Composite and porcelain veneers are strong and durable, providing a long-lasting solution for those wanting a brighter, and more symmetrical smile. Often used as an alternative to crowns, veneers can enhance the appearance of teeth, offering a natural appearance, and can be customised to match the colour and shape of adjacent teeth.

Veneers can be the solution to a variety of dental problems including:

• Crooked, oddly shaped or misaligned teeth
• Crowded teeth
• Broken, chipped or worn teeth
• Gaps between teeth
• Permanently stained or discoloured teeth

Veneers are thin porcelain or composite resin facings that are bonded to the front surface of teeth. Veneers are customised to match the colour shape and size of adjacent teeth for each patient and have a translucency that gives a more natural look. They are between 0.3mm and 0.5mm thick which means they are minimally invasive and are often used as an alternative to crowns which cover the whole tooth.

Porcelain veneers should not stain or discolour, although certain food and drink may tarnish the pearly white appearance over time. Drinking coffee, tea, and red wine are the worst offenders.

Composite veneers can stain like natural teeth over time because they are made from resin which is porous, allowing pigments to be absorbed.

Veneers are extremely thin and, in most cases, require less of the natural tooth enamel to be removed when compared to crowns.

Following treatment, veneers require minimal maintenance which includes good oral hygiene practices and polishing from time to time if the veneers are made from composite resin. Polishing can usually be completed by your dentist during regular dental check-ups.

Composite and porcelain veneers can be applied to one or more teeth. Often it is not necessary to place veneers on all teeth as they are made to match the existing teeth. However, it is also common to have all visible teeth veneered to change the overall appearance of your smile.

It is best to schedule a consultation with a dentist who can evaluate your oral health, discuss your goals, and determine if veneers are a suitable treatment option for you.

Some dentists may offer composite bonding or dental bonding as a cheaper, and less invasive option for improving the appearance of teeth. Bonding is a form of adhesive dentistry that applies a tooth-coloured resin to the natural tooth. This is often used in cases where a tooth has a slight chip, is shorter or a different shape, misaligned, or discoloured.

At Pacific Smiles Dental, your dentist will likely suggest porcelain veneers as these will last longer, have a more appealing and natural appearance, and will have fewer complications over time.