Some patients may be looking to improve the aesthetic appearance of their teeth and smile. As part of a personalised smile makeover plan, Porcelain Veneers may be considered either on their own, or in combination with other dental treatments to help achieve a person’s aesthetic goals.
What are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are thin ceramic facings that cover the visible surface of your tooth, similar to how a contact lens or acrylic nails are applied. They are used to change the appearance of your teeth and are commonly used as part of a smile makeover. Porcelain veneers are custom made and individualised for your smile. They are permanently glued onto your teeth individually. As a result, they look and feel like healthy natural teeth.
What Issues can Veneers fix?
Porcelain veneers may be used to enhance the visible appearance of teeth, including aspects such as their shape, colour and surface characteristics. They may be considered in situations where teeth appear discoloured, worn, chipped, irregular in shape, or where there are minor misalignments, rotations or spaces between teeth.
Porcelain veneers are not suitable for every situation. A comprehensive clinical consultation is recommended to assess your ral health and discuss the most appropriate treatment options, including the potential risks and benefits.
Our dentists at Iconic Dentistry are registered general dentists with experience in cosmetic dental treatments. If you would like to explore whether veneers may be appropriate for you, we invite you to contact our team to arrange a consultation.
What can I expect from My Porcelain Veneers?
At Iconic Dentistry, we fully design your smile before starting the treatment. As a result, you will be able to see the end result, the difference between your current smile and your new one, before we commit to any permanent changes. You will even be able to test drive a mock-up version of your veneers in your mouth to see if you are fully happy with the concept.
There is no guesswork and no surprises. Your result will be exactly as you expect it to be because you will have designed it together with you. Your porcelain veneers are entirely bespoke and individualised just for you. So your smile will be as white as you like them to be, as characterised as you like them to be; as natural as you want. Your veneers will look and feel like they belong to you.
Will My Smile Look Real & Natural?
Your smile will look absolutely real and natural, like it belongs to you. At Iconic Dentistry, we design your smile from a global facial perspective taking into account your dynamic smile: the way you talk, the way you laugh, the way you smile, and the way your teeth need to work together when you’re eating – all of the details that matter.
Iconic Dentistry porcelain veneers are designed with dynamic movements in mind and lighting – how the light reflects from your smile under different conditions. The texture, colour, shade, translucency, and details all come together to give you a real and natural look. We can design your smile to any brightness level you like and keep it looking natural. This means your smile will look incredible whether you are taking a selfie, having a professional photo shoot, or simply hanging with your friends and family.
What Colour, Shape, and Size should I Get?
The colour, shape, and size of the veneers will be determined during the consultation and smile design process. This will depend on your facial harmony – how the teeth sit on your face during smile, speech and chewing – and how it all balances with the rest of your facial structure. The colour, size and shape will be constantly reviewed, reassessed, and refined throughout the entire process of creating your veneers. And if you’re not fully happy at the time of final insert, we are happy to repeat and revise as much as needed to give you your perfect smile. In short, we got you covered.
How Many Teeth do I need to do?
The number of teeth needed to be treated with veneers depends on each individual person. It depends on what the current teeth are like, and what we’d like to achieve as an end goal. The more teeth that receive veneers, the greater the change. Some people have as little as 1 veneer, whilst others need up to 24. We generally recommend veneers to be placed in bilateral pairs to maintain symmetry, balance, and visual optics. Most smile transformations typically require 8 to 10 veneers.
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Porcelain Veneers at Iconic Dentistry – Our Difference
- Our Iconic Dentistry clinicians and staff understand that getting veneers is quite an emotional experience. We are honoured that you have chosen to take this journey with us, and we endeavour to make your experience as amazing as possible. We look after you right from the beginning so that you can have the best Iconic Experience.
- Our expertise in Smile makeovers and Porcelain veneers is well recognised. Did you know that the dentists at Iconic Dentistry are trained by some of the world’s most renowned universities and have post-graduate qualifications in Aesthetic Dentistry? In fact, some of our clinicians are internationally known and are involved in training the next generation of cosmetic dentists worldwide. This is what we do and what we are known for. You are in great hands at Iconic Dentistry and know you’re receiving world-class treatment in a multi-award-winning clinic.
- It goes without saying that only the best is used for your Porcelain Veneers at Iconic Dentistry. Our clinicians are extremely thorough, the treatment is highly detailed, and the entire procedure is performed with ultimate precision. The ceramic used is completely handcrafted individually for you. The only person that touches your porcelain veneers are the dentists that create your new smile. There is no outsourcing to external labs. No surprises. No compromise. Ever.
Are Veneers a Permanent Solution?
Porcelain Veneers are considered a permanent solution. Once completed, your smile will be finalised. Veneers generally do not change in colour. They also don’t wear down to a noticeable degree as they are extremely durable. Veneers are permanent in the sense that: once placed, your teeth cannot be reverted back to their original form (even if the veneers are completely prepless). For this reason, it is important to choose your clinic and dentist based on: quality of work, experience, qualification and trust. And if you have veneers at Iconic Dentistry, you can trust that you will be in the very best of hands.
Are My Teeth Shaved Down To Stumps?
Not on our watch. This is the reason you should choose well experienced and highly qualified dentists to do your veneers. Veneers need to be a minimum thickness of around 0.3 – 0.5mm. When we design your veneers, we design the ideal position of your new teeth relative to your smile and facial movements. Some veneers need a slight preparation of the teeth whilst others can be done almost completely “prepless”. All of this is determined digitally and diagnostically beforehand. The end result is ceramic of uniform thickness for the best aesthetics whilst protecting the biology of your teeth. This takes a lot of precision and skill. Trust your smile with us at Iconic Dentistry.
How Long will Porcelain Veneers Last?
