If you’re thinking about getting veneers in Perth, WA, you’re probably not chasing a fake-looking, blindingly white smile. You want teeth that look like yours — just straighter, brighter, and more balanced. That’s where a smile-focused cosmetic dentist comes in. At Connolly Dental, veneers are planned with both science and artistry, using technology like Digital Smile Design to map out how your new smile will work with your facial features, lips, and natural tooth shade.
Modern veneers can be a fantastic option if you’re dealing with worn edges, chipped front teeth, uneven shapes, gaps, stubborn discolouration, or mild crowding. Whether you’re considering porcelain veneers, composite veneers, or a full smile makeover, the goal is the same: a confident smile that still feels like you. Below, we’ll walk through how veneers work, the difference between porcelain and composite, who makes a good candidate, what the veneers procedure looks like, how much veneers typically cost, and how to look after them long-term.
What Are Dental Veneers & How Do They Transform Your Smile?
Dental veneers are ultra-thin layers of material that are bonded to the front surface of your teeth. Think of them as a custom shell that sits on top of your natural tooth to improve its colour, shape, size, and overall appearance. Veneers are typically used on the front teeth that show when you smile, and they’re one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments for a fast, dramatic, yet natural-looking smile enhancement. They’re often part of a broader smile makeover, sometimes combined with teeth whitening, gum contouring, or orthodontic treatment like Invisalign.
Veneers can correct several issues at once: discolouration that doesn’t respond well to whitening, small gaps between teeth, worn or short teeth, slightly crooked teeth, and teeth that are uneven or misshapen. If you’ve ever looked at veneers before and after photos and thought, “How do they get the teeth to look so even but not fake?” — that balance comes down to careful planning, colour matching, and shaping. With tools such as digital smile design veneers, your dentist can preview how your new smile will look relative to your facial structure, giving you more confidence in the final result.
Depending on your goals and dental condition, you may choose porcelain veneers, composite veneers, no-prep veneers, or minimal-prep veneers. These options all aim to protect tooth structure while giving you that “instant smile makeover” feel, but they do it in slightly different ways, which we’ll break down below.
Porcelain vs Composite Veneers: Which Option Is Best for You?
One of the first decisions you’ll make on your veneers journey is whether to choose porcelain veneers or composite veneers. Both can deliver a beautiful result, but they differ in durability, treatment time, and cost. Porcelain veneers are crafted in a dental lab from a high-strength ceramic material. They’re known for their lifelike translucency, stain resistance, and long-term strength. When bonded properly, porcelain veneers can last many years with good home care and regular dental check-ups. They’re often recommended for patients seeking a comprehensive, long-term cosmetic solution and a highly polished, natural-looking finish.
Composite veneers, on the other hand, are made from composite resin (similar to modern white fillings) and are usually applied directly to the teeth in a single appointment. This makes them appealing for people looking for a faster or more budget-friendly option. Composite can be layered and sculpted tooth by tooth, then polished to a smooth, glossy finish. While composite veneers can look fantastic, they generally don’t last as long as porcelain and may be more prone to staining or needing maintenance over time.
If you’re trying to choose between porcelain and composite veneers, it helps to think about how long you.expect the result to last, how much you’d like to invest, and how much change you’re aiming for. Porcelain is usually the go-to option for a major smile makeover, especially for front teeth veneers, severe discolouration, or when you want maximum durability. Composite can be great for “test drive” veneers, smaller touch-ups, or conservative cosmetic improvements where minimal prep veneers are preferred. A cosmetic dentist will walk you through the pros, cons, and likely veneer replacement timeline for each material so you can make an informed decision.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Veneers?
Veneers are versatile, but they’re not ideal for everyone. The best candidates for veneers generally have healthy teeth and gums, good oral hygiene, and realistic expectations about what veneers can and can’t do. Veneers are excellent for people who have aesthetic concerns such as permanently discoloured teeth, small gaps, mildly crooked teeth, worn edges, or enamel that’s chipped and making the smile look uneven. Veneers for gaps are particularly popular; instead of braces, small spaces between front teeth can often be closed visually using carefully shaped veneers.
Veneers can help if you’re dealing with teeth that are slightly rotated or out of line. Veneers for crooked teeth may be an option when the misalignment is mild and mostly aesthetic, not severely affecting your bite. In more complex cases, a dentist may recommend orthodontic treatment like Invisalign first, then porcelain veneers or composite veneers for final refinements. This combined approach can give you a stable bite plus a polished, symmetrical smile.
