Why porcelain, and why it costs more
Porcelain is the material we reach for most often, and for good reason: it mimics the way natural enamel reflects light, resists staining for decades, and holds its shade long after composite would need refreshing. It costs more than composite because it's made to a different standard, crafted individually in a lab from photographs, scans and a plan we design with you first.
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What is a porcelain veneer?
A porcelain veneer is a thin, custom-milled shell bonded to the front of a tooth, built from ceramic that's shaded and shaped to match, or improve on, your natural teeth. Unlike composite, which is sculpted in the chair, porcelain is fabricated by a dental ceramist working from your case file, then bonded in a second appointment once you've approved the design.
The trade-off for that extra step is longevity and finish: porcelain resists staining from coffee, red wine and tobacco far better than composite or natural enamel, and with proper care lasts over 20 years.
How porcelain veneers work
From smile analysis to the final bond, every step is planned and previewed before any tooth is touched.
Consultation & Smile Analysis
We assess your teeth, face and smile proportions using photos, X-rays and video, then plan shape, size and shade for each veneer.
Digital Smile Design Test-Drive
Before any tooth is touched, you preview your new smile from every angle and approve the design.
Minimal Preparation
A thin layer of enamel, generally less than 1/8th of a millimetre, is prepared to make room for the veneer. This step is virtually painless.
Lab Fabrication
Your veneers are crafted in an Australian lab to the approved design, typically over one to two weeks, while you wear a temporary.
Fit & Bond
Each veneer is checked for fit and shade, bonded in place, and cured under light so it holds firmly from day one.
Porcelain veneer pricing
from $80/weekBespoke, so cost depends on how many teeth are treated. Payment plans run from $80 per week; your full out-of-pocket cost is confirmed at consultation.
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*Please only use this information as a guide. The payment plan is subject to approval and the cost varies for each individual based on the complexity of the case. The amount stated is calculated at the longest repayment period. For accurate costing, we would need to do an examination and assessment of your teeth by a clinician at your initial consultation appointment. Price list is as of 31st of August 2023. It may be subject to change at any given time and notice.
Digital smile design lets you approve your result before any porcelain is fabricated.
Your veneers are milled locally to our specification, not a generic offshore template.
With proper care, porcelain veneers commonly last 20 years or more.
The same cosmetic dentists who design your smile also fit it, so nothing is lost in translation to a lab technician you'll never meet.
Consider reading, before you decide.
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Porcelain Veneers questions? We are glad you asked.
Everything patients ask us about porcelain veneers before booking.
With proper care and regular check-ups, porcelain veneers commonly last over 20 years.
Porcelain is far more stain-resistant than natural enamel or composite. It's unlikely to change colour over time, though surrounding untreated teeth can still stain, which is worth discussing at consultation if you're only treating a few teeth.
No, the enamel reduction is minimal and painless, though we can discuss sedation options if you're a nervous patient.
Porcelain is lab-fabricated over one to two visits and lasts longer with better stain resistance; composite is hand-sculpted in a single visit and costs less. We'll recommend the right fit for your goals and budget.
No, porcelain doesn't respond to whitening gel. If you want your veneers lighter, they need to be replaced. This is one reason we plan shade carefully upfront.
Brush and floss as normal twice daily with a soft-bristled brush; avoid biting very hard foods (ice, hard lollies) or using your teeth as tools; wear a night guard if you grind; keep up six-monthly check-ups so we can catch any lifting or wear early; and avoid harsh whitening toothpaste, which won't lighten porcelain but can dull the surrounding natural teeth unevenly.
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