Ahhh the question on everybody’s lips. I feel like this is something that everyone kind of knows a little bit about but want more clarification. I get it. You’ve done some research on veneers. You’ve looked into it. But you’re just not sure which is right for you. Let's dig deep into the research together and explore some factors to consider between composite resin veneers and porcelain veneers, including my own experience with both!

We are almost always drawn to the "cheaper" option - composite veneers . I certainly know that I was! I had x4 porcelain veneers and x4 composite veneers previously done before I saw Dr Dee. My decision was purely based on cost. I didn’t realise how different they actually were. Through my research, I was aware that composite veneers had a life span of anywhere between 2-5 years (1), whereas porcelain can live beyond 15 years if done correctly (2). I considered this, then muttered to my broke self, mmm I’ll just worry about what happens in 2-5 years! Surely I’ll have more money then to replace my composites with porcelain… 

But first, what does life span actually mean for veneers? There are few situations to consider when you hear veneers longevity, all of which are dependent not only on the material, but also on your natural teeth and even your lifestyle.

The first is stain resistance. Veneers are often a cosmetic procedure. Failing to provide desired aesthetics - like having a stain-free smile - could mean that your veneers need to be replaced. This is actually one of the most common reasons for replacing composite veneers. (3) In this round, porcelain and composite resin are competing on their material properties. Composite resin is a porous material which is more prone to staining. (4) Porcelain, in contrast, is incredibly stain resistant. (5) This factor may be more important to you if you regularly smoke, drink red wine or consume other staining foods or drinks.

The second is mechanical strength. Depending on your eating habits and grinding habits, chipping could be high on your list of concerns. While composite resin technology has advanced significantly in the last decade, especially in its physical properties, porcelain still has the advantage in this round. Porcelain is less prone to chipping or wear damage. (6)

Finally, detachment or breakage. The first thing to understand about this KO event is that, in this area, proper technique and the skill of your practitioner is more influential than the material. (7) However, there is a major difference between the two materials. Porcelain veneers cannot be repaired; they must be replaced. Composite resin, on the other hand, can be repaired depending on the situation. But keep in mind that porcelain is still much stronger. 

Back to my experience: I just got my veneers and I was ecstatic. As I took my first selfies, and grinning every chance I could, I can honestly say I was very happy with my veneers, both porcelain and composite. But as the days turned into months and the months became a year - and the amount of coffee I ingested started to pile up - the differentiation became more noticeable. Can you spot the difference?

Please note: This was not done at Vogue Dental Studios - to read that story start here.

It had only been 1 year of my having them in this photo. Notice how the composite veneers have stained around the edges whereas the porcelain were as white since the day I got them? If that was only 1 year worth of staining, what would it have been like in a couple of years? At that thought, I now saw my frugal decision in a different light.

Speaking as a patient myself, you don’t really pay that much attention to aesthetics until it’s in your mouth, on your face, and time has gone by. Prior to my treatment, I just did not realise how different they would look. Don't get me wrong - at first, my veneers (both types) looked amazing. I mean, anything is better than what I hard originally, right? Upon closer examination, and looking at my smile every day, I started to notice that my composites were much bulkier. Then, as I learned more about the material differences, I could spot more distinctions in my smile as well.

Why is there such a visual difference between the two? That gets down to their materials. Porcelain veneers are made from, well, porcelain. Composite veneers, sometimes also called composite bonding, is made from a composite resin. This means both how it looks and the texture of how it feels (if your run your tongue over it) are very different. 

Let's bust some myths! Both porcelain and composite veneers can have a wide range of colouring and shading. Both porcelain veneers and composites can be layered with varying colours and translucency to mimic natural teeth. However, each material has its own limitations. 

