Dental Veneers: What You Need to Know
November 25, 2020
Dental Veneers are able to mask tooth decay, chipped, crooked, or stained teeth. See what types of Veneers exist and which one would be best for you.
Composite veneers require no drilling and no injection for instantly transforming your smile!
If you’re looking for a non-prep alternative to traditional veneer treatment, then Composite Veneers are the perfect treatment for you. Providing coverage over the whole tooth, Composite Veneers are used to give a wider, whiter and more symmetrical smile.
Composite Veneers are a non-invasive, pain free treatment using composite resin material cured by a special blue light, you get same day results and it’s all done in one appointment.
Our skilled cosmetic dentist will apply a thin coat of composite resin to your teeth. We can sculpt the resin as it hardens so that it evenly covers and fills the damaged areas. The composite is meticulously matched to the natural shade of your teeth. The results will look so natural that even you may not be able to tell which teeth you’ve had work on. When your dental bonding treatment at ArtSmiles Cosmetic Dentistry is complete, you will be able to smile confidently and easily.
Book a Free Veneers Consultation Today!
Want to find out about how ArtSmiles can help you achieve your perfect smile? Come for a free consultation to find out.
or call us on (07) 5588 3677
What Are Composite Veneers?
In dentistry, placement of a thin layer of any material over a tooth is referred to as Dental Veneers or laminates. Composite veneers, otherwise known as composite bondings, are a layer of resin base material that is directly applied to the tooth.
Composite veneers or dental bondings are considered to be a less invasive cosmetic dentistry procedure to regain your attractive smile.
Composite veneers are applied directly onto a patient’s tooth in one visit without shaving down any tooth tissue, as opposed to being made in a laboratory like porcelain veneers. Its is effective in changing the colour, shape, and size of a tooth very quickly.
They can be used in certain situations where there is discolouration or chipping of teeth, where you need to correct slight misalignments and achieve a straighter look.
Designing Your Beautiful Veneers
Careful planning is provided along with extensive discussions to understand our patients expectations. We work closely with our dental technicians who fabricate the veneers following to the approved smile design. Our patients have the opportunity of visualizing what the veneers could look like and approve the appearance before any irreversible treatment is carried out. We use wax ups on the models of the teeth which are then transferred to the mouth with a mock up made with temporary material that allows us and most importantly the patient, to see what the ideal size, shape and position is necessary. It also allows us to check the bite and make sure the final veneers need minimal adjustments.
Who Can Have Composite Veneers?
Almost any person. They can be used to:
- Improve the looks and appearance of the teeth.
- To protect the surface of the teeth.
- Change the colour of the teeth, usually a whiter shade.
- To make teeth appear more straight and aligned.
- To close gaps between teeth or make them larger in size.
- To repair any chipped or broken section of a tooth.
Composite VS Porcelain Veneers
What is the Difference?
There are as many differences as similarities between resin composite veneers and porcelain veneers. Determining which type of veneer is right for you comes down to multiple different factors.
Both types basically serve the same purpose and involve placing tooth-coloured material over the front surface of the tooth to improve its shape.
Both are used to deal with dull, discoloured, chipped, cracked, short or uneven teeth. If any one or more of these are affecting you, your smile or your confidence, veneers are obviously the best and most common solution.
The differences are due to the quality, procedure, durability and cost of the two different materials.
Quality
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of porcelain adhered to the outer-surface of the tooth. Composite veneers are engineered resin affixed to the outer-surface. Both are made to match your teeth (or whiten) and improve your overall smile.
Porcelain veneers are much stronger and more durable than composite resin veneers. They’re extremely thin (0.6mm), so they feel like real teeth in your month. The smooth, impervious ceramic used in porcelain veneers also resists staining from cigarettes or coffee.
With dental porcelain veneers, your teeth reconstruction is so close to natural in terms of their shape, colour, and texture, that only your dentist can tell the difference between them and your natural teeth.
Procedure
The quicker of the two dental veneers to be applied to the teeth are composite veneers. This is because they can be done chairside in the same visit. Dr. Cristian Dunker will match the resin to the colour, size, and shape of your desired new smile. The resin is added to your teeth, cured and then polished. You can walk out the same day with a new smile!
