Dental Veneers – in Melbourne
Dental Veneers – in Melbourne
Veneers can change the shape, colour or size of teeth you’re unhappy with, but they aren’t the right choice for everyone. At Supreme Dental Doncaster, we offer porcelain and composite veneers for patients across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. Your dentist will explain what veneers can and can’t do for your teeth before you decide.
If you’re researching dental veneers in Melbourne, this page covers how they work, who they suit, the risks and the alternatives, so you can come to your consultation with good questions.
Call (03) 9848 4989 to book a veneer consultation, or book online.
What are dental veneers?
A veneer is a thin layer of tooth-coloured material bonded to the front surface of a tooth. Veneers are usually placed on the teeth that show when you smile. They cover the front of the tooth and can change how it looks, but they don’t treat decay or gum disease.
Porcelain veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin ceramic shells made to fit each tooth. They are usually made in a dental laboratory from impressions or scans of your teeth, then bonded in place at a later appointment. Placing them usually means removing a thin layer of enamel from the front of the tooth. That step is permanent, so the tooth will always need some form of covering afterwards.
Composite veneers
Composite veneers are made from tooth-coloured resin that your dentist applies directly to the tooth and shapes by hand. They often need less tooth preparation than porcelain, and sometimes none. Composite can be repaired or added to if it chips, but it tends to stain and wear more readily than porcelain.
Porcelain veneers | Composite veneers | |
How they’re made | Custom-made, usually by a dental laboratory | Built up directly on the tooth by the dentist |
Tooth preparation | Usually some enamel is removed (irreversible) | Often little or none |
Appointments | Generally more than one | Often fewer than porcelain |
Staining | Resists staining well | More prone to staining over time |
If damaged | Usually replaced | Often repairable |
Your dentist can talk you through which type, if either, suits your teeth, budget and expectations.
How veneers may help
Depending on your teeth, veneers may be an option to:
- cover discolouration that doesn’t respond to teeth whitening
- improve the look of chipped, worn or uneven teeth
- close small gaps between front teeth
- change the shape or length of teeth that look short or irregular
Results depend on your teeth, gums, bite and the material used, and every patient’s result is different. Veneers change how teeth look; they don’t make teeth stronger or healthier.
Are veneers right for you?
Veneers may be considered when your teeth and gums are healthy and the concern is mainly cosmetic. Your dentist will check for anything that needs attention first, such as:
- tooth decay or gum disease, which should be treated before veneers are placed
- grinding or clenching (bruxism), which can chip or loosen veneers
- large fillings or weakened teeth, where a crown may be more suitable
- crowded or crooked teeth, where orthodontic treatment may be a better first step
- not enough healthy enamel for a veneer to bond to
Sometimes the honest answer is that a simpler treatment, or no treatment, is the better choice. A consultation is a chance to find that out without any obligation to proceed.
Limitations and risks to consider
Like any dental treatment, veneers carry risks. Your dentist will explain the ones that apply to you before you agree to treatment. They include:
- Irreversible preparation. Enamel removed for porcelain veneers doesn’t grow back.
- Sensitivity. Teeth may be sensitive to hot and cold after preparation, usually for a short time.
- Chipping or debonding. Veneers can chip, crack or come loose, especially with grinding or biting hard objects.
- Colour changes. Veneers don’t respond to whitening, and composite may stain. Your natural teeth may change colour around them over time.
- Not permanent. No veneer lasts forever. Most will need repair or replacement at some stage, which is an ongoing cost.
- Gum and nerve effects. Gums can become irritated around the edges, and in some cases a prepared tooth may later need further treatment such as root canal treatment.
The veneer process at our Doncaster clinic
Every treatment plan is individual. A typical path looks like this:
- Consultation and examination. Your dentist examines your teeth and gums, may take X-rays, and asks what you’d like to change.
- Discussing your options. You’ll hear about veneers and any alternatives, the risks, the expected number of appointments and an itemised cost estimate.
- Treating other problems first. Any decay or gum disease is treated before cosmetic work begins.
- Preparing and placing veneers. For porcelain veneers, the teeth are prepared and impressions or scans are taken for the laboratory, often with temporary coverings in between. Composite veneers are built up and shaped directly on the teeth.
- Review. Your dentist checks your bite and the fit, and explains how to look after your veneers.