Porcelain veneers can last from 7 to 20 years. There are many factors that determine how long veneers last for. Some people have a more complex bite, some people have a heavy biting force, or grind their teeth in their sleep. These all affect the life of the veneers. We generally recommend protective night guards to help keep your veneers at their best.
Regular dental visits are important to keep the gums and underlying natural tooth healthy as these provide the support and foundations to your veneers. You Iconic Dentist will make individualised recommendations to help maximise the life of your veneers as well as maintenance schedules. Usually this is 6 monthly.
Porcelain Veneers vs Dental Crowns
Porcelain veneers visually look identical to dental crowns in your smile. The difference between a veneer and a crown is that whilst a veneer covers the facial surface of the tooth only, a crown covers the back portion as well. The decision to choose a veneer or crown depends on the foundations of the tooth, and the way you bite together. This is a clinical decision, and your dentist will advise what is most appropriate for your tooth. Often in a smile makeover, there is a combination of crowns and veneers used.
Are There Alternatives to Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are a treatment modality used to achieve a particular goal. At Iconic Dentistry, our treatment planning is results based. That means we work out the end point before we decide on which approach is best. This may mean Porcelain veneers, but it may also mean any number of alternate treatments. These include composite veneers, teeth whitening, composite bonding, realignment of teeth, periodontal plastic surgery and much more. A thorough aesthetic analysis with your Iconic dentist will help to work out what is the best approach for you to achieve your specific goals.
What is the Process and Visits?
Visit 1
Cosmetic Consult.
This is where our aesthetic dentist works out with you what your cosmetic goals are. What would you like to achieve for your smile? Don’t worry if you have no idea – we’ll walk you through it. From here we take all the diagnostic information we need to make sure we treatment plan correctly. Digital records are taken in the form of: photos, x-rays and digital 3D scans. Allow 50 minutes for this visit.
Visit 2
Treatment Planning.
In this visit we go through the treatment options, and what is required to achieve your aesthetic goals. We show you models, mock-ups and photos to help you visualise the end result. If there is a dramatic change, we can even temporarily place veneers on your teeth for a trial smile to see what it all looks like. Once you are happy with the intended direction, we can move forward to performing the treatment. If there is anything you are unsure of, we can plan further or discuss alternatives. Allow 50 minutes for this visit.
Visit 3
Veneer preps.
This is where the teeth are prepared to receive the final veneers. From here you will receive temporary veneers in the shape of the final veneers. This is where we will test the veneers further to ensure they fit well with your smile dynamics, aesthetics and function. This is a longer visit. The exact time depends on the number of veneers to be completed and the state of the teeth. If needed, this appointment may be completed under sedation (sleep dentistry).
Visit 4
Smile Design.
We review your temporary veneers to see how they have integrated with your smile. From here we can place additional characteristics and make minor changes to ensure the details are just right for you. We also demonstrate and refine the final veneers on a digital format where we can adjust things until your smile is just right. Here we also confirm the shade and optical properties for your veneers. Allow 40 minutes for this visit.
Visit 5
Insert.
Everything comes together here. This is the day you are fitted with your final veneers. Your smile transformation comes to life here. This is a longer visit, and likewise the time depends on the number of veneers to be inserted.
Visit 6
Review.
We review your veneers to make sure everything is just right and make sure you know how to look after your new smile.
Is The Process Painful?
The process to getting porcelain veneers is an exciting journey. It will give you a new smile, and every effort will be taken to give you the look that you want. The procedures themselves are not painful. All treatment is performed under local anaesthetics, so you will be numb during the procedure and won’t feel a thing. If you are an anxious patient, we also have the option of sleep dentistry – performing the treatment whilst you are asleep.
How Long Does It Take?
For most people the process from the initial cosmetic consult to receiving the final veneers can take around 1-2 months depending on availability of appointments. However, if time is critical it is possible to expedite the process and have your porcelain veneers completed in as little as a 2 weeks.
How much do Veneers cost?
Every smile is unique, so the overall investment of your smile with porcelain veneers depends on your individual needs. Most patients walk away with 8-10 beautiful new veneers to create their new smile. Individual porcelain veneers are priced from $2000 per tooth. The treatment will likely require some diagnostics fees. Depending on the complexity of your smile sometimes adjunctive treatments are required such as gum lifts, teeth whitening, or minor realignment of the teeth. These will be quoted after we see you for a consult. Interest free payment plans are available from $80/week, which can encompass the entire treatment.
Looking After Your Porcelain Veneers
Your Porcelain Veneers are beautiful works of art that need to be looked after to ensure they are at their best for many years to come. So how do you look after porcelain veneers to get the most life out of them? Well it’s a joint effort between you and your dentist.
Good oral hygiene is extremely important for your veneers. Though the veneers are extremely smooth and feel very clean, it is important that you continue to brush your teeth (at least) twice daily, and floss daily. This prevents stains from developing where the veneers bond onto the teeth. It also helps prevent decay from developing under your veneers – yes this can happen if you don’t look after your teeth!
You may also be issued with a device (such as a splint or retainer) to be used at night. If you are, it is important that you follow the instructions given by your dentist as this will help to protect your veneers. If teeth whitening is part of your treatment at Iconic Dentistry, please ensure you follow the whitening maintenance protocol to make sure everything looks their best.
From here, it’s regular dental maintenance of your teeth and veneers. Please ensure that you come for your regular 6 monthly visits. Your dentist will likely take x-rays of your veneers periodically to make sure all is sound underneath.
Brighten Your Smile at Iconic Dentistry
If veneers sound like a suitable option for you, please book an appointment at Iconic Dentistry today. Our award-winning South Perth clinic offers high-quality service, and with our luxurious lobby, you’ll feel like you’re at a 5-star hotel. To book with us, simply click on the “book now” button or give us a call on 08 9474 3947.