One big factor that makes teeth look "natural", and one that is often requested by patients, is incisal translucency. Our natural teeth are made up of layers. The outer layer, enamel, is more translucent than the inner layer, dentin. (8) This layering is what produces those slight translucent wisps at the edge of our teeth. Naturally, this also differs from person to person. Porcelain has a known reputation for reproducing this effect very well. In the last decade, major advancements have arrived for composite resin, including its aesthetic properties and translucencies that can be achieved with resin. Despite this, porcelain is still unmatched in this aspect. (9)

Next, let's talk about texture. Porcelain is a smooth material. This surface texture not only makes porcelain incredibly stain-resistant, it is also very similar to the texture of your natural teeth. In contrast, composite resin is a porous material. In order to better match natural teeth, composite resin must be polished as the final step. (10) This difference in surface roughness has a big effect on aesthetics, primarily influencing a veneer's light-reflecting lustre. Or in other words, its glossiness. Even with polishing, composite cannot match porcelain in this instance. (11)

Another factor that is often overlooked is the fact that porcelain veneers and composite veneers require different preparations and different procedures. If you are planning to travel for your new smile, or if you need to coordinate with an important event, advanced planning is going to be essential.

One thing that I personally broadcast frequently to our patients, and to the world, is that porcelain veneers are an irreversible procedure. While minimal shaving is a possibility for some, teeth shaving is likely a requirement in preparation for porcelain veneers. Even when only minimal shaving is required, the surface of your teeth will still need to be roughened in order to attach the porcelain veneers securely. This cannot be undone. Given the gravity of porcelain veneers, their procedure is longer with both more work and more people involved.

Porcelain veneers are generally done over multiple appointments, typically spanning weeks. (Check out our step-by-step guide for the smile makeover process.) First, alternative options are always explored in a consultation. This is a crucial first step where you and your dentist discuss the options available to you based on your requirements and goals. If you are still sure that you want to proceed, records of your teeth are taken so that an accurate mould can be made for the creation of your veneers. 

From there, temporary veneers are made, prior the final ones, based on the records and designed according to your goals. Your teeth will be prepped and the temporaries will be placed while your final veneers are in production. Temporaries are important because you have the opportunity to actually try the veneers for some time. This is a good test to see if the veneers achieve your goals and if any adjustments need to be made. You can see what it feels like to eat, talk, and laugh with them; you can even get input from friends and family before finalising your new smile. 

With porcelain veneers, every veneer is made by hand in a laboratory by a qualified technician. There is usually some back and forth between the dentist, the technician, and you, the patient in collaboration to create the best result for you. The additional time and trials give you every opportunity to adjust and tweak your new smile in just the way you like. Take it from me, it's very hard to imagine a different smile for yourself until it's actually on you! 

Finally, when both you and your dentist are happy to proceed, your finalised veneers are placed. Even at this stage, alterations can be made before they are finally glued on or cemented. 

In contrast, composite resin veneers can be done in one appointment, often on-the-spot by just your dentist. This type of composite veneers are sometimes called direct composite veneers, as the resin is directly placed on your teeth and then sculpted as required. For this reason, composite veneers are often noted as non-invasive. They usually do not require changing your underlying tooth. However, this will depend on your situation and your goals. Remember incisal translucency from above? That may be particularly difficult to achieve with non-invasive composites, as your natural teeth are just behind the veneer. 

Lastly, composite veneers are typically shaped by your dentist during the appointment. That leads us to...

Veneers are really a form of artistry. Give me the exact same paintbrush, paint and canvas, and I could not produce the Mona Lisa. We can't compare porcelain and composite resin as options without discussing what is arguably the biggest factor - the people involved in making your veneers! In both cases, the knowledge, experience, and skill of your dentist, technicians and support staff will influence your experience greatly. 

With composite veneers, your dentist will be the one to sculpt and layer your veneers. This means they have to have to be proficient with the artistic skills used in sculpting in addition to all the clinical skills required to be a dentist. 

For porcelain veneers, both your dentist and the technician play a role in the creation of your veneers. Here, the technician must be an expert in working with ceramics in dental veneers, while your dentist must be a master of placement and facial aesthetics. 

In both cases, experience is key. When you are researching, look for a portfolio of work specific to your provider. Previous examples of their work will help you determine what to expect. And referencing previous cases is also a great to communicate exactly what you want to achieve aesthetically. 

Additionally, in all our discussion above, we are talking about the most recent, cutting-edge materials and techniques in cosmetic and restorative dentistry. Like in any field, look for professionals that keep up to date with industry advancements.

