My recent experience with dental veneers is one worth sharing.
I am passionate about helping people create a smile they love.
There is something very satisfying about seeing a personβs confidence grow because they feel good about their smile.
I feel a person’s smile is the gateway to their heart. Without good teeth, itβs not easy to feel confident about your smile.
Dental veneers help people achieve a smile they love.
Three ladies Iβve treated recently are all now walking around with big smiles.
Why?
Because we came up with a dental veneer treatment solution they didnβt expect.
Before I share more about their stories though, letβs get clear about some important dental veneer facts.
Whatβs a dental veneer?
A dental veneer – or laminate as itβs sometimes called – is a thin covering applied to the front surface of a tooth.
This is done to modify its shape or colour.
The form of the veneer, which is molded to the tooth, also helps dramatically improve its appearance.
Itβs a bit like the way an acrylic nail transforms a personβs natural fingernail.
Dental veneers can be applied to one or more teeth individually.
They are most commonly used for front teeth, which are the most visible.
Dental veneers can also enhance the appearance of discoloured teeth.
If this is the reason you elect to have a dental veneer, bear in mind whitening may be recommended as a first step.
Dental veneers are also beneficial for teeth that donβt quite line up.
They can be used to address misshapen, chipped, and worn teeth too, as well as being a solution for teeth with gaps.
What are dental veneers made of?
When most people think of dental veneers, they think porcelain.
And with good reason.
Porcelain veneers are great.
They are custom-made outside the mouth (indirect veneers), using a precise mould of the teeth.
I love the outcome porcelain veneers achieve, but there are drawbacks.
Costs can get up there, particularly if youβre after more than one veneer.
They also have a biological impact on the teeth because of the preparation that needs to be done.
Which brings me to the recent experiences I want to share with you.
Could composite resin dental veneers be a solution for you?
Each of the ladies I treated recently for dental veneers opted for veneers made with composite resin.
And each one came in thinking porcelain veneers were their only option.
Patient one had four damaged front teeth.
These had been restored previously.
Sheβd been told the next time her teeth broke sheβd need porcelain veneers.
But this was only partly true.
This woman wasnβt told she had other options.
While porcelain veneers were definitely one option, I knew I could be more conservative and work with composite resin.
Now, composite resin is not as strong or hard as porcelain. It does stain more easily and does not have the longevity of porcelain.
BUT, itβs still a very good option when used appropriately.
Hereβs how composite dental veneers worked for three patients.
Patient 1 discovered there were alternatives to porcelain veneers
Patient 1 wanted four teeth treated with porcelain veneers.
The problem was, she couldnβt afford to do all four at the same time.
As a dentist who truly cares about the patient outcome, I faced a real dilemma.
Do I create a treatment plan based on all four teeth, knowing that she would be having them done at the same time?
Ultimately, I decided to do a treatment plan based on composite resin veneers.
Approach her situation this way had many benefits to her.
It allowed me to prepare a mock up of what the veneers would look like.
Effectively a prototype, it allowed this patient to envisage her βfutureβ teeth
Iβm pleased to report this woman was delighted; not just with the mock up, but with the final product.
She achieved a result comparable to porcelain veneers that she loved.
Patient 2 learned how composite veneers are a viable alternative to porcelain
Patient 2 faced a similar scenario.
She had one displaced tooth that was inside her arch.
It was unsightly and she just wanted to feel better about her smile.
In the same way that I worked with Patient 1, I prepared a mock-up so she could see what her tooth would look like when it was done.
The bonus – as with all composite resin veneers – is that she could flick the mock-up on and off her tooth.
This is a distinct advantage to porcelain veneers.
Patient 2 was able to take her mock-up home and show her partner.
She could really consider what would suit her best before she made the investment.
When she did make her decision, she opted to have six of her teeth done!
Having practised for many years, I find this approach is very effective.
Once people are engaged in the process this way, they realise there is more they can do to alter their smile.
Without wanting to sound clichΓ©d, they become empowered.
Patient 3 discovered the benefits of composite resin
While Patients 1 and 2 are examples of direct composite veneers, Patient 3 faced a slightly different scenario.
Unhappy with the crowns on her front teeth, this lady had lost confidence in dentists.
By the time she came to see me, she was confused and disillusioned.
Her goal from treatment?
Well, it wasnβt that difficult. She was really just after whiter teeth.
To get the outcome she wanted, I approached her situation in the same way.
Firstly, we did temporaries so she could see how theyβd look.
Being able to see them on her, rather than just in a computer model, made a huge difference.
While she was happy with the effect, she still wasnβt completely clear about what she wanted.
Next, I prepared composite resin mock-ups for her crowns. This allowed her to decide if she wanted one, two or six done.
Because she could see how her teeth would look, she realised there was much more she could do,
She finally made a decision that saw her make lots of changes to the look of her teeth.
This is ironic. Initially, sheβd been adamant nothing would change.
However, when she saw the possibilities, she said You go for it!*
What does all this mean for your decision about dental veneers?
I would encourage anyone considering dental veneers to ensure they explore all the options.
There is no doubt that porcelain veneers are a premium solution. If it makes sense practically and financially, then this may be your first choice.
However, dental veneers made with composite resin are an excellent alternative.
They are less expensive and can be done in a single visit with your dentist (after the mock up is prepared).
Teeth require less preparatory work too, and they are easy to maintain.
Providing you understand that composite resin veneers wonβt last as long – usually around 5-7 years, you will have an aesthetically pleasing and highly functional solution.
*Note, each of these patients did take home whitening prior to their veneers. This ensures the veneers are prepared to the best base colour.
Owned by Dr Les Jabbour, Define Dental is located in Benowa. As the Gold Coastβs premier dental practice providing quality dental care to local residents longer than any other, Define Dental has decades of experience of providing exceptional dental care for the local Gold Coast community. Why not book an appointment with one of our dentists to discuss how you can upgrade your smile with composite resin veneers.