A cosmetic dentist explains what to expect when getting veneers

Your guide to a new smile.

If you, like me, have at one point ended up on the ‘Turkey teeth’ side of TikTok, cosmetic dental work might feel a little terrifying. It conjures images of teeth shaved into shark-like nubs and blindingly white, ‘reality TV’ crowns. The cut-price procedures are often (not always) dangerous and invasive, leaving patients with risky chompers and, in worst-case scenarios, serious complications.

While they’re often mistaken for the same procedure, veneers are not the same as crowns. Requiring no shaving or permanent face-altering, veneers describe a wafer-thin superficial shell layer that is placed over the tooth to improve overall aesthetics. And for those who have struggled with their smile in the past, they can provide a huge confidence boost.

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Dr Kia Pajouhesh is one of the many qualified cosmetic dentists who offer veneers in Melbourne. He founded Smile Solutions in 1993, a leading clinic that has recently become one of the first Australian practices to offer same-day veneers. Below, Dr Kia answers your need-to-know questions about the process of getting veneers.

Can you please talk us through what veneers actually are?



Veneers are a thin shell layer that is placed on your natural teeth to improve their overall aesthetics by changing the size, shape, position, colour and texture of your teeth. Veneers are either porcelain (ceramic), which is the preferred method for best cosmetic enhancement, or composite resin (plastic). Typically, porcelain veneers are fabricated over a period of weeks.

How can you prepare for your veneer appointments?

The length of your appointment depends on how many veneers you are getting, and the difficulty level of your case. Most of the preparation for same-day veneers happens in the planning phase with your cosmetic dentist and master ceramist, who work collaboratively with you to design the perfect smile for your face, your lifestyle and your expectations.

Once the design phase is complete, your cosmetic dentist will show you a mock-up of your new smile, so you can provide input on the size, shape and colour of your new smile. On the big day, patients can wear comfy clothes and aren’t required to bring anything special to their appointment. Patients typically arrive at 8am and finish by 4pm.

What should you expect during your appointment?

On the day, same-day veneer patients undergo the teeth preparation appointment in the morning and return in the early afternoon for a dress rehearsal to try in the veneers before they are permanently fitted.

Can you break down the costs associated with veneers?

The cost of a same-day porcelain veneer smile makeover can vary depending on how many veneers you are getting and the presenting condition of your teeth. At Smile Solutions, prices range from $14,995 to $19,995 for six, eight or 10 hand-crafted porcelain veneers with no-interest payment plans available.

While all porcelain veneers are a significant investment… [we do] not inflate the prices for the same-day service in comparison to their traditional porcelain veneers.

Who is suited to the veneer process? Who should avoid veneers?

Veneers are best suited to people who have issues with the size, shape, position, colour and text of their teeth. As a general rule, if someone had two or more substantial concerns with the categories listed above, then porcelain veneers are definitely worth serious consideration.

People are advised to not jump into veneers if their teeth size, shape and texture are good, but they are only wanting veneers to improve the positioning of misaligned teeth and/or the colour shade of their teeth. This can be fixed with simpler and less expensive procedures such as Invisalign and teeth whitening.

Anything else to add?

Same-day porcelain veneers are a revolutionary service that removes the hassle of temporary veneers, which are typically time-consuming and socially isolating for patients. Choosing same-day porcelain veneers over traditional veneers with temporaries means you can avoid unnecessary discomfort with temporary teeth falling out or breaking, multiple local anaesthetic injections, lost time and additional travel expenses.

You can expect 30 to 40 per cent less time in the dental chair, which is great for those who are anxious, time-poor, or suffer from jaw pain when they have long sessions in the dental chair.

For more on veneers, head here.