Hollywood smiles are not just for the rich and famous. Veneers can offer a simple solution to correct dental flaws and achieve a beautiful smile. What types of veneers are available and how much veneers cost in Australia.
What are Veneers?
Veneers utilizes a thin layer of either porcelain or composite material that is bonded to the front of your teeth to disguise flaws such as tooth discolouration, crooked or gapped teeth.
Why Choose Veneers?
Unlike other cosmetic dental procedures, veneers offer an easy, minimally-invasive, and relatively pain-free way to achieve your perfect smile without braces or orthodontic treatment. Veneers can disguise a range of dental flaws from crooked and gapped teeth, to discolouration and poorly shaped teeth. Sometimes, teeth whitening is performed before veneers preparation to ensure you get the final desired shade. Veneers are also a major part of cosmetic dentistry. Veneer teeth are only required minimal or no teeth preparation like Lumineers in comparison to other treatment such as tooth cap or tooth crown.
The difference between porcelain veneers and Lumineers is that the Lumineers are thinner and are not as strong as the porcelain veneers. Lumineers are not optimal in disguising discoloured teeth. Additional teeth bleaching will be required to obtain a uniform colour to ensure the veneer teeth matches the rest of the adjacent teeth.
Types of Veneers
The total cost of veneers in Australia largely depends on the veneers you wish to use. There are two types of veneers to choose from and each offers different benefits.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are ceramic material to create a natural-looking opalescence smile. They are composed of a thin, but strong porcelain shell which is applied to the outside of the tooth with dental adhesive then shaped to fit.
How long do Porcelain veneers last?
Porcelain veneers are suitable for covering a wide range of tooth problems and can last from 10 -15 years if properly cared for.
How often should Porcelain veneers be replaced?
Veneers should be replaced when you can see the gum to porcelain margin. Naturally, your gums recede 0.5 mm yearly and the recession will become noticeable after 10 years.
As we age, our natural teeth darken which means your veneer teeth will not match your natural teeth. Veneers need to be replaced when there is an obvious colour mismatch.
How often do Porcelain veneers fall off?
If the veneer is not bonded properly, they can fall off, but maybe rebonded back provided there is enough enamel to bond with the porcelain veneer.
Composite Veneers
Composite veneers are a more affordable option for disguising flaws. The material is created and applied on-site by the dentist rather than at the lab, and unlike porcelain veneers, they can be applied in a single session. Composite veneers are composed of a tooth-coloured resin that is applied directly to the tooth without the need for adhesives and then exposed to a special light to harden.
How often do Composite veneers break?
Composite veneers tend to chip or wear in comparison to porcelain veneers.
How often do Composite veneers fall out?
Composite veneers can break or fall out if too thin or have a traumatic or deep bite.
How often should Composite veneers be replaced?
Composite veneers need to be replaced every year as they are prone to stains, wear and damages.
Composite veneers, while effective, may be unsuitable for covering more severe flaws and do not last as long as porcelain veneers. They are not stain-resistant and are more prone to damage than porcelain veneers, which may incur additional costs for repair or replacement. They are, however, reversible because the tooth requires less shaping during preparation.
How many veneers are in a full set?
For those who require a full set of veneers, it depends on the number of teeth in each individual. Generally, there are 28 teeth for a full mouth. The number of veneers you need depends on your smile. If you have a Julia Roberts smile, you will need more veneers as you show more teeth.
How many veneers should you get?
This is based on financial constraints, how many teeth you show and your expectations of your smile. Sometimes, you might have gaps that require dental implants or a dental bridge.
In some cases, some teeth might not be suitable for veneers as they are too broken down and require tooth extraction. If you are wearing a denture, in this instance, dental implants are required rather than veneers.
How much veneers cost per tooth?
In addition to the veneer cost, there are some other costs that you need to consider:
· initial consultation for an assessment and discussion of your options.
· preparation of your teeth which may include additional procedures such as contouring
· preparation of the moulds and the fitting for temporary veneers.
· fitting and trialling the permanent veneers.
· cementing and shaping of the permanent veneers.
Veneers are an affordable option for correcting the appearance of your smile. However, the cost of your veneers depends on the number of teeth that will be receiving treatment and the kind of veneers used.
Porcelain veneers cost more than composite veneers, but typically last longer and offer a more natural-looking appearance.
Does my Insurance Cover the Cost of Veneers?
Most insurance providers do not provide standalone dental coverage, but general dental treatments are offered through extras coverage for an additional premium. However, veneers are typically considered under the category of Major Dental, which requires a higher level of coverage. Talk to your insurance provider to find out exactly which dental procedures your policy covers. There are still usually some out-of-pocket costs, and maybe a waiting period before you can make your claim.
Final Thoughts
Age, genetics, injury and general wear and tear can leave you with a flawed smile. Veneers are a great alternative to other more invasive cosmetic dental procedures to help you achieve the smile of your dreams. If you are interested in having veneers, Call 9558 8988 to make an appointment at Pain-Free Dentist Sydney and start your journey to the perfect smile.