Your smile is an exceptionally important part of you that impacts all aspects of life. When our smiles are far from perfect — whether it’s discoloured teeth covered in stains, gapped teeth, crooked teeth, chipped teeth, or anything else — it can leave us feeling very self-conscious, which manifests at work, home, and socially. If you’re interested in changing your smile to better reflect your confident, cool, and put-together personality, composite veneers may be for you. Keep reading to learn how to make your dream smile a reality, how the veneers process works, and how a cosmetic dentist can help.
Different Types of Dental Veneers
There are several different types of dental veneers.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain is the strongest and longest-lasting type of veneer. They are often thought to be permanent and rarely injure the gum or surrounding mouth tissues.
Composite Veneers
This type of veneer is a mix of inorganic and organic materials known as composite resin. These dental veneers are not as durable as porcelain and are less expensive as well.
Lumineers
Lumineers are a brand of dental veneers that are used to treat discolouration and teeth that are irregularly shaped.
Removable Veneers (Temporary Veneers)
Removable, or temporary veneers, are similar to dentures because they can easily be removed. The teeth don’t need to be shaved down for these temporary veneers.
What Are Composite Veneers?
Composite veneers are a popular alternative to porcelain veneers that are made of resin and custom-made and fit to the tooth. Their purpose is to improve the natural appearance of the smile.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Getting Composite Veneers
Although not as durable as porcelain, composite veneers have made strides in terms of durability. Today, most composite veneers last about five to seven years until they need to be replaced.
Taking excellent care of your dental veneers will help you extend their lifespan. You can do things like:
- Regularly brush your veneers with non-abrasive toothpaste.
- Refrain from chewing ice and other hard objects.
- Avoid excessive coffee, tea, and red wine drinking, because veneers can stain easily.
Here’s what you can expect during the process of getting composite veneers:
- Schedule a consultation to discuss your smile goals with your dentist while learning more about the procedure. At your consultation (first visit), the dentist will take a full set of X-rays and ask about your dental history to learn about your unique oral environment. Then, the dentist will come up with a treatment plan and go over it with you.
- On the day of your composite veneer placement appointment (your second visit), your teeth will be cleaned and prepared. Then, the dentist will place and shape the composite resin, making sure it fits perfectly with your underlying tooth structure, bite, and gum health.
- About a week or two later, you’ll return to the dentist for your next appointment. The dentist will polish your dental veneers to perfection and ask how you’re adjusting to the veneers. This is your chance to ask any questions that have popped up since your procedure.
- Enjoy your new smile for the next several years. Remember the tips we discussed above to keep your composite veneers in tip-top shape for as long as possible!
There are a few key characteristics that differentiate composite and porcelain veneers:
- Durability: Composite resin is easy to fix because it’s extremely malleable. This gives it a lifespan of about 3 to 5 years. On the other hand, porcelain is rigid, and once it’s been bonded to a tooth, don’t expect it to move for 10 to 20 years.
- Maintenance: Both types of veneers need some pretty detailed maintenance in and outside of the dentist’s office. The resin used in composite veneers requires much more maintenance than its porcelain counterpart. This is because composite veneers stain a lot easier. For this reason, it’s recommended to get three professional dental cleanings per year for composite veneers.
- Feel: The material used in composite veneers is different from what’s used in porcelain. Composite veneers feel more like rubber, whereas porcelain veneers feel like glass.
Benefits of Composite Veneers
- Lower cost than porcelain veneers.
- Takes less time to apply the veneers.
- Can cover up an array of aesthetic problems like teeth that are discoloured, misshapen, and have other defects.
How Much Do Composite Veneers Cost?
Prices vary from practice to practice and on a case-by-case basis. But, it’s worth noting that you can expect to pay around $500 for a single composite veneer in Australia.
Seek Treatment for Your Oral Health
Interested in learning more about composite veneers or ready to schedule an appointment? It’s important to find the right dentist for your cosmetic dentistry needs. From teeth whitening to dental implants and dental veneers services, we’re here to make your beautiful smile shine. If you have any questions about the dental veneers process, contact us today to take the next step in feeling confident about your smile again.