Your smile is often the first thing people notice about you. If you are self-conscious about chipped, stained, or unevenly spaced teeth, veneers offer a comprehensive solution.
At Sundial Dental, we provide custom veneer treatments across our Mid North Coast clinics, helping you achieve a harmonious and confident smile.
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are ultra-thin shells that are bonded to the front surface of your teeth. Think of them like false fingernails, but for your teeth—designed to change their colour, shape, size, or length. They can be made from either porcelain (a durable, stain-resistant ceramic) or composite resin (a tooth-coloured filling material). Both options are designed to mimic the appearance of natural teeth while masking imperfections.
What Can They Correct?
Veneers are a versatile cosmetic treatment often used to fix:
- Discolouration: Deep stains from medication (like tetracycline) or root canal treatments that do not respond to traditional whitening.
- Wear and Tear: Teeth that are worn down, chipped, or broken.
- Spacing Issues: Closing small gaps (diastemas) between teeth without braces.
- Misalignment: Creating the appearance of straight teeth for minor twists or uneven shapes.
The Treatment Process
Depending on the type of veneer you choose, the process may vary slightly, but generally involves these steps:
- Diagnosis & Planning: We discuss your aesthetic goals and examine your teeth to ensure veneers are the right option. We may take photos and digital scans to plan your new look.
- Preparation: To ensure the veneer doesn’t look bulky, we usually need to remove a small amount (about 0.5mm) of enamel from the front of the tooth. This is done under local anaesthetic.
- Fabrication: For porcelain veneers, we take a mould to send to our laboratory (taking 2–4 weeks). For composite veneers, the material is often sculpted directly onto your tooth in a single visit.
- Bonding: The veneer is permanently cemented to the tooth using a high-intensity light to harden the adhesive, creating a strong, long-lasting bond.
Long-Term Aesthetics
Veneers are known for their ability to create a “Hollywood smile” that still looks authentic. Unlike natural teeth, high-quality porcelain veneers are highly resistant to permanent staining from coffee, tea, and red wine. With proper care, they can serve as a long-term investment in your appearance.