With all of that out of the way, we can see why the cost differs between the two. Composite veneers can cost between $300 to $900 per tooth. Porcelain veneers range anywhere from $1500 to $3500 per tooth. As always, the price does vary between providers. The jump in price for porcelain has to do with the cost of the material, additional skilled work, additional appointments for adjustments, and more control over the final result (with re-dos and previews). In addition, the shorter longevity of composites means more future visits to your dentist. If we add everything up, it is no longer clear which one is actually the "cheaper" option. 

As of today, I opted for all porcelain veneers. Longevity was definitely a big priority for me after my initial experience. And I just couldn't say no to the aesthetics that porcelain veneers offered!

At the end of the day, each option has their own pros and cons. Composites have a shorter lifespan, can be done faster, and is an affordable option. Porcelain has longer longevity, with superior aesthetic qualities, and involves more appointments for greater control. While it's hard to balance these factors, never forget that the person making the final decision is you! Take your time while doing research and look for previous work by your dentist to set your expectations.

A deep dive into the research & real talk from someone who's gotten both.

Composite vs Porcelain: The Showdown

There seems to have always been a stigma against the process of getting porcelain veneers. One of the most common questions patients tend to ask is: Will my teeth be shaved into tiny tic tacs? Well thanks to modern advances in technology, this is not necessarily the case.

First, let's discuss why grinding down natural teeth is needed in the first place. Number one is to make space for the veneer. The minimal thickness of a porcelain veneer is realistically 0.5mm. (1) While thinner veneers can be made, their translucency becomes a drawback. That leads us to number two - desired aesthetics. We find that to achieve a natural look involves hand-layering porcelain which varies its thickness, just like natural teeth. In addition, to achieve incisal translucency (those translucent wisps at the bottom edge) which mimics natural teeth, a strategic incisal reduction is required. (2) Finally, number three, to make space for precise placement. (1) We've all seen veneers that are just a little too bulky, touching each other at the wrong place, with an unnatural gum line. The placement of veneers is crucial and incredibly precise. Sometimes, space needs to be made to achieve a precise result.

People often believe that in order to get the porcelain added, their teeth will need to be trimmed back into fangs. Well I’ve put together a little guide on what the contributing factors are to how much teeth needs to be shaved:

Straight teeth / Small gappy teeth / Teeth that sit back

Patients with straight or small gappy teeth or teeth that sit back, often don’t need to have any shaving done and the veneers will sit successfully onto your existing teeth. The surface of your tooth, however, will be prepped in order to allow the veneers to grip securely on.

Sandor, for example, did not need teeth filing for his Picasso Porcelain Veneers™️. Ten veneers were placed in total to achieve his smile makeover.

His teeth were already relatively straight, and where there was variation, the teeth were sitting back. This allowed veneers to be placed with minimal prep. 

If your teeth are slightly crooked then there is a chance you will need minimal shaving for the veneers to sit flush and straight on your smile line. The surface of your tooth will also be prepped in order to allow the veneers to grip securely on.

Big Teeth / Crooked teeth / Teeth that sit forward

If you have bigger teeth and want the size of your teeth reduced, it goes without saying that your teeth will be prepped more than others.

If you have crooked teeth or teeth that sit forward, we would always offer an alternative option before considering veneers. These options (such as braces, Invisalign or even jaw surgery) will be presented to you first as the recommended solution for your smile. If you’re still adamant that you want veneers because you don’t like the shapes or colour of your teeth (which, unfortunately, braces cannot fix), then we can further explore that route. The dentist will ensure that you are made fully aware that if you have crooked or protruding teeth, your teeth will require some shaving.

Even when this is the case, the amount of prep is different for each tooth, depending on its initial shape and position and the desired shape and position. Below, we have a patient who had already undergone Invisalign to straighten her teeth, then electing for 4 porcelain veneers to reach her desired smile line. In the middle row, the left half of the smile shows prepped (or shaved) teeth, and the right half shows the final placement of the porcelain veneers. As seen, the amount of prep defers between each tooth. The final shape of the chosen veneer also played a factor, especially the desired amount of incisal translucency. 