Porcelain veneers typically take at least two visits. Dr. Cristian will remove a very thin layer of your teeth, take an impression of the teeth receiving the veneers and send the mould out to a lab to be hand crafted. While you are waiting on your veneers to be fabricated you can wear temporary veneers. A second visit will fit them to check for colour match and shape, and if you’re happy, they will be bonded to complete the process.
Durability
With proper care, porcelain veneers should last 10-15 years. Composite veneers, on the other hand, typically last 5-8 years. While porcelain is fragile, once bonded to a healthy tooth it is extremely durable. Composite is durable but not as strong as porcelain and is more prone to chipping.
However, if damage were to happen to a porcelain veneer, it would have to be replaced, it cannot be repaired. If you chip a composite veneer, you can repair it.
Cost
Porcelain veneers are more expensive than composite initially. The placement of porcelain takes more time, expertise and resources. The dental lab’s dentists work with are chosen very carefully and cost money to fabricate restorations. If you break down costs by how often you would have to replace/repair composite verse porcelain though, the cost could come out even over time.
Choosing between composite and porcelain veneers
At the end of the day, the only way to determine whether a composite or porcelain veneer solution is right for you is to come for a free consultation and discuss about your aesthetic goals and to weigh your personal considerations.
In other words, what is most important to you? If you’re looking for the most cost-effective solution, then a composite veneers treatment plan will probably be a good fit. However, if you have a severe aesthetic concern, or you’re looking for the most natural and durable treatment solution, then porcelain veneers will give you a fantastic result.
Regardless of which material you opt for in the end, you can rest assured that both offer fantastic smile enhancement.
Porcelain Veneers Process
1. Initial Complimentary Consultation
If you’re considering porcelain veneers, the first step is to come in for a complimentary consultation with Dr. Cristian Dunker at his office in Gold Coast, Queensland. Your initial consultation will be free, consisting of an avaliation of your whole mouth looks and functions as a whole. Before we plan your dental veneers, we want to know everything about the health and aesthetics of your smile — and most importantly, what you want to achieve so that we can help you get there.
We’ll show you pictures of amazing smiles to see what appeals to you and we’ll offer guidance for which smile might best match the shape and contours of your face. You’ll see a myriad of examples of our own cosmetic dentistry work.
Dr. Dunker will listen to your concerns, discuss your situation and help you select the best possible way in which you can get the changes you want. You’ll receive a personalised treatment plan for best achieving your goals and we’ll walk you through the details. Your treatment plan will be carefully formulated to make sure that your smile transformation is exactly what you want it to be.
2. First Trial Smile
After having your consultation to assess your suitability, a first trial smile can be done. A trial smile is a process of making the changes to your teeth on a cast model of them first. Based on the shape and design you wish to have for your composite veneers and teeth, the dentist makes veneers on the cast model of your teeth. it is a mock build up of the composite veneers to allow you to see what shape teeth you will end up with.
This is done by taking an impression of your teeth and sending it to the lab. Based on your requests and expectations, the modifications are made to your teeth on the cast model by our experienced dentists.
In the meantime, you proceed with the whitening of your teeth if you have decided to whiten your teeth before the composite veneers are done. When you are happy with the whitening result, the composite veneers are directly added to your teeth, shaped, contoured and polished.
Composite Veneers Warranty
Standard
Warranty
1 Year Warranty
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Breaking, chipping, stain or wear - repair or replace at no extra charge
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Debonding of veneer - recement or replace at no extra charge
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Mild sensitivity - 1 session of lasertherapy
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Repair of higher veneer - 1 session occlusal adjustment
Extended Warranty
ArtSmiles Club
2 Years Warranty
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Breaking, chipping, stain or wear - repair or replace at no extra charge
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Debonding of veneer - recement or replace at no extra charge
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Mild sensitivity - up to 3 sessions of lasertherapy
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Repair of higher veneer - 2 session occlusal adjustment
Best Value
Composite Veneers Price List
Looking for pricing? Fill out the form below to get our 2023 composite veneers price list.
