Getting the Symmetrical Smile You’ve Always Wanted With Veneers
Veneers have become one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments in Australia for achieving a symmetrical smile. They say the secret to the perfect “Hollywood smile” is achieving symmetry whilst retaining a natural look. Veneers offer a great way to do this. They allow you to customise teeth sizing and colour to suit the rest of your mouth and your face.
At our Mona Vale dental practice, we have helped transform many patients’ smiles with veneers. Are you unhappy with your smile? In this article, we explain what veneers are, how they can enhance the appearance of your smile, and how we can help.
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are restorations that are bonded to the front surface of your teeth to improve the appearance of your smile. It’s important to note that veneers cannot realign your jaw or correct bite issues. They can in some cases though, disguise these issues.
Two types of veneers are often used. They are porcelain veneers and composite veneers, each of which has its own pros and cons.
Porcelain Veneers
These veneers are thin, custom-made porcelain shells that cap the front surface of your teeth. An individual, made-to-fit veneer is tailored to each tooth before being cemented into place. Your dentist will help you decide on the perfect design for your veneers including, shape, size and colour. You may even have a chance to see what your new smile will look like before you begin treatment.
The process for getting veneers usually requires a few appointments. Your dentist will need to prepare your teeth for your veneers. Once prepared your impressions will be taken to the lab for their fabrication. Once your veneers are ready, your dentist will ensure the perfect fit before bonding them into position.
Porcelain veneers are more costly in comparison to composite veneers but are durable, long-lasting and have high-resistance to staining. They are also exceptionally life-like in appearance with porcelain reflecting light in much the same way a natural tooth would. Taken care of, porcelain veneers can provide you with many years of a great smile.
Composite Veneers
These veneers involve a composite restorative material that gets applied layer by layer, directly onto the front surface of your teeth. Your teeth will still need preparation for your veneers. However, you don’t need impressions sent away for their manufacture. This means the process for getting composite veneers can be quicker. Often only one appointment is needed after your initial consultation.
Composite veneers are a cheaper option over their porcelain counterparts. They aren’t quite as durable though and don’t have the same aesthetics. They can be easily repaired in terms of chips, cracks and other minor damage though. These types of veneers are a great option for small touch-ups and when you only need a few teeth done.
Getting a Symmetrical Smile With Veneers
When getting veneers and thinking of your ideal smile, it’s best to start with what we call your “smile zone”. This refers to your teeth that are visible when you smile, and no two smile zones are the same!
Once you have identified how many teeth are showing, you need to choose, with the help of your dentist, which of them you wish to have veneers on to ensure a symmetrical smile. Our dentists normally recommend a minimum starting point of two or four, being your front two teeth and two teeth on either side of them.
The type and the specific number of veneers you may need will depend on your current smile and smile goals.
Are Veneers Right For Me?
The great news is, many people are suitable patients for veneers! If you suffer from one or more of the following smile issues, veneers may be a solution for you:
- Minor gaps between teeth
- Small chips and cracks in teeth
- Worn teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Minorly misaligned teeth
- Discoloured and stained teeth
Veneers must have healthy teeth on which to attach. So, dental issues such as tooth decay and periodontal disease will need treating first. If you suffer from Bruxism (teeth grinding), this cosmetic dentistry treatment may not be a suitable option for you. Whilst veneers are strong, the ongoing pressure from grinding and clenching can cause them to break or even detach.
Veneers Mona Vale
Is your smile getting you down? Beaches Dental Mona Vale can help you! Our dentists have extensive experience in transforming smiles with porcelain and composite veneers. We take the time to know you and understand the concerns you have with your smile.
We’re perfectionists, so we’re not happy with the design of your new smile until you are! All our crowns and veneers get made in local labs specialising in the highest quality of work. There is an art to matching your new teeth to your original surrounding teeth, in terms of shape and colour. Our labs are happy to take the time to meet with you to discuss the fine details of the colour and shape of your new smile.
A consultation with one of our dentists will help you determine if veneers are right for you, and if so, which type. We also have plenty of other cosmetic dentistry treatments available that we use to help our patients achieve a smile they’re proud of.
Are you ready for a symmetrical smile? Contact our friendly dental team today!