Despite what type of smile you currently have, porcelain veneers is an invasive procedure and often irreversible. We generally advise that you go to many clinics, get different quotes and do extensive research on what you want. The dentist you see should also have an array of before and after photos for you to reference as well as the knowledge and experience to give you the result that you’ve always desired.

So what does it feel like? More often than not, for your comfort, your will be numbed up during the procedure. Having gone through the journey myself, you actually don’t feel anything during the prep when you have local anaesthetic. If your temporary veneers happen to fall off after you leave the surgery (see my blog on what not to eat when you have temporary veneers for my experience here), you are most likely going to experience some teeth sensitivity or nothing at all. There shouldn’t be any pain, just minor discomfort and annoyance. Some patients do not require any numbing at all in which case. If you fall into this category, it is because the dentist believes you will be in any tenderness or discomfort.

Many factors will contribute to the duration of your prep appointment. This includes what type of smile you have to begin with, how many teeth you want veneered and if you already have restorative work done (veneers or crowns done elsewhere). If you have existing veneers or crowns, the length of your prep will be much longer as it does take a while to meticulously remove the existing porcelain or composite.

As with many of my blogs I end with the classic advice of: do your research. You wouldn’t by a car without some indication of what brand you want (say, a Mercedes or a Toyota), what type (a convertible or SUV), how much you can spend and more importantly if you wanted to buy from a dealership or off gumtree. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and as always, seek a second opinion from a qualified health care professional. As with results, preps can vary from patient to patient. All minor and major procedures have their risks and benefits. Good luck!

What does it feel like? And how do you know if you need it?

Do my teeth need to be shaved in order to get veneers?

One of the most common questions asked by our patients that are going on their porcelain veneer smile makeover journey is, “What can and can’t I eat when on temporary veneers?”

I, myself, had fallen victim to this. Though I work at a dental practice and had the inside knowledge of what I can and can’t do, unfortunately I could not resist the old pork with pork crackling Banh Mi. 🤤

When I bit into that succulent, crunchy and juicy roll, I had immediately cracked off six of my ten temporary veneers which had then revealed my prepped teeth below, 3 hours before I was meant to attend a birthday party. Upon swallowing some of my temps, I felt what many patients no doubt feel in that very moment – panic. Not only did I feel like a complete fool because I knew I wasn’t meant to eat that and I should have known better, but that incident had inspired me to write this blog so my fellow patients are informed enough to make their own dietary decisions.  

So, what can you eat and what can't you eat when wearing your temporary veneers?

Whilst wearing your temps, we advise that you should be extra-wary about the foods you choose to consume. Your temps, are of course, just temporary whilst your final veneers are being made. The temps are there to cover your prepped teeth below and they are easily damaged and can become loose when you eat. The listed foods to avoid are recommendations that I hope will help you to prevent any unnecessary visits to the clinic as well as sensitivity to your teeth:

Crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, celery etc

Biting or munching ice cubes is a cardinal sin as I guarantee you will lose a big chunk of your temps and potentially even crack a tooth!

Of course, it’s not just only these foods that you’ll have to be careful of, you need to also think about staining. Due to the material used for your temps to make it easy for the dentist to remove when your final porcelain veneers are ready, this also means that they are quite fragile and easily stained.

Sports/Energy drinks, Soft drinks and juices

Tea and coffee (if you absolutely must have it, we’d recommend that you drink it with milk)

It also goes without saying but I thought I’d add it anyway – smoking

With temporary veneers, you can’t go wrong with sticking to soft foods that aren’t staining such as:

Noodles, pasta or gnocchi (not tomato based)

Please note that the lists above are not full lists of everything out there that you can and cannot eat, it is merely to give you an idea of every day foods and drinks to watch out for.

Vogue Dental Studios are devoted to beautiful healthy smiles. Contact us today if you’re thinking about porcelain veneers. Already in the process and are wearing temporaries as you’re reading this? Let us know if you have any questions, or concerns and we are so excited to completing your smile makeover! 

A cautionary tale from yours truly.