Want extended warranty, discounts on services and easy access to high-quality dental care?
Frequently Asked Questions About Composite Veneers
What are Composite Veneers?
Composite Veneers are the non-prep alternative to Porcelain Veneers. They provide a cosmetic smile makeover without any changes or damage to the natural teeth and this treatment is really popular amongst our younger patients.
If you’re unhappy with your smile and considering a change but you don’t want the commitment of permanent veneers, this is the perfect option for you. Composite is used to coat the entire tooth to create a new and more aesthetically pleasing smile.
Composite Veneers are perfect for patients who have previously completed orthodontic treatment or have naturally straight teeth and are looking to perfect and enhance their existing teeth. During your consultation with one of our cosmetic dentists, we’ll discuss your eligibility and which Composite Veneer option would be best for you.
What are composite veneers made of?
These veneers are made from white filling material, this resin based material and is applied as a thin layer directly to the tooth.
Problems that Composite Veneers Can Fix
Composite veneers can be used to fix the following problems:
- Discoloured and stained teeth
- Worn-down teeth
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Misaligned, irregular shaped or uneven teeth
- Teeth with gaps
Far too often, people will try to avoid seeking professional dental treatment and live with damaged or crooked teeth. By avoiding treatment, people are only increasing the chance of pain or infection. A chipped tooth can risk exposing the inside of the tooth, causing pain when eating, drinking or biting down on something.
By investing in a dental veneer treatment, our clinical team can help you change the size, shape and shade of your teeth for your specific needs.
What are the advantages of Composite Veneers?
- Non-Prep Alternative to traditional veneer treatment
- Same day results
- No needles or injections
- Significantly improves look and colour
- Affordable
What Happens During the Composite Veneer Process?
At ArtSmiles, our experts perform an initial detailed consultation and examination to discuss your objectives and determine if the composite veneers treatment is suitable for you.
After that, dental veneers are created to match the colour, size, and shape of your desired new smile.
To bond your composite veneers, your dentist will clean the surface of your tooth and etch it slightly to ensure that the veneer bonds securely. They will then dry your tooth to remove excess moisture, and will then apply the bonding agent (dental cement and resin). Once your tooth is ready, your dentist will apply the composite material in layers. Skilfully sculpting your tooth into shape, the dentist will remove any additional dental composite, before the final smoothing and polishing of your tooth.
Are composite veneers difficult to care for?
No, you can care for your veneer as you care for your teeth, with routine brushing and flossing and regular trips to the dentist to check for any issues with fit or construction.
How much do composite veneers cost?
In Australia, the cost of each Ceramic Veneer varies from $300 to $800.
The cost of getting veneers can vary depending on the number of veneers, scale of treatment required as well as the type of veneers that you get. Our experts will recommend a treatment option best suited to you and give you an estimate of the price and payment options during your free consultation visit.
We offer a number of dental financing options that enable you to pay over time. This way, you can start enjoying your veneers as soon as they are placed. We accept a wide range of payment methods and have plenty of flexible pay later financial options including Afterpay, TLC, Humm and Access My Super.
Porcelain Veneers VS. Composite Veneers
What are the Advantages of composite veneers ?
- Composite veneers can be accomplished in a single visit. Porcelain veneers are fabricated in a dental laboratory and therefore require at least two visits.
- While this is not a general rule, composite veneers need less tooth preparation.
- Composite veneers are more affordable; the cost is usually about half that of porcelain veneers.
What are the Disadvantages of composite veneers ?
- Composite veneers are not as durable as porcelain veneers and more maintenance is required as they are more likely to chip.
- Composite veneers tend to stain more easily (you might consider this especially if you smoke or drink coffee or red wine). Here is the reason: composite is a porous resin while porcelain is glazed and impervious.
What are the Advantages of porcelain veneers ?
- Porcelain has a translucent, light-reflective quality similar to tooth enamel; as a result, it can mimic natural teeth in a way which is not possible to achieve with any other dental material.
- Porcelain is colour stable because there is a glaze placed on the outside which makes it extremely resistant to staining.