You’re welcome to take your treatment plan home and think it over before deciding.
Alternatives to veneers
Veneers are one of several ways to change how teeth look. Depending on your situation, your dentist may suggest:
- Teeth whitening for teeth that are discoloured but otherwise in good shape
- Composite bonding to repair a small chip or gap on a single tooth
- Dental crowns for teeth that are heavily filled, cracked or weakened
- Braces or clear aligners to move crooked or crowded teeth instead of covering them
Caring for your veneers
Veneers need the same daily care as natural teeth:
- brush twice a day with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste, and clean between your teeth daily
- keep up regular check-ups and cleans so your dentist can check the edges and your gums
- avoid biting nails, pens, ice or other hard objects
- ask about a night guard if you grind or clench your teeth
- limit tea, coffee, red wine and smoking, especially with composite veneers
Let us know straight away if a veneer chips, feels rough or comes loose.
Cost of veneers and payment options
The cost of veneers depends on the material, the number of teeth, and any treatment needed beforehand. Because every plan is different, we don’t publish a set price. You’ll receive a cost estimate after your consultation, before any treatment starts.
- We accept all health funds and are a preferred provider for HIF, NIB, HCF, Medibank and Bupa. Cover for veneers varies by policy; ask us for the item numbers to check your rebate with your fund.
- Payment plans are available through Afterpay and Humm. Eligibility criteria, fees and terms apply; see our payment options.
Dental veneers in Doncaster, Melbourne's east
Supreme Dental Doncaster provides dental veneers in Doncaster at 49 Williamsons Road, Doncaster VIC 3108, opposite Westfield Doncaster. There’s on-site parking and public transport nearby, and we’re open Monday to Sunday, 9:00am to 6:00pm.
Patients come to us from across Melbourne’s east, including Templestowe, Box Hill, Balwyn, Balwyn North, Mont Albert North and Surrey Hills.
Veneer consultations are provided by our dentists, including Dr Neda Isapour (Dentist), who has practised dentistry since 2005 and provides veneers alongside general and cosmetic treatment. Our team also includes dentists who speak Mandarin, Cantonese and Korean.
Book a veneer consultation
Thinking about veneers? A consultation gives you a clear picture of your options, the risks and the costs, with no obligation to go ahead.
Call (03) 9848 4989, email info@doncastersupremedental.com.au or book online. You can also message us through WhatsApp on our website.
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FAQs
How much do veneers cost in Melbourne?
The cost depends on whether you choose porcelain or composite, how many teeth are treated, and whether other treatment is needed first. We’ll give you an itemised estimate after your consultation, before any treatment begins.
Does health insurance cover veneers?
Some extras policies contribute to veneers, often as major dental, but many limit or exclude cosmetic treatment. Ask us for the item numbers on your treatment plan and check your rebate directly with your fund.
How long do veneers last?
It varies with the material, your bite, grinding habits and how well they’re cared for. Porcelain generally resists wear and staining better than composite. No veneer is permanent, and most will need repair or replacement at some point.
Does getting veneers hurt?
Preparing teeth for porcelain veneers is usually done with local anaesthetic. Some patients notice temporary sensitivity afterwards. Composite veneers often need little or no preparation. Tell us if you’re anxious, and your dentist can explain each step before it happens.
How many appointments will I need?
Porcelain veneers generally need more than one visit, because they’re made in a laboratory after your teeth are prepared. Composite veneers are often completed in fewer visits. Your dentist will tell you what your plan involves at your consultation.
Can veneers be removed?
Porcelain veneers are not reversible, because enamel is removed to fit them, so the tooth will always need a covering. Composite veneers can often be adjusted or replaced. Talk this through carefully before deciding.
Can I whiten my veneers?
No. Whitening doesn’t change the colour of porcelain or composite. If you’d like whiter teeth overall, it’s usually best to whiten your natural teeth first so the veneers can be matched to the new shade.
Am I suitable for veneers?
Veneers may suit you if your teeth and gums are healthy and your concerns are mainly cosmetic. Decay, gum disease, heavy grinding or crowded teeth may need treatment first, or a different option may suit you better. A consultation is the way to find out.
Do you offer dental veneers in Doncaster?
Yes. We provide porcelain and composite veneers at 49 Williamsons Road, Doncaster, opposite Westfield Doncaster, with on-site parking and appointments seven days a week.
