Do you avoid smiling because you don’t like the look of your teeth?
You can smile confidently with natural looking porcelain veneers.
What are porcelain veneers?
Veneers are wafer-thin, custom-made ceramic restorations that are bonded to the front surface of one tooth or multiple teeth. Porcelain veneers are hand-made and the treatment of choice in creating beautiful smiles.
The finely crafted veneers have similar resilience and strength to your natural enamel. Porcelain veneers have a natural tooth-like appearance because they transmit light. In the last few years, porcelain teeth veneers have become an aesthetic, strong and durable state-of-the-art cosmetic solution for many people. They’re resistant to staining and when cared for properly, will remain youthful and strong for many years to come.
Porcelain teeth veneers can be used to:
- Restore your chipped or worn down teeth
- Improve the shade of your discoloured teeth
- Improve the shape of your teeth
- Close gaps between your teeth
- Create the appearance of well-aligned straight teeth
What important factors should I consider before choosing the dentist for veneers?
Before you choose a dentist for your veneers, consider the following:
- Is there clear communication between you and the dentist? We use a “mock-up” to better understand your expectations and opinions. To achieve your desired outcome, this “smile design” process is critical.
- Has the dentist got experience in delivering cosmetic procedures with meticulous technique and precision?
- Does the ceramic technician have the artistry and attention to detail to create natural looking veneers with a superior and precise fit?
Dr David Wing has over 25 years of experience in cosmetic dentistry. He’s considered one of the most trusted Sydney dentists for honest and high-quality work. Dr Wing has a large following of loyal patients who’ve been very happy with treatment provided by him over the years.
What’s involved in getting teeth veneers?
Step 1: Your diagnosis and smile design – this usually takes 2 appointments.
We check your teeth and gums to make sure they’re healthy and then assess whether your teeth are suitable for veneers. It’s important to ascertain why you need teeth veneers. They may be appropriate if you’ve got:
- Worn teeth,
- Broken teeth,
- Gaps between your teeth or
- Congenitally stained teeth.
To assist with your smile design, we take X-rays and photos and make moulds of your teeth. At this stage it’s important to let us know what your expectations are for your new teeth.
Step 2: Tooth preparation – this process takes 1 appointment.
It’s important to know that most porcelain veneers require some removal of tooth structure (tooth preparation). After anaesthetizing your teeth, we prepare them by carefully removing a small amount of tooth (approx. 0.3-0.5mm) that is about the thickness of the porcelain veneer.
Moulds of the teeth are then taken and sent to the laboratory for fabrication of your new veneers. Our ceramist handcrafts your veneers as per your smile design and tooth preparation. This process usually takes 3 weeks. While you wait for the new veneers to arrive, we insert temporary veneers to protect your teeth.
To ensure all safety standards are met and quality and ongoing support is guaranteed, we only use local and Australia based ceramists and laboratories.
Step 3: Bonding the veneers: This process takes 1 appointment
Before your final appointment, Dr Wing checks the finely crafted porcelain veneers under magnification for technical standards and to ensure the finish of the veneers are of the highest quality.
At your final appointment, we trial the veneers in your mouth without permanently gluing them. We also check for precision fit and harmony with your natural teeth as per your smile design.
Once we’re both happy with the result, your tooth surface and the veneers are cleaned and etched. Using special adhesive agents, the veneers are carefully bonded on to the tooth surface.
Then we use a high intensity blue light to harden the bonding process between your teeth and veneers. Within a few minutes the veneers are ready, bonded on your teeth permanently.
Some more photos will be taken at this stage with after-care instructions.
How do I care for my porcelain teeth veneers?
Looking after your new tooth veneers is no different to looking after your natural teeth. Good oral hygiene, regular check-ups and professional clean will prolong the life of them.
Porcelain veneers have a clear glaze over the surface that is resistant to stain. We suggest that you avoid abrasive products on your veneers, including some whitening toothpastes.
Some patients have habitual grinding of teeth (bruxism) and splint therapy is recommended in this case to prevent further wear of the natural teeth as well as the new veneers.