- Porcelain veneers are very durable and they rarely chip.
What are the Disadvantages of porcelain veneers ?
- Porcelain veneers are fabricated in a dental laboratory and therefore require at least two visits.
- Porcelain veneers are more expensive than composite veneers as their placement requires more time, expertise and resources.
- Porcelain veneers cannot be repaired. If they break, porcelain veneers must be replaced.
How Long Do Composite Veneers Last?
They’re permanent, but they’re not forever. Bonding cement is a substance that microscopically creates bridges from your real tooth to the veneer material so that it adheres to your tooth and becomes one. After the bonding cement is in place and the veneer is on your tooth, the bonding cement is cured with a tiny UV light to secure everything in place.
Porcelain veneers typically last between 10 and 15 years, and Composite veneers last around 5 to 7 years. Taking certain precautions can help make sure that you get the longest lifespan out of them possible.
Follow these six simple tips to make your veneers last:
- Schedule semi-annual checkups and cleanings with your dentist.
- Don’t chew on hard objects like pens, ice, or your finger nails.
- Never use your teeth to open packaging or condiment packages.
- Try not to chew with your front teeth. Eat harder foods with your back teeth only; cut up hard foods like chocolate bars so that this is possible.
- If you grind or clench your teeth at night, get a splint or retainer to protect your veneers.
- If playing sports, you must wear a mouth guard.
Are there any risks?
Composite veneers can wear under pressure, so if you are prone to grinding your teeth, you might want to protect them while you sleep. As they are also not as stain resistant as natural teeth or porcelain, avoiding drinks or food that can exacerbate staining as well as regular polishing is advised.
Can composite veneers be put on crooked teeth?
Veneers can be applied to crooked or misaligned teeth to improve alignment or reduce protrusion. Using veneers to correct this is becoming more popular, as it takes only a matter of days from the start of the procedure to the end.
Do composite veneers look real?
Dr. Cristian Dunker will make every effort to ensure your teeth look as natural as possible. In most cases, it would take a keen eye to identify veneers of any composition.
Can Veneers be an alternative to braces?
The simple answer is “yes and no”. Braces are designed to move your teeth into place and correct bite and jaw problems. There are certain situations that can be handled with braces that cannot easily be corrected with veneers. However, in many cases where you are dealing with crooked teeth or missing teeth, veneers and dental implants can provide a much faster and more lasting treatment option. Dr. Cristian Dunker regularly helps patients who need a rapid alternative to braces, and he can help you examine your options as a free consultation.
Where to get composite veneers?
You can get composite veneers at ArtSmiles Cosmetic Dentistry on the Gold Coast. Please schedule a free appointment to discuss your case with our dentists.
Are composite veneers strong?
Composite veneers are strong and do not break easily. Composite veneers can chip for a variety of reasons, most commonly biting and chewing on hard food or grinding and clenching teeth. But even if they do break, they are usually easily repaired in one visit. This is not the case with porcelain veneers.
Are composite veneers reversible?
Composite veneers are considered to be a reversible treatment option because there is no drilling involved.
Can composite veneers be whitened?
Composite veneers cannot be whitened. But this is true with any form of dental restorations including porcelain veneers. We suggest that the patient whitens their teeth first and then has the composite veneers placed. Then the colour of the veneers can then be matched to the whitened teeth.
About Dr Cristian Dunker
Dr. Cristian Dunker is a trusted Gold Coast Cosmetic Dentist, who has been working with Cosmetic Dentistry and creating beautiful smile makeovers for years. With his skills and up to date approach, the costs and duration of your treatment is greatly reduced while achieving aesthetically appealing, natural-looking, and functional results.
He has perfected the art of Cosmetic Dentistry to ensure that the smile transformation is comfortable, rapid and precisely crafted to give you a smile that is perfectly suited to your face and your personality.
Latests Articles About Dental Veneers
Book a Free Veneers Consultation Today!
Want to find out about how ArtSmiles can help you achieve your perfect smile? Come for a free consultation to find out.
or call us on (07) 5588 3677