COVID-19

11 Mitchell Drive,
Kariong, NSW, 2250
info@kariongdental.com.au

Cosmetic Dentistry

What is cosmetic dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is working on your smile to give you confidence in your social life! It is not a specialty of dentistry. Treatments that help us achieve a smile that you want may be orthodontics, veneers, whitening, crowns, implants, bridges and resin bonding.

What is a veneer?

Veneers are thin layers of porcelain that are strongly adhered to your front teeth. Instead of porcelain, they can also be made from composite resin, but the result and longevity will not be as good as porcelain.

Are dental veneers suitable for you?  

Veneers would be required when you wish to improve the appearance of your front teeth. They can improve the colour, shape and size of your front teeth.

Crowning of the teeth may be the preferred treatment over a veneer in same cases as the foundation/structure of the teeth may be compromised.

What are the advantages of a veneer?

Well designed and made veneers will last a long time. Teeth whitening is only able to whiten teeth to an extent and veneers are able to whiten your teeth in cases where teeth whitening is limited.

Compared to crowns, veneers are much more conservative to the tooth.

How long will the process take?

Veneers require at least two appointments, usually two weeks apart. The first one is to shape your teeth, to allow space for the veneers. The second appointment is attaching the veneers. Depending on the aesthetic requirements, more appointments in planning may be required to achieve a desired result.

How long does a veneer last?  

Porcelain veneers should last around 10 years. It is dependent on many factors, especially how your teeth bite together. Your dentist will be able to give you a more accurate prediction once they see and analyse your mouth. Composite resin veneers will not last as long.

If you clench or grind your teeth while sleeping, or your teeth bite together very tightly, a night-time jaw splint (called an occlusal splint) is advised to prevent chipping of the veneers.

What is a composite resin veneer?  

Composite resin veneers are precisely sculpted out of a putty-like material before being bonded to teeth. Allowing a more direct bonding procedure, as compared to that of porcelain veneers, the resin veneering process for a single tooth usually takes less than an hour. It should be noted that resin veneers are less durable than porcelain veneers. As in the case of porcelain veneers, a thin layer of tooth enamel will also be removed to accommodate the resin veneers.

Composite veneers can be built up directly in your mouth, with the veneers able to be bonded and moulded to the front of your teeth often in a single dentist visit.

Veneers of composite material tend to be more economical than porcelain but they are less durable and may be in need of replacement more often. Composite material is usually a combination of micro-fillers, such as glass beads and resin. Staining is also more common with composite veneers over time and may require polishing and touch-ups.

COVID-19 Message

Dear Patients, Families & Friends,

It’s official! We are now on Level 1 restrictions for dentistry.

Which means, as long as you have not been in a COVID-19 risk situation and don’t have a cold or flu symptoms we can provide all your regular dental treatments.

This includes examinations, checkup and cleans, restorative procedures such as replacing missing or damaged teeth, crowns, bridges, dentures and implants, orthodontic treatment, fillings, cosmetic veneers, extractions and preventative procedures.

We will continue to provide you with the safe, high-quality dental care you can trust. We are fully equipped to offer this crucial service with full compliance with Government sanctions in dealing with the Coronavirus.

Here is how we will take additional steps to keep you safe:

  • Upon arrival at your appointment you will notify us you have arrived and we will notify you when you can enter the practice safely avoiding all waiting room contact.
  • The practice will continue to be fully sanitised to ensure your safety.

Good oral health is closely linked to good overall health, so if you have not seen us for a while, then now is a perfect time. Plus, it’s always nice to have that clean mouth feeling.