Dental veneers are one of the most popular forms of cosmetic dentistry but have you ever wondered how veneers work? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ll talk about how they work on teeth regarding appearance, costs, and your emotional wellbeing. So let’s get started.
Dental veneers – the types available
Before we dive into the ins and outs of how veneers work, you need to know that there are two types available – composite veneers and porcelain veneers. But while both provide protection and conceal hairline cracks, chips, and blemishes, they are, in reality, two different entities.
Composite veneers, for example, are made from composite resin – the same material that a dentist uses for white fillings. The resin is applied onto the tooth in layers to smooth over chips and cracks and cover blemishes. The material is hardened to match the existing tooth enamel.
On the other hand, porcelain veneers are custom-made shells designed to cover the whole front surface of the tooth. As the name suggests, porcelain veneers are made from dental porcelain and, once applied to the tooth, provide both protection and natural translucency.
Both composite veneers and porcelain dental veneers should last for several years or more – much more in the case of porcelain – and both are replaced easily, should the need arise in the future.
Ultimately, dental veneers are designed to restore your smile, giving it a beautiful, natural and long-lasting appearance.
Now we’ve talked about the types of dental veneers available, let’s talk about how veneers work on teeth. In other words, what conditions can dental veneers help with?
The cosmetic beauty of dental veneers
You need to remember that veneers are not a substitute for curing dental problems like crooked teeth or a gappy smile. Instead, veneers cover-up or cosmetically mask the appearance of an imperfect smile. This makes them the ideal solution if you have a slight tooth gap (diastema) or a slightly out of alignment tooth or intrinsic discolouration or blemishes that cannot be removed using professional teeth whitening.
With this in mind, porcelain and composite veneers can be used to change the size, shape, colour, and position of teeth when:
- Covering up slight gaps between teeth
- Covering chips and worn areas
- Resizing teeth, making them appear even
- Rotating uneven teeth, giving the appearance of being in better alignment
- Disguising badly blemished or stained teeth
In other words, veneers are a multi-purpose dental aid designed to instantly restore a tired smile and bring it back to life. That’s how veneers work!
How veneers work on a psychological level?
We’ve already seen how dental veneers work on a clinical level, but how do they work psychologically?
We already know that composite veneers and porcelain veneers can give the appearance of a perfect smile, and for many people, this can be quite a dramatic change. However, on an emotional and psychological level, being able to smile again without fear of embarrassment is a huge confidence boost – one that can improve overall mental health.
For many people, an imperfect smile causes a great deal of stress and anxiety. Some people feel they need to hide their smiles when stained, missing, or imperfect teeth are apparent. Some even avoid social gatherings altogether, so they aren’t placed in that situation. Naturally, this can have an impact on mental health.
Research has shown, however, that having a healthier-looking smile boosts self-confidence and increases happiness in life. People who wear their best smiles appear more confident, less anxious and enjoy life more. A perfect smile induces mood-boosting endorphins and can even alter your brain chemistry so that you feel better.
Of course, we’re not suggesting that dental veneers are the answer to stress, anxiety, and depression – far from it!
Instead, we are saying that dental veneers can do much more for you than restore an imperfect smile. On a base level, they make you feel good!
So how do dental veneers work in terms of cost?
The short answer is that they can be cheap or expensive depending upon the veneer type and the number you need.
Let’s take composite veneers, for example:
Because composites are easy to apply and require a less invasive approach, the cost works out relatively cheaply – at around $850 per tooth.
In contrast, porcelain veneers typically require several visits and a more invasive approach, so costs work out at around $2000 per tooth.
However, that’s only half of it.
What you also need to consider when choosing between composite veneers and porcelain veneers is their longevity.
Composite dental veneers typically last 4-6 years, while porcelain veneers last on average 10-15 years. And it isn’t unheard of for a dental veneer made from porcelain to last 20 years.
As you can see, knowing what dental veneers to choose should be more complex than simply considering the cost. You should also think about the longevity aspect and the psychological boost you’ll get from sporting a great-looking smile.
If you want to know more about how veneers work and are curious about cosmetically restoring your smile with dental veneers, we invite you to come and talk to the team at Beyond Infinity Dental. Dr Jack Yang and his team are experts in smile transformations and will help you to transform yours.
So, why choose us?
At Beyond Infinity, we use the latest technology to support your custom porcelain veneers, such as digital smile design software, giving you a virtual image of what your completed smile will look like before beginning treatment.
Ground-breaking ‘Infinity’ veneers, ensure that your dental veneers remain colour-stable for their entirety.
Finally, CEREC 3D design and milling technology means you get to walk out with your perfectly crafted, super thin, permanent veneers from day one. No temporaries are necessary. We know how to make your smile come to life.
Are you ready to make a change?
Call us on (02) 8806 3799 or visit our website and book a smile consultation today.
