Porcelain veneers are thin shells of ceramic bonded to the front of the teeth to change their colour, shape, size or length. They can make a significant difference to a smile, but they’re also a permanent decision, because some enamel is usually removed to fit them. Understanding the process helps you know what you’re agreeing to and what to expect at each step.
Step 1: Consultation and assessment
Your dentist will talk with you about what you’d like to change and examine your teeth, gums and bite. They’ll check for decay, gum disease and signs of grinding, all of which affect whether veneers are suitable and how long they’re likely to last. X-rays and photos are usually taken.
This is also the time to discuss alternatives. Whitening, composite bonding, composite veneers, orthodontic straightening or crowns might suit you better, or might be used alongside veneers. A good consultation covers all options, not just one.
Step 2: Smile design and preview
Your dentist will take a digital scan or impressions. Many practices use these to create a wax-up or digital mock-up of the planned veneers. Some will place a temporary trial version over your teeth so you can see and feel the proposed shape before any tooth is prepared. This is a good chance to give feedback on length, shape and shade.
Step 3: Tooth preparation
At the preparation appointment, usually under local anaesthetic, your dentist removes a thin layer of enamel from the front of each tooth, often around half a millimetre, though it varies. This makes room for the porcelain so the veneers don’t look bulky. This step can’t be reversed: once enamel is removed, those teeth will always need some form of covering.
A final scan or impression is taken and sent to the lab, along with photos and shade information.
Step 4: Temporary veneers
While your veneers are being made, you’ll usually wear temporary veneers made of acrylic or composite. They protect the prepared teeth and let you live with the new shape for a while. Temporaries are less strong than the final veneers, so avoid biting hard foods with your front teeth and take care when flossing.
Step 5: Lab fabrication
A dental technician crafts the veneers from porcelain to match the planned shape and shade. At Parramatta Dentistry, veneers are made in our group’s in-house ceramic lab, which lets your dentist and the technician work closely on the details of your case.
Step 6: Try-in and bonding
At the fitting appointment, your dentist removes the temporaries and tries in the veneers to check fit, colour and shape before bonding. Once you’re both happy, the teeth are cleaned and prepared, and each veneer is bonded with a resin cement that’s hardened with a curing light. Your bite is checked and adjusted.
Step 7: Review
A review appointment a week or two later lets your dentist check your gums, your bite and how you’re adjusting. If you grind your teeth, a night guard is usually recommended to protect the veneers.
How long does it take?
From preparation to fitting usually takes two to three weeks, depending on lab time. The overall process, including consultation and planning, often spans a month or more.
Cost
Porcelain veneers at Parramatta Dentistry start from $57 a week with a payment plan. The total depends on how many veneers you need and whether other treatment is needed first. Conditions apply.
Benefits and limitations
Benefits: porcelain is strong, resists staining and can look very natural. Veneers can change shape and colour at the same time.
Limitations: enamel removal is irreversible. Veneers can chip, debond or need replacing after some years. The colour can’t be whitened later, so whiten any other teeth first if you want a lighter overall shade.
Risks
Possible risks include tooth sensitivity after preparation, gum irritation, veneers chipping or coming loose, and, occasionally, the nerve of a prepared tooth becoming inflamed and needing root canal treatment. Your dentist will discuss the risks for your teeth.
Aftercare
- Brush twice a day and clean between your teeth daily. Veneers can’t decay, but the tooth underneath can, especially at the edges.
- Avoid biting very hard objects with your front teeth.
- Wear a night guard if you grind and a mouthguard for contact sports.
- Keep up regular check-ups and cleans.
Learn more about porcelain veneers or compare options on our dental veneers page.
A complimentary smile makeover consultation, including an OPG x-ray, examination and photos, is available for eligible patients considering veneers, implants, full-mouth implants, Invisalign or orthodontics. Conditions apply.
Frequently asked questions
Do porcelain veneers hurt?
The preparation appointment is done under local anaesthetic, so it shouldn’t be painful. Some people have temporary sensitivity to hot or cold after preparation or fitting. This usually settles within a few weeks.
How many veneers do I need?
It depends on your smile and goals. Some people need one or two to fix a specific tooth; others choose more to change the overall look of their smile. Your dentist will discuss which teeth show when you smile and how many are needed for a balanced result.
Can veneers fix crooked teeth?
Veneers can improve the appearance of mildly crooked teeth, but they don’t move them. For more significant crowding, straightening first with aligners is often better and may mean less tooth needs to be prepared.
What happens if a veneer chips or comes off?
Keep the veneer if it comes off and contact your dentist. Sometimes it can be re-bonded. A chipped porcelain veneer usually needs to be replaced.
Can I eat normally with veneers?
Yes, once they’re bonded. It’s sensible to avoid biting very hard things such as ice, bones or hard lollies with your front teeth, and not to use your teeth as tools.
Are veneers suitable if I grind my teeth?
Grinding increases the risk of chipping and debonding. Veneers may still be possible, but your dentist may recommend a night guard and will consider your bite carefully.
Book at Parramatta Dentistry
Parramatta Dentistry is at Suite 25, Level 3, 27 Hunter Street, Parramatta, a short walk from Parramatta Station. We’re open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, and HICAPS is on site, so you can claim from your health fund on the day and pay only the gap, if there is one. Call (02) 8090 1109 or book online.
This article is general information only and isn’t a substitute for personalised advice from your dentist. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.