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Composite veneers use tooth-coloured resin built directly on the tooth surface. The number of visits and amount of preparation depend on your individual circumstances.
Composite resin is applied, shaped, cured and polished to change the appearance of selected teeth. Preparation may be needed, and any removal of enamel is irreversible. Removal of a veneer does not necessarily return a tooth to its original condition.
Composite can stain, chip and wear. Maintenance, repair or replacement may be needed, and results vary.
Composite is one of two veneer options we offer. To compare composite and porcelain, see our overview of veneers in Canberra.
Composite bonding uses the same tooth-coloured resin as composite veneers, applied to part of a tooth rather than the whole front surface. It is often used to:
Your dentist matches the shade, bonds the resin to the tooth, then shapes and polishes it, usually in a single visit with little or no drilling. At Civic Gentle Dental Care, composite veneers start from $700 per tooth. Smaller bonding repairs are quoted after your dentist has examined the tooth.
Like all dental treatment, bonding has risks and limits: resin can stain or chip, and it is not suitable for every tooth. Your dentist will check whether bonding, a composite veneer or another option suits you.
Composite bonding usually repairs or reshapes part of a tooth, such as a chipped edge or a small gap. A composite veneer covers the whole front surface of the tooth. Both use tooth-coloured resin that is shaped and polished in the chair.
At Civic Gentle Dental Care, composite veneers start from $700 per tooth. Smaller bonding repairs are quoted after your dentist has examined the tooth.
Bonding usually needs little or no removal of tooth structure, so many patients do not need an injection. Your dentist will talk you through what to expect for your teeth.
Bonding can last several years with good care. Resin can stain or chip over time, and it may need polishing, repair or replacement. Regular check-ups help keep it looking its best.
Small bonding repairs are usually done in a single visit after an assessment. Your dentist will explain the plan and cost before treatment starts.
Suitability requires assessment of your teeth, gums and bite. Discuss the benefits, risks, costs, maintenance and alternatives, including no cosmetic treatment. Composite veneers should not be treated as a risk-free trial for porcelain veneers.
Your dentist will explain the proposed steps and estimated appointments after assessment. Treatment duration varies.
We assess the teeth, bite and your goals, and discuss honestly whether composite or porcelain suits your case. Heavy grinders and patients wanting a significant shade change are often better served by porcelain.
Composite does not lighten with whitening gel. If whitening is on the table at all, we do it first so the resin is matched to your final tooth colour rather than your current one.
Resin shades are selected in natural light and the shape, length and edge detail agreed before starting. Bring a photograph if you have a look in mind.
Under isolation, the resin is layered onto the tooth and sculpted directly, then each layer light-cured.
The veneer is contoured, the bite checked and adjusted, and the surface polished to a natural lustre. You see the finished result the same day.
We explain what stains composite, what to avoid in the first forty-eight hours, and how often to return for repolishing.
Composite veneers have risks and limitations that should be discussed before treatment.
Risks and limitations
Aftercare
Follow your dentist’s individual instructions. Eating, speech and comfort may take time to adjust. Ask about review appointments, maintenance and whether a night splint is appropriate.
Lifespan and repair needs vary with the condition of the teeth, bite, oral hygiene and other factors. Ask your dentist about likely maintenance, repair and replacement costs.
Composite veneers are not always reversible. Preparation or removal can alter the underlying tooth. Ask your dentist what would be involved in your particular case.
Yes, more than natural enamel and considerably more than porcelain. Coffee, tea, red wine and smoking are the main contributors.
Regular professional repolishing restores much of the original appearance, and we will set a realistic maintenance interval for you.
It depends on budget, how much change you want and whether you grind. Composite suits smaller corrections and lower budgets; porcelain suits larger changes and patients wanting longevity and stain resistance.
We would rather set out the trade-off honestly than steer you toward the more expensive option by default.
Your dentist can assess your oral health and discuss the proposed treatment, expected benefits, risks, limitations and alternatives. Outcomes and comfort vary between individuals.
We offer interest-free payment plans to help make your treatment more manageable.
*Subject to finance approval, fees and charged
Looking to explore more Cosmetic Dentistry or oral health options?
You may also be interested in:
Ceramic shells offering greater durability and stain resistance.
Digital previews of proposed changes.
Lightening natural tooth structure, best done before composite work.
Restore your teeth with durable, natural-looking fillings that blend seamlessly with your smile.
Considering composite veneers?
Book a consultation at Civic Gentle Dental Care in Canberra City to see whether composite is the right option for your case.
