Veneers are thin, tooth-coloured laminates that are precisely moulded to cover the front surface of your teeth. These are effective to cover minor imperfections such as small chips, discolouration or staining, misaligned teeth or for closing gaps between teeth.

Veneers can either be porcelain or composite. Our dentists are happy to discuss the best option for you based on your individual needs and your budget.

Porcelain Veneers

Advantages:

• Resistant to staining
• Have a natural appearance
• Gum tissues tolerates these veneers better
• Stronger than composite veneers making them a long-term solution.

Disadvantages:

• Cannot be repaired once chipped or if the gum has receded (this could be due to incorrect brushing technique or ageing)
• Are relatively expensive
• In some cases, a thin layer of enamel will need to be removed to prepare the tooth surface to fabricate the veneer on top

Composite Veneers

Advantages:

• Inexpensive compared to the porcelain option
• Single visit is needed to have them done
• Reduction of enamel is not required, making the composite option more conservative
• Repair can be done if required

Disadvantages:

• Not as strong as the porcelain veneers
• Composite bonding may require regular touch ups to remove stains at porous and marginal areas
• Are not as realistic in appearance
• In few cases, a thin layer of enamel will need to be removed to prepare the tooth surface to fabricate the veneer on top

Ultimately, porcelain veneers are a more long-term and aesthetic solution, however composite veneers are just as effective as an economical and short to medium term solution.