Veneers in Winthrop, Perth

A considered way to reshape chipped, worn or discoloured teeth 

Veneers are thin covers bonded to the front of a tooth to change its shape, size or colour. They suit teeth that are chipped, cracked, worn at the edges, unevenly spaced or discoloured in a way that whitening will not fix.

Veneers are not right for every tooth or every person. Teeth with large existing fillings, heavy decay or significant structural damage are usually better served by a crown. Our dentists assess the health of your teeth and gums first, then talk you through the options that suit your situation.

TLC Dental has cared for Winthrop and surrounding families for close to 30 years. Our approach is to explain what is realistic for your teeth before any treatment starts.

What happens at your veneer consultation 

The first appointment is an assessment and a conversation. No treatment happens on the day.

Your dentist starts by checking the health of your teeth and gums. Veneers sit on top of natural teeth, so any decay or gum problems need to be treated first. This is also when we look at how your teeth meet when you bite, and whether you grind or clench, because both affect how well a veneer holds up over time.

We then talk about what you want to change. It helps to bring photos of smiles you like, or of your own smile from a time you were happier with it. Being specific about what bothers you, whether that is the colour, a chipped edge, a gap or the length of a tooth, gives us a clearer brief to work to.

From there we take the records we need to plan the work. That usually includes photographs, x-rays and either a digital scan or an impression of your teeth.

How will I know what my veneers will look like? 

You will not be asked to commit without seeing a plan. We use visual previews, such as a mock-up or trial smile, so you can evaluate the shape directly in your mouth. Shade is chosen with you, against your natural teeth and in natural light, using a shade guide.

You will receive a written treatment plan and cost estimate before anything begins, so you can take it away and think it over.

The veneer process step by step

• Step 1: Consultation and assessment. We check the health of your teeth, gums and bite, discuss what you want to change, and take photographs, x-rays and a scan or impression.
• Step 2: Planning and shade selection. We agree on the shape, length and shade, and confirm how many teeth will be treated. You receive a written treatment plan and estimate.
• Step 3: Preparing the teeth. A thin layer of enamel is removed from the front of each tooth so the veneer sits flush and looks natural rather than bulky. The area is numbed first. A final impression or scan is taken and sent to the dental laboratory.
• Step 4: Temporary veneers. Temporary veneers protect the prepared teeth while the laboratory makes the final ones. They are more fragile than finished veneers, so we will give you clear care instructions for this period.
• Step 5: Fitting and bonding. We try the veneers in place first and check the fit, shape and colour with you before they are bonded. Once you are happy, each veneer is bonded to the tooth and the bite is checked and adjusted.
• Step 6: Review. We see you again shortly after fitting to check comfort, gum health and how the veneers are settling in.

Keeping your new smile in top shape 

Veneers do not decay, but the tooth underneath and the gum around it still can. Looking after veneers is mostly ordinary good oral hygiene, with a few additions.

Every day:

• Brush twice a day with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste. Avoid abrasive or charcoal whitening pastes, which can dull the surface.
• Floss daily, including along the gum line where the veneer meets the tooth. This is where decay tends to start.
• Rinse after coffee, tea, red wine and other strongly coloured drinks. Porcelain resists staining well, but the natural tooth and the bonding margins can still discolour over time.

Things to avoid:

• Biting hard objects such as ice, pens, fingernails or bottle tops.
• Using your teeth to open packaging.
• DIY whitening kits. Whitening will not change the colour of a veneer, and can leave your natural teeth mismatched against it.

Protecting them:

• If you grind or clench your teeth, ask about a night guard. Grinding is one of the more common reasons veneers chip.
• Wear a custom-fitted mouthguard for contact sport.
• Keep up your regular check-ups and cleans so we can monitor the margins and the gum health around each veneer.

When to call us: Call the clinic if a veneer chips, feels loose or comes off, if a tooth becomes sensitive, or if the gum around a veneer is sore or bleeding. A veneer that has come off in one piece can sometimes be re-bonded, so keep it and bring it in.

Veneers compared with the alternatives 

Veneers are one of several options for minor structural or cosmetic concerns. Your dentist will talk you through which suits your teeth.

• Teeth whitening: Changes colour only. It does not change shape, close gaps or repair chips, and it does not work on existing fillings, crowns or veneers. No enamel is removed, and it is reversible in the sense that the result fades rather than being permanent. Worth trying first if colour is your only concern.
• Composite bonding: Tooth-coloured resin applied and shaped directly onto the tooth, usually in a single visit. It generally needs little or no enamel removal and is straightforward to repair or adjust. The trade-off is that composite typically stains more readily and does not last as long as porcelain before it needs refreshing.
• Crowns: A crown covers the whole tooth rather than just the front surface. It is the better choice when a tooth is heavily filled, badly broken down or has had root canal treatment, because it holds the remaining tooth together. More tooth structure is removed than for a veneer.
• Orthodontics and sequential aligners: Moves the teeth themselves into a better position rather than changing the surface. This is usually the more conservative option when the issue is crowding, spacing or alignment, because no enamel is removed. It takes longer than veneers.

The honest comparison: Veneers change shape and colour together and do it quickly, which is why people choose them. The trade-off is that preparing a tooth for a veneer removes enamel permanently, so the tooth will always need a veneer or crown on it from that point on. That is a reasonable trade for the right tooth and the wrong one for a healthy, well-aligned tooth that only needs whitening. Our dentists will tell you which category yours falls into.

Veneer FAQs

• What are veneers?
  Veneers are thin covers bonded to the front surface of a tooth to change its shape, size or colour. At TLC Dental they are custom made from porcelain and colour matched to the teeth around them.
• How long do veneers last?
  It depends on the material, your bite and how you look after them. Porcelain veneers commonly last many years with good care and regular check-ups. Grinding, biting hard objects and gum disease all shorten that. We will give you a realistic expectation for your teeth at your consultation.
• Are veneers permanent, and can they be removed?
  The veneer itself can be removed or replaced, but the enamel that was taken off to fit it does not grow back. That means a prepared tooth will always need a veneer or a crown on it. It is worth understanding this before you start, which is why we cover it at the consultation.
• Do veneers damage your teeth?
  Fitting a veneer involves removing a thin layer of enamel, which is permanent. Beyond that, a well-fitted veneer on a healthy tooth does not damage it. Problems tend to come from decay or gum disease developing at the edges, which is why daily flossing and regular check-ups matter.
• Do veneers hurt?
  The preparation appointment is done with local anaesthetic, so you should not feel pain during it. Some sensitivity to hot and cold afterwards is common and usually settles. Tell us if it does not.
• How much do dental veneers cost?
  It depends on how many teeth are being treated and what each tooth needs. We assess you first and give you a written treatment plan with costs before any treatment goes ahead, so there are no surprises. Call the clinic to arrange a consultation.
• Are veneers covered by private health insurance?
  Cover varies by fund and by policy, and veneers are often treated differently from general dental. We can give you the item numbers for your treatment plan so you can check your entitlement with your fund before you commit. We process rebates on the spot with HICAPS.
• Can veneers be whitened?
  No. Whitening products do not change the colour of porcelain. If you are considering whitening your natural teeth as well, do that first so the veneers can be matched to the final shade.

Book a veneer consultation