Are you thinking about treating yourself to a new smile with either temporary or porcelain veneers, but can’t figure out which is the best option for you? Then let us try and help you figure it out by explaining what each is and why they might be the best choice. As you might expect, porcelain veneers are permanent and can last between 10 and 20 years. Temporary veneers are similar to a mouth guard and clip onto your natural teeth to hide any imperfections beneath.
Temporary veneers are less invasive and cheaper, so they might be a great option if you’re not too sure whether you want to commit to porcelain veneers yet. Permanent veneers will require your teeth to be shaved down to fit the porcelain caps, which can’t be undone so you’ll need to replace your veneers every 10 to 20 years. Comparatively, temporary veneers are only usually made to be worn for two to six weeks to make sure you want to go through with permanent veneers.
There are quite a few pros and cons for both of these veneers, so choosing the right one for you can be quite difficult. Today we’ll be looking into both of these treatment options, including features, costs, and more, to help you figure out the best way forward for your smile.
The first step in getting your temporary veneers is to have an initial consultation with us to learn what you want from your new smile. We'll talk about colour matching and shaping, if there are any problem areas you want to change, and what you're hoping to get out of your veneer journey.
We'll then use our digital scanner and 3D technology to make a mock-up of your veneers that will look almost exactly the same as their permanent counterparts. These can often be made on the same day as your consultation so you don't have to wait too long to see your new smile!
Once the temporary veneers have been created, we'll fit them onto your natural teeth so you can trial your new smile before committing to anything. You can then go home with care instructions to try them out, make sure you like their new appearance, and make your final decision about any changes you might want to make. You can then bring this information back and we'll use it to finalise your permanent porcelain veneers.
The first step in your permanent veneer journey is for us to work together to diagnose your smile and what you want to get out of your new smile. We'll look at colours, any imperfections you want fixing, and how many teeth need replacing. If you've been wearing temporary veneers before this point, we'll also look at what you liked and didn't to make sure your new veneers are the perfect match for your smile.
Once your porcelain veneers are ready, we'll need to prepare the tooth's surface for them. We'll shave down some of your natural enamel to help the porcelain caps fit over them without looking bulky or unnatural. We'll numb you beforehand, so this shouldn't hurt at all, but it can be a little unsettling for some patients. We'll take it slow and talk you through what we're doing to prevent it from becoming too overwhelming.
Now that the teeth are prepared, all that's left is to fit your new smile! We'll use a special bonding agent to glue the porcelain veneers to your natural teeth, focusing on the problem areas you identified in your initial consultation. Once your new smile is finished and polished, you'll be able to go home and admire your new teeth in peace!
Learn more about porcelain veneers and if they're the best treatment option for you.
Temporary veneers can be made within your first appointment, so you should be able to trial them within no time at all. It depends on the strength and advice from your dentist as to how long you wear them. Some dentists recommend you only wear them for 10 days, while others offer temporary veneers that can last for up to six weeks. This gives you plenty of time to make sure veneers are the right way forward for you without rushing you into a decision.
Most porcelain veneers take around three appointments from start to finish, but at Gorgeous Smiles Melbourne, we have the technology to have your porcelain veneers fitted within just one appointment! Of course, if you want to try temporary veneers before diving in at the deep end, we offer this too, and your overall treatment duration will depend on how long you want to wear the temporary alternatives for.
Some dentists will use pre-selected shapes and sizes for their temporary veneers, but we use custom-made thin shells instead. These look more natural and can fit directly in front of your natural teeth, so you can wear your temporary veneers out with pride and see how you feel with them in public!
We don't use porcelain to create our temporary veneers, instead opting for resin which is more affordable, comfortable, and easier to get on and off when you're not wearing them. This means that we don't have to charge extra for your temporary veneers and can offer them as a free service in your permanent veneers package.
We use plenty of technological features when placing porcelain veneers, including:
We have industry-leading 3D printers and digital scanners to make our veneer placement as quick and efficient as possible, giving us a comprehensive view of your teeth so we can tailor your new smile to your existing one. This gives us much better insight than without them, hopefully making your experience all the more enjoyable and exciting. Plus, this technology lets us make your permanent veneers in record timing, so you won't have to wait as long to show them off!
One of the biggest complaints about porcelain veneers that we hear is how they're bulky and feel unnatural, even with the natural teeth beneath shaved down. This is why we pride ourselves on using thinner layers of porcelain to make sure your new teeth look as natural and seamless as possible.
Temporary veneers are often only made to be worn for two to six weeks while you're waiting for your permanent veneers, so the price is almost always included within your permanent veneer price. This means you won't need to pay for the temporary teeth.
Some people consider composite veneers temporary as they don't require any enamel to be removed, so when they're removed, your natural teeth look relatively untouched beneath. These can cost between $300 and $600 per tooth.
Learn more about composite veneers and whether they're a good fit for you.
Porcelain veneers cost much more than temporary veneers, with each tooth costing around $2,036 in Australia. This is quite a steep investment, but remember each tooth will last between 10 and 20 years! So, in the long run, it’s a worthwhile investment for many. You might also be able to get a discount depending on how many teeth you want replacing, also.
Most customers really like their temporary veneers and appreciate the fact that they can be used to make sure they're completely happy and sure that they want to go through with their permanent veneers. They liked the overall fitting and consultation experience, although they found the veneers to be a little flimsy as they're made from resin rather than porcelain or anything stronger.
The majority of customers who go through with permanent porcelain veneers are very happy with the results and are really impressed with how long their new teeth last. With a lifespan of between 10 and 20 years, they're happy with how long their investment lasts and the confidence boost that comes with it. They also praised the consultation process and how quickly the treatment was from start to finish.
Temporary veneers are often stuck to the front of your teeth, so you'll need to care for them properly to make sure your natural teeth beneath are thriving, too. Brush twice a day and floss if you're able to, and avoid eating anything that might loosen the adhesive and cause them to fall off prematurely. Avoid drinking too much coffee or eating foods that stain, and avoid smoking where possible.
Porcelain veneers aren't too high maintenance, so often your dentist will simply tell you to brush twice a day and floss daily. We'll want to see you every six months for a check-up and teeth cleaning, and here we'll be able to advise you on whether there's anything else you need to do. We recommend not chewing anything too hard, like pens or your fingernails, and avoid super sticky foods that could damage the porcelain and weaken it over time.
Both temporary and porcelain veneers are super helpful when you're looking to fix your smile, but they both come with very different purposes. Temporary veneers are only meant to be worn for a short period of time so you can decide whether veneers are right for you, while porcelain veneers are permanent and will need replacing every couple of decades. If you're excited to start your new smile journey, why not book a dental consultation with us today to see whether veneers are the best next step?
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