If you’re looking to transform your smile and fix chipped, stained, or misaligned teeth, then dental veneers may be a great option for you.
But how do dental veneers work to fix your teeth? What’s the difference between composite and porcelain veneers? And can they replace a missing tooth?
In this guide, we explore how veneers work so that you can determine if dental veneers are right for you.
What do veneers do?
So, what are dental veneers, and how do they work?
Dental veneers have one underlying purpose: to enhance the appearance of a tooth or set of teeth.
Whether you choose porcelain or composite veneers, they essentially do the same thing. Porcelain Dental Veneers are permanently bonded to the surface of your teeth to:
- Cover staining from substances like coffee or smoking, medication and fluorideflouride over-consumption
- Cover discolouration from tooth canals
- Reshape worn-down teeth from excess grinding
- Fill out any gaps between your teeth
- Cover chips and cracks
- Cosmetically correct minor misalignments.
Essentially, dental veneers work to fix dental imperfections.
Veneers can be used to cover a portionaportion of a tooth (for example, where there is damage), one tooth, or a full set of teeth, depending on how many teeth are in need of cosmetic repair.
Getting dental veneers comes with a multitude of benefits, like transforming your smile and improving your confidence.
How do composite veneers work?
Composite veneers are made from a plastic-based resin.
Composite veneers are a cost-effective option that can be applied very quickly. Your cosmetic dentist will apply composite veneers by hand, which means the end result will depend on their experience and ability.
Wondering how long composite veneers last? The material used for composite veneers is slightly thinner and weaker than porcelain, so it only lasts up to five years.
Composite veneers are also susceptible to chipping and staining, and are not suitable for covering dark stains as they offer less coverage compared to porcelain veneers.
They will require more frequent repair and replacement compared to other alternatives.
How do porcelain veneers work?
Porcelain veneers are custom made from porcelain, and garner a more realistic result than composite veneers do. Their light-reflecting properties mimic that of natural teeth, and because they are tailor-made, they will fit your teeth and mouth perfectly.
Porcelain veneers also last significantly longer than their composite counterparts (up to 15 years), and are more resistant to staining and chipping.
The procedure for crafting and applying porcelain veneers is slightly different to the procedure for composite veneers. A professional must craft the porcelain veneers in a ceramics lab, so it takes a bit longer to receive porcelain veneers.
At Dental Boutique™, our artisan team handcrafts our signature VeneerMe porcelain veneers. We use only the highest-quality Italian porcelain material, and ensure each veneer is both aesthetically and functionally perfect.
Porcelain veneers are a more premium investment than composite veneers.
How do veneers work with missing teeth?
Due to the nature of how veneers work, they can only be attached to teeth. If you are looking to replace a missing tooth, we’d recommend considering dental implants.
Dental implants can be considered if you have one or more missing teeth. They can:
- Restore your bite and speech capabilities
- Reduce jaw atrophy by stimulating bone growth
- Avoid any crookedness from occuring due to teeth migrating
- Help avoid periodontal disease caused by food and bacteria caught in the gum
- Boost your confidence and help transform your smile.
Our expert team utilise cutting-edge technology to provide you with the highest-quality dental implants.
How do dental veneers work? The process.
The process of getting porcelain or composite veneers requires a few consultations. This helps to ensure that the results achieved are exactly to your liking. Let’s explore how dental veneers work below.
Designing your smile
The first step in the dental veneers process is to design your ideal smile. Your dentist will sit with you to discuss what your concerns are, what your ideal smile looks like, and what steps you’ll need to take.
You will then design your smile alongside your dentist, choosing the shade and shape of your dental veneers.
During this step, your dentist will also assess which type of dental veneers —composite or porcelain —, will best suit the results you’re looking to achieve.
If your dentist uses cutting-edge technology to design the perfect smile (like we do here at Dental Boutiqueâ„¢), they will then digitally render your smile makeover so that you can view your new smile on screen.
This allows you to adjust your dental veneers before any work is undertaken.
Trialling dental veneers
Once you’ve designed your ideal smile, you will then have the opportunity to trial temporary veneers.
Have you ever bought a shirt online that you loved, but once you tried it on, it wasn’t the best fit? Had you been able to try the shirt on before purchasing, you would have known the sleeves were too long, or the sides were too tight, and had an opportunity to find something a little more aligned with what you were looking for.
Temporary veneers allow you to try on your dream smile for size before you commit to them.
Temporary veneers allow you to get used to the texture, colour, shape and general mouthfeel of dental veneers and make any last minute adjustments before you lock in your new smile.
It’s important to remember that veneers are a permanent, life-long commitment, so we won’t rest until you’re 100% satisfied with the result.
If you’d like to learn more about temporary dental veneers and why they’re so important, you can read our informative article.
Dental Veneers Application
So, how are your new veneers applied?
The last step in the dental veneers process is the application.
Your teeth will be professionally cleaned to ensure your dental veneers have the best chance of adhering to your teeth.
Depending on the state of your natural teeth and the practices of your chosen dental clinic, a thin layer of your enamel may be shaved off to make room for the veneers and avoid a bulky appearance.
Once you and your dentist are satisfied with the look of your veneers, they will then apply your dental veneers to your teeth with a special bonding material that allows for long-lasting wear.
Then, your veneers will be cured, buffed and polished until your smile makeover is complete.
Who can receive dental veneers?
At Dental Boutique™, we are committed to ensuring every patient receives the right treatment at the right time.
While most people are eligible for dental veneers, we’ll still assess your teeth in an initial consultation.
In this assessment, we’ll look at the health of your teeth and gums and discuss your desired results. From here, we’ll confirm whether or not veneers will be right for you.
Once we confirm that dental veneers are suitable for you, you can begin embarking on your smile transformation.
If you’d like to learn more about the difference between cosmetic and general dentistry, you can read our article comparing the two.
How do veneers work? The takeaway
Dental veneers are a transformative solution for chipped, stained or misaligned teeth. Composite veneers are an affordable, shorter-term option, while porcelain veneers are durable, natural-looking and last for up to 15 years.
To recap on how veneers work, a thin layer of composite or porcelain is bonded directly onto your existing teeth with a professional grade glue. It is then buffed and polished until your desired look is achieved.
If you’re ready to press play on your new custom smile, our friendly team at Dental Boutiqueâ„¢ would love to walk you through the next steps.