What NOT to eat when you have temporary veneers

After you complete your smile makeover journey at Vogue Dental Studios – whether it be veneers, or Invisalign, or braces, you will be provided with an aftercare retainer. Having gone through both Invisalign and veneers myself, I genuinely know the importance of having a retainer and would love to impart my wisdom onto others. It is a truly money-saving hack that is often overlooked. 

Now, I’m not a dentist, a hygienist or a dental nurse. I am a patient. I know retainers can be a pain in a back side. It’s not flattering to wear, it gets dirty (and smelly) quickly, and it’s a very forgettable item – especially at sleepovers, weekend getaways or even holidays. I know, we’ve all been there where it comes to bedtime, we take out our toothbrushes and look through our toiletry bag for our retainers and think oh crap, I left it at home….. oh well, life goes on. But think of it as an important item to have, like, your phone charger for example. Your phone will not function, power or be usable in any way if it doesn’t have any battery or charge, it will be rendered useless and cannot live without it. Your teeth, however, can live without your retainers but it shouldn’t, especially after you have spent thousands of dollars on treatment.

The dentist isn’t making you wear a retainer for fun, it genuinely has a purpose. I mean, if you think about it, if they wanted you to constantly fork out money, they wouldn’t make you wear one at all so your teeth could shift or chip and you’ll have to continually go back to fix it.

Still not convinced? Here are some incentives on why you should love and respect your retainers:

Protection - Wearing retainers is a great way to protect your teeth and smile from the damaging effects of minor grinding and jaw clenching. (1)

Retention - Whether you’ve had braces or not, with age and time, your teeth can possibly shift. Wearing your retainer will help prevent your teeth from moving. (2) There are many factors that can contribute to teeth shifting in life including the changing shape of your jaw as you age or continuous pressure from eating or sleeping (i.e., the constant pressure of sleeping on your face or side of your face).  

Custom-fit - Your retainer is made for you and you only. The custom fit has two benefits; a), it fits snugly to your teeth to stop them from moving and b), you can double up and use it as a whitening tray (IF you have the clear plastic retainers). (3)

Saving Money - The protection and benefits of retainer wearing will hopefully mean you won’t need additional dental work because you chipped a tooth grinding or because your teeth have shifted back after you’ve had braces! (4) And take it from me, forcing yourself to remember this habit every night will reinforce general dental hygiene as well. 

So, how often should you clean your retainer? Great question. Cleaning them habitually will ensure it’s less grimy/smelly and more comfortable to wear. However, if you clean them too much, you can actually damage them if you’re using anything abrasive. A gentle daily clean with a very soft bristled toothbrush or even just water is enough. A proper soak should be done weekly with a retainer or denture cleaner to keep it fresh and prolong its life. Using the wrong substance or product can be very damaging to your retainers, even if you’re using a bit of toothpaste. This can cause it to wear out faster and potentially break. Please check with your dentist for some recommendations or brands.

Though long lasting, your retainer won’t live forever. We advise getting it replaced as soon as you see any sign of wear and tear such as cracks or splits. It is important to do so immediately because these cracks or splits will make the retainer less effective. General plastic retainers should last you anywhere from 1-3 years if properly taken care of. Thick grinding splints can last up to five years. Always make sure you keep your retainer in a safe case when not in use (like you would for your Rolex or diamond ring, yes it's that important). This will protect your retainer from dust, bacteria and even the dog - believe me, if dogs can eat your homework, they can eat your retainers too! 

Your smile is a lifetime investment, one that takes nightly deposits.

Let’s talk about retainers, Baby.

Many patients with a canted smile come to us utterly perplexed by their smile. They may already have healthy, pearly whites but often still say they hate smiling in photos. Something just seems off! Eventually, they finally notice the culprit - their smile is canted. Let's find out what a canted smile is, what factors are involved, and what are the potential treatments, including a one of our own cases. 

