Neglecting your oral hygiene will ruin your teeth, not veneers!

There are people who are concerned with the fact that a small volume of tooth structure is often prepared as part of the process of making veneers. However in our clinic most of our smile makeovers we are adding volume to the teeth, so little or no preparation is needed.

The average price of porcelain veneers in Melbourne is anywhere between $1000-$3500. So why the big price range?

There are different levels of quality of porcelain veneers. You can get machine-milled ones that are manufactured in bulk. You can get hand-made porcelain veneers done by a ceramist. You can have an apprentice ceramist or a master ceramist. Our veneers are hand-made by a master ceramist. The labour and craftsmanship that goes behind each veneer smile makeover is incredible.

Behind every veneer smile makeover is about 20 hours of labour.

The cost of veneers in Melbourne ranges quite a bit, depending on the type of veneers: composite or porcelain.

The cost of composite veneers in Melbourne ranges between $200-$1000.

The cost of porcelain veneers in Melbourne ranges between $1200-$3500.

It comes down to the following:

• the material: composite or porcelain
• level of quality of material
• how the veneers are made: hand-made or machine produced
• who makes the veneers: an apprentice or a master ceramist
• experience of the dentist: this doesn’t refer to the age of the dentist or how many years he or she has been a dentist but what percentage of work is actually veneers

At Dental & Skin Clinic our prices fall somewhere in the middle. We’re not the cheapest because that would mean compromising on the quality. We’re not the most expensive because you’re not paying for a brand.

Coffee, tea, red wine, nighttime grinding and biting on your fingernails will have some sort of impact on the longevity of your composite veneers.

The pros of dental veneers are:

• that they solve multiple cosmetic problems at once. The colour, size, shape and alignment are all corrected with dental veneers
• how fast it’s done. With porcelain veneers from start to finish, the process takes less than 5 weeks. With composite veneers it’s done even faster – in a few hours!
• how long they last. Porcelain veneers last 15 years on average, while composite veneers, or dental bonding, lasts 5-7 years.

The cons of dental veneers are:

• the cost of veneers on teeth. The average price range for composite veneers in Melbourne is between $200-$1000 per composite veneer. While the porcelain veneers in Melbourne cost anywhere between $1200-$3500 per porcelain veneer.
• dental veneers can look fake when done incorrectly. They can look bulky and too thick, they can look like tic tacs if they’re too white or monochrome, and they can make someone’s smile look out of place. Hence it’s very important to make sure you choose the right cosmetic dentist who understands how the smile and the face interplay with each other and whose cosmetic dental treatment looks natural and knows how to use the smile the enhance a person’s face.

If you wanted to whiten your porcelain veneers, the only way to achieve this is by getting them replaced with lighter-coloured veneers.

The Kardashians do have porcelain veneers. Kim Kardashian’s porcelain veneers were made by Dr Michael Apa, a cosmetic dentist who has dental clinics in New York, Las Angeles and Dubai. He is an amazing cosmetic dentist who is known for his stunning porcelain veneers. Our cosmetic dentists follow Dr Apa’s cosmetic dental principles and are avid students of his teachings. They have listened to him lecture at the Greater New York Dental Meeting in 2019, and have listened to many of his lectures on porcelain veneers. They have adopted his cosmetic approach and see him as their cosmetic dental mentor.

If you want your dental veneers to be whiter, the only way to achieve this is by getting them replaced with lighter-coloured veneers.

The best toothpaste for porcelain veneers is one that is non-abrasive and without peroxide. Generally toothpaste for sensitive teeth is recommended and to completely avoid one that markets itself as being a teeth whitening toothpaste.

Sometimes even toothpaste that is for sensitive teeth has teeth whitening ingredients. Aim for toothpaste that is marketed as one for sensitive teeth but doesn’t mention anything about teeth whitening on the label.

It is possible to create dental veneers without shaving or shaping the teeth. There are 3 scenarios of when you could get dental veneers without shaving or shaping the teeth.

• when someone’s smile is tucked in and they have a narrow smile and we want to create a wider smile
• when a client wears Invisalign for a short time to reposition the teeth first and then get dental veneers. This scenario is recommended for someone who might have a smile that is protruding
• composite veneers or dental bonding doesn’t require shaping or shaving of teeth.

Dental veneers are one of the most versatile cosmetic dental procedures because it fixes multiple cosmetic dental concerns at once. You’re a candidate for dental veneers if:

• you have crooked teeth and you would like your teeth straightened but you don’t want orthodontics or braces
• you’d like your smile whiter and brighter in colour. Teeth whitening may not have worked on you or you’re not a candidate for teeth whitening
• you feel your smile doesn’t suit your face
• you have one or multiple teeth that are mis-shaped or out of place
• you have large gaps between your front teeth
• you have some teeth are either too small or too big
• you have worn down, chipped or broken teeth
• fix a gummy smile

• What is the motivation behind wanting a better smile? To improve self confidence, anti-ageing, wedding, an act of self love… there are so many possible reasons!
• What do you want your veneers done by? Is there a particular special occasion coming up?
• Do you want a few teeth veneered or the entire smile?

There are people who are concerned with the fact that a small volume of tooth structure is often prepared as part of the process of making veneers. However in our clinic most of our smile makeovers we are adding volume to the teeth, so little or no preparation is needed.

Once you get your veneers, you still need to look after them like your teeth. This means you still need to brush them twice a day and clean in between using an interdental brush. Neglecting your oral hygiene will ruin your teeth, not veneers!

One alternative is called the ‘Snap on Smile’. This is something you wear over your teeth to give the illusion of a straighter, whiter smile. It does not look as natural as Porcelain Veneers but some people prefer this option. We do not offer this at Dental & Skin Clinic because the aesthetic results are disappointing. In additional they are bulky and thick and not customised to the gum line which means they attract food and plaque around the gum line, making them difficult to clean and can cause the gums to become chronically inflamed and irritated.

Orthodontics is another alternative to Dental Veneers. They work by straightening the teeth typically over a period of 6-24 months, depending on how crooked the teeth are and what the final goal is. Orthodontics in the form of traditional braces or clear aligners such as Invisalign or other clear aligner brands work the same way which is to straighten the teeth. What they don’t do is correct the colour or the shape of teeth.

Teeth whitening is a quick and easy solution for an instantly brighter smile. Typically most people get about a 15-20% overall improvement in the colour of the teeth. However for some people it doesn’t work at all and they can end up being disappointed. That’s where other avenues such as veneers may be a suitable option to explore.

We prefer to work on a clean canvas. For this reason it’s our preference to do teeth whitening prior to your veneer appointment.

We generally recommend you allow 90 minutes for the initial Veneers Consultation. We want to take our time in getting to know you, your smile goals and your smile expectations.