If you are considering porcelain veneers, this article explains what they are, what the treatment involves, the risks and ongoing commitments, and what to ask when choosing a porcelain veneers dentist.
What are Porcelain Veneers?
Dental porcelain veneers are thin shells of dental ceramic bonded to the front surfaces of teeth. They are used to change the appearance of teeth affected by discolouration, gaps, chips and minor irregularities in position. Porcelain resists staining well and can be made to resemble natural tooth structure closely.
Porcelain veneers are a cosmetic treatment. They do not treat decay, gum disease or bite problems, and those conditions need to be addressed before veneers are considered.
IMPORTANT — porcelain veneer treatment involves permanently removing a layer of enamel from the front of otherwise healthy teeth. Enamel does not grow back. Once teeth are prepared, they will require veneers or crowns for life, and those restorations will need replacing periodically at ongoing cost. Understand this before agreeing to treatment.
Published estimates commonly put the lifespan of porcelain veneers at around 10 to 15 years. This varies considerably with the individual, the bite, oral hygiene and habits such as grinding. Some fail earlier, and none are permanent.
Choosing a Practitioner
Choosing who provides your treatment matters, and there are things you can check.
- Registration and Qualifications
All dental practitioners in Australia must be registered with the Dental Board of Australia. You can check any practitioner’s registration, qualifications and whether they hold specialist registration on the Ahpra public register.
- Discussion of alternatives
A thorough consultation should cover the alternatives to veneers, including orthodontic treatment, whitening and composite bonding, and explain why one option is being recommended over another for your case.
- Written information
You should receive a written quote setting out what is included, together with a clear explanation of the risks, before agreeing to treatment.
- Materials and Laboratory
It is reasonable to ask what ceramic is being used and which laboratory is fabricating the veneers.
Porcelain veneers at North Sydney Dentistry
- Our Practitioners
Our dentists provide porcelain veneers as part of general dental practice. All are registered with the Dental Board of Australia and their registration can be verified on the Ahpra public register.
- Materials
We use laboratory-fabricated dental ceramic for porcelain veneers.
- Treatment planning
Plans are prepared individually after examination of your teeth, gums and bite. We discuss what you want to change, explain the options including those involving less enamel removal, set out the risks and provide a written quote. Where veneers are not appropriate for your case, we will tell you.
The Treatment Process
- Initial consultation. Your teeth, gums and bite are examined, X-rays are taken where needed, and the options are discussed. This appointment establishes whether porcelain veneers are appropriate for you.
- A layer of enamel is removed from the front of the teeth being treated. This step is irreversible. Local anaesthetic is commonly used.
- Impressions and fabrication. Impressions or digital scans are taken and sent to a dental laboratory. Temporary veneers may be fitted while the permanent ones are made.
- The teeth veneers are tried in to check fit and colour, adjusted as needed, then bonded in place. Colour is confirmed before bonding, because it cannot be changed afterwards without remaking the veneer.
What Porcelain Veneers can offer
- Appearance
Dental ceramic can be made to resemble the translucency and surface texture of natural teeth. How closely a result matches depends on the case, the materials and the laboratory work.
- Stain resistance
Porcelain resists staining better than natural enamel or composite resin. The bonding margins can still discolour over time, and the adjacent natural teeth continue to age and stain while the veneers do not change colour.
- Durability
Porcelain veneers are made to withstand normal function. They can still chip, crack or debond, and a damaged porcelain veneer generally has to be replaced rather than repaired.
What to expect afterwards
Sensitivity to hot and cold is common after preparation and bonding and usually settles within a few weeks, though it can persist. Some people experience gum tenderness while the tissues settle around the new margins. Most people are comfortable with over-the-counter pain relief where needed.
Caring for Porcelain Veneers
- Regular check-ups
Attend regular examinations and professional cleaning so the veneers, the underlying teeth and the gums can be monitored. Problems at the margins are easier to manage when found early.
- Oral hygiene
Brush twice daily with a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste and floss daily. The margin where a veneer meets the tooth is a site where decay can start.
- Protect them
Avoid chewing ice, nuts and hard confectionery. Tell your dentist if you grind or clench your teeth, as grinding is a common cause of veneer failure and a nightguard may be recommended.
Risks and Limitations
Porcelain veneers are elective cosmetic treatment and carry risks that should be explained to you before you proceed:
- irreversible enamel removal, committing the teeth to restorations permanently
- tooth sensitivity, usually temporary but sometimes persistent
- gum irritation, and recession over time exposing the veneer margin
- chipping, cracking or debonding requiring replacement at further cost
- the possibility that a prepared tooth requires root canal treatment or extraction
- colour that cannot be altered once made and may not match natural teeth as they age
- a finite lifespan requiring periodic replacement
Veneers are generally not appropriate where there is active decay or gum disease, insufficient enamel, significant grinding, or a bite that would place excessive force on them.
Results vary between individuals and no outcome can be guaranteed.
Arranging a Consultation
To find out whether porcelain veneers Sydney are suitable for your case, contact North Sydney Dentistry at Level 1, Suite 102/71 Walker St, North Sydney NSW 2060 to arrange an examination. You will receive an explanation of the options and their risks and a written quote before any treatment begins.