Veneers

What are veneers?

Dental veneers are ultra-thin, custom-made coverings that are bonded to the front surface of your teeth to enhance their appearance. Made from either porcelain or composite resin, these shells are meticulously crafted to match or improve upon the natural color, shape, and size of your teeth. They're a popular cosmetic solution for addressing a variety of concerns, including discoloration, chips, cracks, gaps, or even minor misalignments, ultimately creating a more uniform and aesthetically pleasing smile.

Porcelain veneers vs composite resin veneers.

When you're considering dental veneers, you'll generally find two main types: porcelain and composite resin. The biggest differences between them boil down to what they're made from, how they're applied, how long they last, how natural they look, and the price.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are custom-made shells crafted in a dental lab. They're prized for their amazing stain resistance and impressive durability, often lasting 10 to 15 years or even longer. When it comes to looks, porcelain veneers offer a remarkably natural, translucent appearance that closely mimics your own tooth enamel. Getting them usually takes at least two dental appointments, and it does involve permanently removing a small amount of your tooth's surface.

Composite Resin Veneers

On the flip side, composite resin veneers are built directly onto your teeth by your dentist, typically in just one visit. They use a tooth-coloured resin material for this. While they're generally more affordable and often need less or even no tooth preparation (which means they can be reversible), composite veneers aren't as tough as porcelain. They're less durable and more likely to stain over time. You can usually expect them to last around 5 to 7 years before needing touch-ups or replacement.

Can you go back to normal teeth after veneers?

Whether you can return to your natural teeth after getting veneers depends entirely on the type you choose.

If you opt for composite resin veneers, you generally can. This is because composite veneers are a minimally invasive procedure, often requiring little to no alteration of your natural tooth enamel. Should you decide to remove them, the composite material can typically be taken off without lasting damage, allowing your teeth to return to their original state.

However, the situation is different with porcelain veneers. To ensure a proper fit and natural look, getting porcelain veneers involves the irreversible removal of a small layer of your tooth enamel. Once this enamel is gone, it won't grow back. This means that if porcelain veneers are removed, your teeth will then need new veneers or other restorative dental work; you can't simply go back to your completely natural, unprepared teeth.

Ready to transform your smile and boost your confidence? If you've been considering cosmetic dental treatment, there's never been a better time to explore your options. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discover how solutions like veneers, teeth whitening, or bonding can help you achieve the radiant smile you've always dreamed of. Let's create a personalized plan to enhance your smile together!