DENTAL VENEERS

Dental Veneers Change the Look of your Teeth and Smile.

Dental Veneers are thin facings made of either composite or porcelain material, used to cover the visible surfaces of front teeth. They are specifically designed restorative treatment options used to change the colour, shape, size, length and position of anterior teeth. Dental Veneers are often made to significantly improve the appearance of your teeth, and in turn, the overall aesthetics of one's smile.

Dental veneers are a pivotal part of aesthetic dentistry. In some cases, dental veneers may be considered akin to a form of 'instant orthodontics'.

Compared to full coverage tooth reconstructions such as dental crowns, veneers are considered a more conservative restorative treatment option because less tooth structure is removed to enable their placement.

Dental veneers may be recommended to correct and improve the appearance of:

• discoloured teeth,
• worn teeth,
• chipped or broken teeth,
• slightly misaligned teeth
• irregularly shaped teeth,
• gaps between teeth.

Types of Dental Veneers

Dental veneers may be constructed from either composite resin restorative material or dental ceramics. Veneers made from composite resin are known as Composite Veneers. They are made and attached to the teeth with little to no tooth preparation by a process called 'dental bonding'. Composite veneers can also be referred to as 'direct veneers' due to the fact they are made in a single dental appointment.

Dental veneers made from the latest high strength dental ceramics are called Porcelain Veneers. They are also known as 'indirect veneers', because they are constructed over multiple dental appointments and sent to a dental laboratory to be made before being inserted in the mouth. Porcelain veneers may often last significantly longer and produce a superior aesthetic result when compared to composite veneers.

Planning Dental Veneers

First of all, our goal is to help you improve your smile confidence, in a realistic and minimally invasive way. As the materials used for veneers are different, consideration needs to be given regarding the suitability of each material for the circumstances of each patient. 

If you are a candidate for dental veneers, the most suitable material for your veneers can be determined following a professional consultation and smile analysis at our practice. 

We take into consideration:

• the nature of your dental problem,
• the quality and amount of suitable natural tooth structure present,
• your tooth alignment and bite,
• the health of your gums, your gum profile and contours,
• what may be achieved,
• whether prior teeth whitening may improve your overall result,
• the treatment prognosis,
• your aesthetic goals, expectations and budget.

Composite and Porcelain Veneers at Melbourne Dentistry

At Melbourne Dentistry, Dr Maria will listen to your concerns. She will undertake a comprehensive dental examination of your mouth, tissues and teeth. Following this, she will need to take an impression of your mouth to make a mould of your teeth. This will help her assess your current dental condition and bite, to plan your treatment.

A 'mock up' of your proposed veneers will then be made for you to review. Treatment will only be commenced once you are satisfied with the proposed plan and approve the design of your new veneers.

When you are ready, Dr Maria will shape and prepare your teeth for your planned veneers. She will then make a mould of your newly prepared teeth. Your porcelain veneers will be constructed from this mould in a dental laboratory. In addition, temporary facings are attached to protect your teeth until your final veneers are made. Once the veneers are ready, Dr Maria will be bonded them to your teeth during a subsequent dental appointment.

We look forward to assisting you with the best available options to suit your aesthetic treatment needs.