To put it simply, a canted smile is a smile that is tilted or slanted. In other words, a smile that is not level with the rest of the face, instead creating a diagonal line. Dr. Halligan has a neat trick to confirm whether the frontal occlusal plane (Your smile from the front!) is canted. Just bite a tongue depressor (It's just a popsicle stick!) lengthwise.  It should be a straight line, parallel to your lips, eyes and ears. Now, mind you, even a straight smile might be just a little bit slanted here. But if you have canted smile, the tilt angle should be fairly obvious with this test. (1) Of course, this is only a quick and easy rule of thumb. The best way to determine if you have a canted smile is to seek an examination with a qualified professional. 

In our experience, most patients with canted smiles come to us with cosmetic concerns only. However, depending on what the fundamental cause is, a canted smile can introduce functional problems like tooth wear, difficulty with tooth eruption, and skeletal developmental problems. (2)

That leads us to the potential causes of a canted smile. There are a few factors that can produce a canted smile. Without understanding the underlying factors, it is impossible to know the most suitable treatment. An important point to keep in mind is that it could also be a combination of factors.

Common forms of malocclusion include overbite, crossbite, and overjet. All of these mean that your jaw is not properly aligned, which can affect the symmetry of your smile line, potentially leading to a canted smile. (3)

Other forms of malocclusion result from individual misalignment of certain teeth. In some circumstances, their misalignment leads to visual asymmetry, such as uneven teeth lengths. (3)

How much your teeth appear in your smile is, of course, affected by a commonly ignored factor - your gums! As our teeth grow, the gums naturally recede to reveal the smile. If a part of your gums receded less than others, it can lead to the appearance of a canted smile, even if your teeth are aligned.

Injuries, especially childhood ones, to your teeth, gums, or lips will affect the appearance of your smile. Heavy grinding is also a possible culprit. If any of these factors affect a part of your smile more than other parts, they could lead to a canted smile.

Since a canted smile can develop through a combination of factors, very often a combination of treatments is required as well. As always, the best way to find out which treatment is suitable for you is to consult a qualified health professional. 

Also called gum lift or gum contouring. You guessed it! - This one is best suited to address an uneven gum line. Gum laser surgery uses a soft diode laser to reshape the gum line, revealing more of the teeth. There is a limit to how much can be revealed safely. It's best to discuss with your dentist to see if this is a suitable option for you. Your gum health, natural tooth length, and pre-existing conditions are all factors here. 

If your canted smile is resulting from malocclusion, straightening it through orthodontic treatment - like braces or Invisalign - can help. Which orthodontic options are available to you depends on your malocclusion. A through examination with a dentist can help you determine this. A qualified health professional can also guide you through key considerations of each option, like treatment time, cost, and convenience. 

 While some patients choose veneers as an immediate alternative to orthodontics, it is sometimes the only option for certain situations and objectives. For example, for a case where short teeth length from heavy grinding creates a canted smile, the only way to lengthen teeth may be veneers. With veneers, patients have the option of designing their ideal smile - whether to more closely match their natural proportions, or to totally transform their smile. Suitability depend on a variety of factors. It's always best to consult with a qualified health professional to understand the options available to you.

In our case, the patient came to us with aesthetic concerns surrounding a canted smile and a gummy smile. She chose the porcelain veneer option as she also wanted to improve shape and colour. This was paired with gum contouring to even up the gum line. 

Canted smiles are certainly befuddling. If it's bothering you, we always recommend to find out your options and do some research. The best decision is an informed decision. 

Everything you need to know about a canted occlusal plane.

The Canted Smile: A Guide

A growing trend that a lot of patients have been raving about recently is dental tourism, like getting veneers in Bali. It sure sounds perfect at first -  who doesn't want a smile makeover and a vacation all rolled up into one magical destination? But this journey is not without dangers and risks. Having experienced it myself, I want to highlight some factors to consider before taking your smile overseas, including my own personal story. 

It's no surprise that the first factor is communication. This goes beyond the language barrier. We communicate not just with words, but also tone, facial expression, and body language, all of which are influenced heavily by culture. While this can be a fun and enlightening experience, a serious medical procedure is probably not the best time to try to bridge the cultural gap. This is especially true when trying to communicate something decidedly subjective - aesthetics. All of this is assuming that you are already speaking a common language. 

