COMPOSITE RESIN VENEERS AT BRISBANE SMILE BOUTIQUE
Composite veneers are made from a tooth coloured resin, the same material used with tooth bonding, with which your dentist will shape and polish the resin to match the adjacent teeth. By bonding the restorative materials onto your teeth, your dentist can alter or change the appearance of individual teeth and improve your smile.
Why patients consider composite resin veneers
Dental veneers can cover up tooth imperfections and give you a more even and brighter smile.
Imperfections may include teeth that are crooked, misshapen, chipped, stained, cracked, discoloured or worn down.
Composite Resin Veneers cover the front and sometimes the biting edg of your teeth but they are very different to crowns, which are thicker, stronger, and cover an entire tooth. Crowns require a lot more trimming of the tooth, which you may possibly not need with composite resin veneers.
If your teeth are in relatively good shape, and you want to change their appearance, including their shape or colour, composite resin veneers may be a good choice.
This patient had composite resin veneers in the first image, which lasted some years, and required several repairs.
After some years, when they needed replacement, she decided to have porcelain veneers placed on the front four teeth for better durability and aesthetics. She wears a night guard to protect the veneers from her tooth grinding habit
Crowns are usually only used for teeth that are more damaged. For example, if you have a broken tooth or a tooth that has had a root canal treatment, a crown may be a better solution.
Composite Resin Veneers are an especially good option for young people who want to change their smile, or who have had trauma, because there is usually less reduction of the underlying tooth, and they are more affordable than porcelain veneers.
One composite resin veneer made a difference to this great smile
Composite veneers procedure
Your dentist will start the process by cleaning your tooth thoroughly and preparing them for bonding of the composite resin.
Your dentist may have to trim a thin layer of your enamel if the tooth is discoloured, to cover an imperfection, or if the tooth is too far forward in your smile, so the composite veneer does not look too bulky. Sometimes, your teeth don’t need to be trimmed if minor changes to shape or color are needed.
Before applying direct veneers, a dentist will prepare the enamel of your teeth to help with bonding, and will then apply bond and light set it, to ensure the composite resin material sticks to your teeth. Very thin layers of the composite resin material are added to the surface of your tooth.
The dentist will light cure the layers of the composite resin with a light to harden the material.
Many people do not need anaesthesia during the process, but if you do, once the anaesthesia wears off, you should be fine to return to your normal activities.
How long do composite veneers last?
Composite veneers can last 5 to 7 years, on average. Composite veneers can easily be removed and repaired or replaced by adding new composite material.
After that, you will likely need a replacement set of veneers. That’s a substantially shorter life span than a set of porcelain veneers, which might last at least 10 or 15 years.
You may be able to extend the life of your composite veneers by taking good care of them.
Embrace a routine of regular brushing twice daily, and floss daily, and resist any urge to chew on ice and other hard objects with your front teeth.
KEEP IN MIND WITH composite resin veneers
Beware when biting. The resin used in dental bonding is not as strong as a tooth. If you bite your nails, or ice cubes, or the pens in your office, you risk chipping the material.
If you follow a consistent oral care routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing with a soft floss, your bonding should last for several years before it will need to be replaced.
material is weaker than porcelain and may chip often
will need to be replaced or repaired more frequently than porcelain veneers
Four composite resin veneers were placed after Invisalign treatment, to perfect the symmetry and to restore proper proportions to this smile.
FEES AND APPOINTMENTS FOR TOOTH BONDING
Fees are $900 for each composite resin veneer. The application of veneers is a time consuming process, and it is important to use high quality materials and allow high quality work that will last, since the results are visible as soon as you open your mouth.
Although less expensive than porcelain veneers, composite veneers can be costly when considering a number of teeth.
The dentist will correct your tooth shape and colour until you are happy. Be mindful that there are limitations to tooth bonding, because underlying tooth colour can sometimes shine through, and it may not be suitable for all patients. Your dentist will help you to make the best decision for your case.
consideration of porcelain veneers
You may consider a porcelain veneer which is stronger and will last longer, and be less inclined to stain or chip over time, because it is machined glass, custom made to look like a real tooth in the laboratory by master ceramists.
The fee for a porcelain veneer is $2100 per tooth, with a 3 week turnaround.
Time required for an appointment for composite resin veneers ranges at about 1 hour per tooth.
Advantages of composite veneers
Composite veneers offer several advantages, making them a popular choice for cosmetic dental treatments:
1. Less Tooth Reduction: Unlike porcelain veneers, composite veneers typically require minimal removal of tooth enamel. This less invasive process can be beneficial for maintaining more of the natural tooth structure.
2. Cost-Effective: Generally, composite veneers are less expensive than porcelain veneers, making them a more affordable option for many patients.
3. Single Visit Procedure: Composite veneers can often be applied in a single visit, as the material is sculpted directly onto the teeth, unlike porcelain veneers which require lab fabrication.
4. Easy to Repair: If composite veneers are chipped or damaged, they can usually be easily repaired or touched up without needing to replace the entire veneer.
5. Customisable and Adjustable: Since the dentist applies and sculpts the composite material directly onto the tooth, adjustments can be made immediately to achieve the desired appearance.
6. Good Aesthetic Results: Composite veneers can provide a significant aesthetic improvement, enhancing the colour, shape, and alignment of teeth.
7. Reversible: If minimal tooth enamel is removed, the process can be somewhat reversible, unlike porcelain veneers which require a significant amount of enamel removal.
8. Quick Results: Patients can see the results immediately after the procedure, without the wait time required for lab fabrication.
9. Less Invasive: The procedure for composite veneers is generally less invasive than for porcelain veneers
Disadvantages of composite veneers
Composite veneers, while offering several advantages, also have certain disadvantages that should be considered:
1. Durability: Composite veneers are not as durable as porcelain veneers and may need to be replaced more frequently.
2. Stain Resistance: They are more prone to staining and discolouration over time compared to porcelain veneers, especially from coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco.
3. Maintenance: Composite veneers require careful and regular maintenance to keep them looking their best. They may need polishing and touch-ups over time.
4. Aesthetic Longevity: While composite veneers look great initially, they may lose their lustre and colour more quickly than porcelain.
5. Chipping and Wear: Composite material is not as strong as porcelain and can be more susceptible to chipping and wear.
6. Limited Lifespan: Generally, composite veneers have a shorter lifespan, often needing replacement or repair within 5 to 7 years, unlike porcelain veneers which can last 10 to 15 years or longer with proper care.
7. Not Suitable for Major Alterations: They might not be the best option for significant dental issues like severe misalignment, large gaps, or major discolouration.
8. Not for All Cases: In some cases, like with severely damaged teeth, composite veneers may not provide adequate strength or aesthetics compared to other options like crowns or porcelain veneers.
9. Technique Sensitive: The success of composite veneers greatly depends on the dentist’s skill and technique, more so than with porcelain veneers.
Understanding these disadvantages is important when deciding on the best cosmetic dental treatment. It’s advisable to discuss with our dentists to determine if composite veneers are suitable for your specific dental needs.
Risks of treatment
Any invasive or surgical procedure carries risks.
Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Patients of Brisbane Smile Boutique require a comprehensive dental examination and consultation appointment to ensure suitability for procedures and full informed consent must be given by a patient.
Photos shown on this website are actual patients of Dr Leila Haywood. Photos are for general purposes and individual results will vary. No dental treatment is suitable for each and every patient. Dentists will only provide care which is suitable to an individual.