Some people worry that they’ll have to file their teeth down to “pegs” to get veneers. Modern techniques focus on preserving as much natural enamel as possible. Minimal prep veneers or even no-prep veneers may be available when your existing tooth shape and position allow for it. There are also situations where veneers aren’t the first-choice option — for example, if you have large existing fillings, active decay, gum disease, or heavy clenching and grinding. In those cases, your dentist might suggest alternative treatments, such as crowns, orthodontics, or a combination of general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry first, before considering veneers.
The Veneer Procedure: From Consultation to Final Smile
The veneers procedure usually starts with a detailed consultation and smile assessment. Your dentist will discuss your concerns, review your dental history, and examine your teeth, gums, and bite. Photos, digital scans, or impressions may be taken to plan your new smile. With technologies like digital smile design, you can often see a computer simulation showing how veneers could change your teeth before anything is done. This step is hugely helpful if you’re nervous or still deciding how many teeth to treat as part of your smile makeover.
For porcelain veneers, the next visit typically involves preparing the teeth. This may include a very small amount of enamel removal to make space for the veneer so it looks natural and not bulky. Impressions or scans are then sent to a dental lab where your custom veneers are created. While you wait, you’ll usually wear temporary veneers that mimic the planned shape and size, giving you a preview of your new smile in everyday life. At the final appointment, the dentist checks the fit, shape, and colour, makes any necessary adjustments, and then permanently bonds the veneers using strong dental cement.
Composite veneers can often be completed in just one visit. The dentist carefully cleans and lightly prepares the teeth, applies bonding agents, then sculpts the composite material directly on each tooth. The resin is cured with a special light and polished until it has a smooth, natural shine. Whether you’re getting composite or porcelain, a high-quality veneers procedure includes fine-tuning your bite, checking that you can chew and speak comfortably, and making sure the veneers feel like they truly belong in your mouth, not like foreign objects stuck on your teeth.
Cost of Veneers & Factors That Influence Pricing
When people start researching veneers, cost is usually one of the first questions. Veneers pricing can vary widely depending on the material (porcelain veneers versus composite veneers), how many teeth are being treated, the complexity of the case, and the level of planning involved. Porcelain veneers generally cost more per tooth than composite because they require custom lab work, multiple appointments, and more technical steps. However, they also tend to last longer and resist staining better, so the investment is spread over more years.
Composite veneers typically have a lower upfront cost since they’re applied directly in the practice and don’t involve lab fabrication. That said, they may require more frequent maintenance, repairs, or eventual veneer replacement due to wear, chipping, or staining. When you see “veneers cost” advertised online, keep in mind that those figures may click here not take your individual needs into account. You might also need additional treatments like gum contouring, teeth whitening (especially for non-veneered teeth), or replacement of old fillings to get the most harmonious result.
A proper quote for dental veneers cost is usually given after a thorough consultation, examination, and discussion of options. It’s also important to understand what’s included in the fee: diagnostics, planning, temporary veneers, follow-up visits, adjustments, and so on. While veneers are mostly considered a cosmetic dentistry treatment, many patients view them as a long-term investment in confidence, social comfort, and even career opportunities. Talking openly with your dentist about budget and priorities will help tailor the treatment plan to what makes sense for you, rather than forcing you into a one-size-fits-all package.
Caring for Your Veneers: Longevity, Maintenance, and Lifestyle Tips
Once your veneers are in place, the next goal is to keep them looking and feeling great for as long as possible. The good news is that caring for veneers is very similar to caring for natural teeth: brush twice daily with a soft toothbrush, floss once a day, and keep up with your regular dental check-ups and professional cleans. While porcelain veneers are highly stain-resistant, the natural teeth around them can still discolour over time, which is why some people combine veneers with teeth whitening or periodic touch-ups on untreated teeth for a consistent look.
To protect both composite veneers and porcelain veneers, it’s wise to avoid habits that put excessive force on your teeth: chewing ice, biting nails, opening packets with your teeth, or crunching very hard foods on your front teeth. If you have a history of clenching or grinding (bruxism), your dentist may recommend a custom night guard to protect your veneers and natural teeth while you sleep. This is especially important for people who have had a full smile makeover or multiple front teeth veneers, since those areas tend to bear more visible cosmetic responsibility.
Over time, some maintenance may be required. Composite veneers may need polishing, minor repairs, or partial replacement if they chip or lose their shine. Porcelain veneers are more stable but can still need veneer replacement in the long term, especially if gums recede or if trauma occurs (like a sports injury). Good oral hygiene, regular professional care, and open communication with your dentist about any sensitivity or changes will go a long way in keeping your veneers looking fresh. Ultimately, veneers are a partnership between you and your dental team: they create the result, and your day-to-day habits help preserve it.
NAP (Name, Address, Phone)
Connolly Dental
Shop 4/1 Glenelg Pl, Connolly WA 6027, Australia
Phone: +61 8 9515 8907