Not sharing a language where both parties have a high level of proficiency is also a huge risk. With many moving parts, and interdependent steps to the process, miscommunication at any stage could lead to an ultimate result that is not what you pictured. Take special consideration for this point if the procedure is not easily reversible. 

It is difficult to research and understand the training and qualifications required at your destination, or which regulations apply to protect your interests. How many years did your practitioner have to study? Did they have to pass practical tests to become licensed? What equipment are they required to use if any?

Within Australia, you can check the ADA for all these answers. 

The most immediate risk in this category is infection control and sterilisation regulation. Did you know that infection control standards in Australia are among the strictest in the world? (1) These standards are in place to protect both you, the patient, and the practice staff, and even the public. Without in-depth understanding of the laws at your destination, you may be putting yourself at risk for contracting and spreading infectious diseases and bacteria. This risk is all the more apparent in our current times.

This goes for all health procedures: aftercare is crucial. Our bodies react in different ways to different things. Follow up or maintenance appointments are important to see if your body - that could be your gums, your teeth, or your jaw - has adapted to the change. A qualified professional should be checking-in after an appropriate amount of time. Unless you are flying back for your follow up appointments, the level of care will be different between your procedure and aftercare. This may manifest as difference in materials or equipment, which may be only accessible overseas but not in Australia. It could also be a difference in procedure, leading to inconsistent results. Plus, your insurance company will likely not cover any expense relating to required aftercare resulting from treatment completed overseas.

That leads us to the big one: what happens if something goes wrong? If something were to happen to your treated tooth or teeth, there is a low likelihood that you will be seeing the same dentist that had worked on you. Of course, you can always fly back, adding the cost of flights, food, cabs, accommodation... All additional expenses will most likely be out-of-pocket. Want a refund? Good luck! 

Let's talk about the elephant in the room - the most significant, and possibly only, pro of dental tourism - the price. My friends, I've been there. Yes, the treatment is most likely considerably less than what it costs here in Australia. But is it worth the risk? If things were to go suboptimally in the least, the additional cost may equal or be greater than the initial cost in Australia. 

We have a revolving door of patients who have come to us to fix or check their smile after they had it completed overseas. The outcome? Often, they require additional dental work as a result of what was done on what was otherwise healthy teeth to begin with. This may include fillings, root canal treatment, extractions and sometimes, even a removal and replacement of their crowns or veneers.

I, myself, have intimate knowledge of this experience. Prior to Vogue Dental Studios, I had gone to Asia to get my porcelain veneers done. I was so excited to get the smile of my dreams at 1/12th of the cost of what I was quoted in Australia. I was willing to take the gamble. Deep down, I knew it was a bad idea. That's why I didn’t tell a single soul about what I was doing. I didn’t want to be talked out of my decision. 

When I had arrived, there was no communication of the procedure, what was going to happen, what shapes I wanted or anything. The only thing we discussed was the finalisation of the bill which I had to pre-pay. I did not know what was going to happen, how long I’d be in the chair for, what they were doing or who was going to do it. They barely spoke any English at all. Despite this, at the end, I was still ecstatic and over the moon with the result they had given me. After all, it looked better than what I had to begin with.

When I met Dr. Dee many years later, I decided to re-do my smile. When he removed the veneers I had, my teeth were heavily, heavily and I mean heavily shaved and I didn’t even know. To say they were shark teeth is an understatement. Dr. Dee also brought to my attention that my two front teeth were not sealed properly and had heavily decayed. If I hadn’t gotten my veneers re-done, I would never had known what was wrong below the surface. In time, this would have caused serious long-term complications.

If you are anything like I was at the time, then I know that there is probably nothing that would change your mind but doing your research is a great start. Don’t get me wrong, I am sure that there are a lot of success stories out there as well for those who have gone through the dental tourism journey. I definitely read a lot of them before starting on my own trip. 

My best advice, if you choose to fly down that path, is to get your teeth checked by a qualified healthcare professional when you get home. Do some investigation, discuss in forums, reach out to people who have gone to that specific clinic and stay safe. Remember, most cosmetic treatments are irreversible.

What to watch out for when considering dental tourism - my own story.

