitening procedures, dental veneers can be a more convenient and quicker option.
Pro: Your Smile Will Look Naturally White & Healthy
The porcelain used in cosmetic dental treatments closely resembles natural teeth, meaning it will be near-impossible for anyone to tell if you have veneers or not. Plus, porcelain is more stain resistant than natural teeth, so your smile will remain bright over time. Of course, you will still need to take care of your veneers and avoid having too many staining food or drinks, like wine and coffee, to keep them looking white.
Pro: Your Porcelain Teeth Are Easily Shaped
Because the porcelain veneers are placed on the front of your teeth, rather than slipped over the entire tooth like crowns, they are quicker and easier for your dentist to shape. For you, this means a faster procedure and results that will look more natural.
Pro: Your Porcelain Teeth Will Last a Long Time
Dental veneers are incredibly durable, and you’ll find that your gums tend to tolerate porcelain very well. As a result, if you’re wondering how long your porcelain veneers will last, you can expect to get anywhere from 10–15 years out of them with the proper care.
Con: Dental Veneers Aren’t Cheap
Veneers can be expensive, especially when compared to composite resin bonding. Therefore, it may not be the most cost-effective option for you.
Con: Porcelain Veneers Are a Lifetime Commitment
While it’s great that cosmetic veneers can last well over a decade, it’s important to remember that the procedure for bonding them to your teeth is something that cannot be undone. The enamel cannot be regrown and your teeth will be permanently changed. You need to be sure this is something you want to follow through on.
Con: Cosmetic Veneers Won’t Mean the End of Dental Issues
It’s true that porcelain veneers can mean you need to apply yourself less to keeping your teeth white and straight, you will still need to stay on top of your oral care. Your cosmetic veneers don’t protect the teeth under them from decay. If decay does set in, you may need to remove the veneer and replace it with a crown to provide greater coverage.
Similarly, even though porcelain veneers are tough, they can be damaged. For instance, veneers can fall off if they aren’t looked after. It is, therefore, best to avoid biting your nails or putting pressure on the veneers by biting hard objects such as ice. Otherwise, your veneers may chip or crack, and you will need to replace them.
Con: You May Experience Regular Discomfort as a Result of the Veneers
As veneers require part of your teeth’s enamel to be removed, you may find that your teeth become more sensitive to hot or cold foods and drinks. If you are already dealing with teeth sensitivity issues, this may be too much.
Con: Getting the Perfect Porcelain Veneer Colour Match Can Be Tricky
From an aesthetic point of view, even though veneers do look incredibly natural, it can be difficult to get the colour matched just right. This can be a real issue if you aren’t getting full porcelain veneers.
As part of this, it is also essential to bear in mind that the colour of the veneers can’t be changed once they are in place. So, if you are considering whitening your teeth, this should be done before starting your veneer procedure.
Con: You May Not Have the Right Teeth for Dental Veneers
Finally, even if you love the idea of getting porcelain veneers, the truth is you might not be an optimal candidate for them. For instance, dental veneers aren’t a viable option for people with particularly unhealthy teeth, like those who suffer from tooth decay or gum disease; have weak teeth caused by fractures, decays and large fillings; or do not have much enamel on their teeth. Moreover, if you regularly clench or grind your teeth, this can cause the veneers to chip or crack, which means they won’t be the most appropriate choice for you either. Your dentist will help determine whether you are a good candidate for the procedure at your initial consultation.
Are Cosmetic Veneers Right for You?
We have seen that dental veneers have the potential to produce great results and give you that sparkly smile you’ve been dreaming of. However, despite being a highly sought after procedure, veneers aren’t the only option. In fact, they aren’t necessarily suitable for everyone. If you’ve got your heart set on getting porcelain veneers, it’s important to speak to a dentist first before committing.
Luckily, if you’re looking for porcelain veneers in Melbourne, the team at Stanley Street Dental can help! We’re experts in this procedure, as well as a range of other cosmetic dental services, so we can help you get the smile of your dreams, even if porcelain veneers aren’t the way to go. Plus, we work with local laboratories to ensure you receive the highest quality results no matter what type of treatment you go for. When it comes to porcelain veneers, we use the latest ceramic technology to ensure your treatment is minimally invasive and the final results are durable and long lasting.
So what are you waiting for? Book an appointment at Stanley Street Dental for all your cosmetic dental needs and more!