How do Veneers Work? | Helix Dental

Veneers are thin shells bonded to the front surfaces of teeth to change their shape, size or colour. Dental injury, wear or a chipped edge can leave a tooth looking out of place, and veneers are one of several ways a dentist may address that. This article explains what veneers are, how they work, the difference between the two main types, and how to tell whether they are a reasonable option for you.

Understanding veneers

A veneer is a thin layer of material fitted over the visible surface of a tooth. Veneers can address minor concerns such as chipped teeth, small cracks, small gaps and mild irregularities in position, and they can also change the apparent colour of a tooth. There are two main types — composite and porcelain — and they behave differently. Which one is appropriate, or whether a veneer is appropriate at all, is something your dentist decides with you after an examination.

What do veneers look like?

Both types are made to resemble natural teeth. The practical differences are in how they are made and how much tooth structure is involved.

Composite veneers are built up and shaped directly on the tooth in the chair, using a resin tinted to match your natural teeth. Little or no tooth preparation is often needed, though a small amount of reshaping is sometimes required for the veneer to sit correctly. Composite is repairable but softer than porcelain, so it needs more upkeep. This is closely related to composite resin bonding.
Porcelain veneers are made in a dental laboratory and then bonded to the tooth. Preparation usually involves removing a thin layer of enamel to make room for the shell. Porcelain resists staining well and is harder wearing, but the enamel removed does not grow back, which makes the treatment irreversible.

How veneers work

In cosmetic dentistry, veneers work by covering the visible surface of a tooth rather than by correcting the underlying position of it. They can mask small chips, cracks and gaps, but they do not straighten teeth in the way orthodontic treatment does. The usual sequence for veneer treatment is:

Initial consultation. Your dentist examines your teeth and gums, checks the bite, and discusses what you want to change and what is realistic. This is the right moment to ask about risks, costs, alternatives and anything that makes you nervous.
Tooth preparation. For porcelain veneers a thin layer of enamel is usually removed to create space for the shell. Local anaesthetic is generally used to keep you comfortable during this step.
Impressions or a digital scan. A record of the prepared teeth is sent to the laboratory so the veneers can be made to fit. Temporary veneers may be placed in the meantime to protect the teeth.
Fitting and bonding. Once the veneers are ready, they are trialled for fit and appearance, then bonded to the teeth with dental adhesive and the edges polished.

Veneers are an invasive treatment where enamel is removed, and that change is permanent. Veneers can also chip, stain at the margins, or debond over time, and they may eventually need replacing. Your dentist should explain these risks before you agree to proceed, and seeking a second opinion is reasonable.

Am I suitable for veneers?

Not everyone is a suitable candidate. Healthy gums, sound underlying tooth structure and a stable bite generally matter more than the cosmetic concern itself. Active decay, gum disease or heavy grinding usually need to be managed first. In some cases a more conservative option, or a different treatment altogether, is the better answer — which is the purpose of the initial consultation.

Finding a dentist near you

If you are weighing up cosmetic treatment, it helps to see a practice you can get to easily for follow-up appointments and reviews. Helix Dental sees patients from across the northern Gold Coast, including Mermaid Beach and Broadbeach, and offers general, cosmetic, restorative and emergency dentistry for all ages.

Veneers at Helix Dental

Helix Dental is a general and cosmetic dental practice at 2/299 Rio Vista Blvd, Mermaid Waters. Our dentists will assess whether veneers suit your teeth, explain what composite and porcelain each involve, and set out the alternatives and the ongoing maintenance before any tooth is prepared. To arrange an assessment, call 07 5572 8969 or email hello@helixdental.com.au.

General information only. This page provides general information about dental treatment and is not a substitute for individual clinical advice. Whether any treatment is suitable for you can only be determined by a dentist after an examination. Results and recovery vary from person to person and are not guaranteed.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Porcelain veneers generally are not. Preparing a tooth usually involves removing a thin layer of enamel, which does not grow back, so the tooth will need a veneer or similar restoration from then on. Composite veneers are often more conservative.

Composite is shaped directly on the tooth in one appointment and is easy to repair, but it is softer and needs more upkeep. Porcelain is made in a laboratory, resists staining well and wears better, but usually requires enamel removal.

There is no fixed lifespan. Veneers can chip, stain at the edges or come away from the tooth over time, and they may eventually need replacing. Your bite, your grinding habits and your daily care all influence how they hold up.

Active decay, gum disease, insufficient enamel or heavy clenching and grinding usually need to be managed first. Your dentist will assess your teeth, gums and bite and may suggest a different treatment if veneers are not appropriate.