Dental Tourism - Risks and Rewards

A lot of you may be wondering what your appointments may entail when you decide to proceed with Porcelain Veneers. Not only could it be a daunting experience but it is also a costly one. You want to know what you’re getting yourself into before you make the financial commitment and that is a very sensible thing to do. 

The first appointment, as always, is your consultation. One of our experienced dentists will discuss with you your treatment goals, suitability, and desired outcomes. After this, your treatment coordinators will assist you with making your following appointment times. Below, we go over every step of the smile makeover journey.

Your appointments will generally persist of the following:

At this appointment, all your records are taken so the dentist can begin planning your smile makeover and final veneers. Your photos, X-RAYs, scans and or moulds will be taken for a full smile analysis. This will then be sent off to the lab so the dentist and the technicians can begin your digital smile design and making your temporary veneers for your prep appointment.

At this appointment, a senior dentist will prepare your teeth for your porcelain veneers. You will be given the opportunity to see the recommended shapes and colour to suit your facial features and desired outcomes as well as including your own input on the design of your smile. After your teeth are prepped (Do my teeth need to be shaved in order to get veneers?), the dentist will place your temporary veneers on. This is only a very minor indication of what your final veneers could look like. The main purpose of temporary veneers is to protect your prepped teeth until your final porcelain veneers are ready.

We would then see you 1-2 days after your prep for a brief appointment to decide on your final shade and tooth position once you have gone home and thought about what you like. This colour and shape will then be sent to the technicians to refer to and apply.

Side note: Sometimes this appointment can be done when you are being prepped.

Once your porcelain veneers have finally been made, you will then come in for the appointment you’ve been waiting for – gluing them in! Prior to doing so, however, the dentist will remove your temps and trial your veneers on with temporary glue. You will then be left alone for you to review and decide if you’re 100% happy with the shape and colour before they are permanently glued on. At this stage, we also encourage that you facetime or video call friends and family members for a second opinion to see your smile through someone else’s eyes. Once you are 100% happy, we would cement them in. If, however, you find there are changes you would like, minor adjustments can be done on the spot. If you decide that you want a brighter or darker shade, your veneers will need to be completely remade and you will be rebooked for another appointment time. There will not be any cementation unless you are truly 100% with your final smile.  

Ahhh, the last piece to the puzzle. After your veneers are cemented, we will allow a few days for your mouth and gums to settle before we do a review and clean. Any excess glue will be removed and we will make a protective splint to prolong the life of your veneers. If you have chosen to proceed with one of our smile makeover packages, in-chair whitening is included and will be done at this appointment. Otherwise, you have the option to purchase in-chair whitening at this stage.

We would then recommend a 3-6 monthly check up and clean appointment to maintain your oral health and review your retainer.

This will generally depend on a few factors including;

How many teeth you’re getting - This can range anywhere between 30 minutes to 3-4 hours (let’s say from 1 tooth to 12 teeth).

How much prep you need - Minimal to no prep appointments can be 30 minutes to less than an hour. The more prep you need, the longer the appointment (on average, prep appointments are about 3 hours).

If you have existing restorations - If you do, this will be removed at the prep appointment. As the dentist will need to meticulously shave this one by one, layer by layer, your appointment may be longer than average.

Luckily, each surgery is equipped with ceiling TV’s for patients and unlimited access to Netflix, Stan, YouTube and the internet. We also provide soundproof headphones for your comfort.

After you are prepped, it will take approximately 2-3 weeks to manufacture your porcelain veneers. From start to finish after your records appointment, your smile makeover will most likely be completed under a month.

What I have discussed is what you can expect at Vogue Dental Studios. Each clinical practice does vary and it is important for you to do your own research and know what you’re in for. We like to be transparent so patients are involved with each and every step of the process.

Notes from VDS

Composite vs Porcelain: The Showdown

Do my teeth need to be shaved in order to get veneers?

What NOT to eat when you have temporary veneers

Composite vs Porcelain: The Showdown

Let’s talk about retainers, Baby.

The Canted Smile: A Guide

Dental Tourism - Risks and Rewards

Your Smile Makeover Journey: From Start to Finish

Do my teeth need to be shaved in order to get veneers?