What are they?  

Veneers are thin shells made of porcelain or composite resin that are custom made to fit over your teeth, providing a natural, attractive look.

Who can benefit?

People who have stained, chipped, or misshaped teeth.

How long does it take?

Usually, veneers require two visits to complete. The first to prepare the teeth and take an impression, and a second to fit the custom-made veneers.

How is it done?

A summary of the process is that your prosthodontist will first reshape a small amount of tooth surface to allow space for the veneer. An impression or digital scan of the tooth is then taken and sent to a dental lab, where the veneer is created. Once ready, the veneer is bonded to the tooth using a special cement. The veneer is then polished and adjusted as necessary to blend seamlessly with the surrounding teeth.

The process however is more complex than this and is here laid out in more detail:

Face and Smile Analysis

At Peninsula Dental Specialists, our primary step before initiating ceramic or porcelain veneer treatment is to diagnose all aesthetic and cosmetic concerns. This diagnostic process allows us to pinpoint areas for improvement, such as the proportion of your visible teeth and smile in relation to your gums, lips, and face.

Our team of experts at Peninsula Dental Specialists has undergone specialized postgraduate training in dento-facial and smile analysis. They possess an in-depth understanding of the art, science, and theory behind a truly radiant smile.

Tailored Treatment Plans

One of the greatest benefits, but also the most challenging aspect of a ceramic or porcelain veneer treatment, is its bespoke nature. Each veneer treatment at Peninsula Dental Specialists is uniquely crafted to provide long-lasting, functional results, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing smile tailored specifically for you.

The veneer treatment process begins with a detailed discussion of your desired outcome, which includes the specifics of your smile, such as tooth size, shape, proportions, and colour. A comprehensive assessment of your teeth follows to determine whether veneer treatment is the best solution for you.

In certain cases, simpler alternatives like composite fillings for minor modifications, tooth whitening, or orthodontic treatment may suffice, making veneer placement unnecessary. For severely damaged or worn teeth, other treatment options like ceramic crowns or dental bridges may be required.

The Veneer Journey

If a ceramic or porcelain veneer treatment is suitable for you, our clinicians at Peninsula Dental Specialists will collaborate with a dental technician to create a diagnostic wax-up or template of the proposed changes. This helps you visualize your proposed teeth setup or smile using dental casts through physical mock-ups or digital mock-up photos incorporating your facial photograph.

Based on the desired shape and size of your teeth, we will expertly remove a minimal amount of the tooth surface, only where necessary. In some cases, this can be a very conservative, painless procedure not requiring local anesthesia. While the veneers are being fabricated, temporary veneers mirroring the proposed changes will be cemented, allowing you to preview the proposed treatment outcome. Your feedback is vitally important for any further desired refinements.

Using impressions of your prepared tooth surface, clinical photographs, and both physical and digital analysis of tooth colour, the master dental technician will construct the final ceramic or porcelain veneers. We will choose the most resilient and aesthetically pleasing type of ceramic or porcelain material to ensure strength, durability, and a beautiful result.

During your follow-up visit, we will verify the final veneers for shape, size, and colour, and ensure that you are satisfied with the result before definitively bonding them in place with dental adhesive cement.

Veneer Care and Maintenance

With careful preparation and application by our clinicians at Peninsula Dental Specialists, and construction by a dental technician, veneers are designed to repair defects while preserving the underlying tooth functions and providing a realistic, natural tooth appearance for a lengthy period.

On a day-to-day basis, veneers require no special upkeep other than regular oral hygiene measures, such as brushing and flossing. Like any dental restoration, veneers may experience wear and tear over time. Dislodgment, wear, and minor chipping might occur when veneers are exposed to tooth grinding or biting hard objects. In extreme cases, veneers need to be replaced entirely, but usually, minor adjustments can correct any issues.

Costs & Pricing of Porcelain Veneers at Peninsula Dental Specialists

If you've been contemplating porcelain veneers, our experts at Peninsula Dental Specialists can provide you with professional advice based on your current oral health needs. Before starting any treatment, our team will give you a clear understanding of all veneer costs at our clinic, including porcelain or ceramic veneers. This transparency allows you to fully understand the costs associated with our treatments and procedures.