Porcelain veneers are a minimally invasive cosmetic dental procedure that can instantly mask discolouration, chipped, crooked and gapped teeth to give you bright, beautiful smile. If you are interested in enhancing your smile, read on to learn more about porcelain veneers and how much porcelain veneers cost.
What are Porcelain Dental Veneers?
Porcelain dental veneers consist of a thin ceramic shell that is placed over the front of your tooth to disguise cosmetic dental flaws. They are typically placed on the upper teeth in the front of your mouth. These teeth are called the social six since they affect the appearance of your smile the most.
The ceramic material offers the most natural-looking style of dental veneers as the ceramic has an opalescence that is similar to the lustre of natural teeth. Porcelain veneers are less prone to staining and last longer than composite veneers.
Porcelain veneers are a permanent cosmetic restoration that cannot be removed except by your dentist. With proper care, veneers can last up to 20 years. They will need to be replaced eventually due to the changes in the structure of your mouth and natural wear and tear.
How Much Do Porcelain Veneers Cost?
Dental veneers are a more affordable option for correcting cosmetic dental flaws than many other types of cosmetic dental procedures, but the price of dental veneers varies according to a variety of different factors.
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The Dentist’s Experience
The quality of your dental veneers depends on the skill level of your dentist. Experienced dentists often charge more per tooth as they are highly skilled and can help you achieve better results.
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Location
The cost of your veneers can also depend on where the dentist is located. Dental practices in the city often price their treatments higher, while rural and suburban dental practices can offer dental veneers at lower prices.
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The Number of Teeth
The price of dental veneers is usually calculated per tooth. In most cases, only one or two teeth require porcelain dental veneers rather than the entire arch. The dentist will match the porcelain dental veneers to the shade of your other teeth, so they blend in seamlessly and look completely natural.
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Tooth Preparation
In some cases, you dentist may need to prepare your teeth before applying the veneers including a professional cleaning to remove tartar, restorative work such as fillings, and a small amount of enamel grinding to make room for the porcelain veneers.
The more treatments required in preparation for your veneers, the higher the porcelain veneers cost.
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Complementary Treatments
For patients who only need one or two porcelain veneers, they often choose to get additional complementary cosmetic treatments such as professional teeth whitening to brighten their entire smile. This can increase the overall cost of treatment.
Does Medicare Cover Porcelain Veneers?
Medicare does not cover cosmetic dental procedures, including dental veneers. However, some patients may be candidates for subsidised dental treatment through government funded assistance schemes. Check your state government’s website to find out whether you are eligible.
Does Private Health Insurance Cover Dental Veneers?
Whether your healthcare provider covers you depends on your policy and the level of coverage offered. Most private health insurance plans provide dental coverage as part of your extras, but this may not include cosmetic dental procedures like dental veneers.
Check with your provider and policy before getting veneers to see what type of coverage you have and whether you’re able to upgrade to a more comprehensive plan. There may be waiting periods if you change your policy which means that you will be unable to claim back the price of porcelain veneers immediately.
Procedure for Porcelain Veneers
At Southern Smiles Dental, we offer high-quality porcelain veneers by experienced dentists to give you the smile of your dreams. The procedure begins with dental x-rays to determine whether there are any underlying dental issues, then we prepare your teeth for the veneers.
First, a small amount of enamel is removed from your tooth to allow the porcelain veneers to fit comfortably in line with your natural teeth. Then we take a dental impression which is sent to an off-site laboratory to be used to create your permanent veneers. We will fit you for a set of temporary veneers to wear while you wait. After 2-3 weeks your permanent veneers will be ready to be fitted.
Final Word
Porcelain veneers are an excellent procedure to straighten and whiten your smile. But it is essential to carefully consider the cost of porcelain veneers before deciding to undergo treatment.
To learn more about how porcelain veneers can improve your smile, and our pricing schedule, call Southern Smiles Dental on (02) 8503 9902 to talk with our friendly and professional staff and let us give you the smile you always wanted.
