Things to Know Before Getting Porcelain Dental Veneers

Things to Know Before Getting Porcelain Dental Veneers

Porcelain dental veneers are thin shells of medical-grade porcelain that fit over the front of your teeth to fix staining, chips, gaps, or uneven shapes. Only a small amount of the tooth’s surface needs to be shaved down, so most of your natural tooth stays in place. The colour is matched to your other teeth, and porcelain resists staining far better than your natural enamel.

If you’re weighing up whether porcelain dental veneers are right for you, here’s what to know before you book that first appointment — including how to look after your temporary veneers while you wait for the final set.

Who Is Suitable for Porcelain Dental Veneers?

You need healthy gums and teeth to get porcelain veneers. If you have tooth decay, gum disease, or an active oral infection, your dentist will need to treat that first. Once your mouth is healthy, you can move ahead with veneers.

If you clench or grind your teeth, tell your dentist. Grinding puts extra pressure on veneers and can cause them to crack. Your dentist may recommend a night splint to protect your new veneers, or ask you to address the grinding before treatment starts.

The Step-by-Step Process

Getting porcelain veneers usually takes four visits. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Consultation and smile design

Your dentist checks your teeth and gums, takes photos, and matches your tooth shade. At FY Smile, this includes Digital Smile Design (DSD) — a process where your dentist sketches how your new smile will look based on your photos, before any work begins.

Step 2: Trial smile

You’ll try out different tooth lengths and shapes so your dentist can make quick changes. Because the photos include your whole face, it’s easier to design a smile that suits your features.

Step 3: Tooth preparation and temporary veneers

Your dentist removes a small layer of enamel (about 0.5mm) from each tooth. An impression is taken and sent to the ceramist who makes your permanent veneers. In the meantime, you’re fitted with temporary veneers to protect your teeth and give you an idea of how your new smile will look and feel.

Step 4: Fitting your permanent veneers

Once your custom veneers arrive, your temporary veneers are removed and the permanent ones are checked for fit, colour, and shape. Your dentist won’t bond them until you’re happy with how they look.

Some patients need an extra appointment to fine-tune the shape or bite before the final fitting.

Caring for Your Temporary Veneers: What to Eat and Avoid

Between steps 3 and 4, you’ll wear temporary veneers for roughly one to two weeks. They’re made from acrylic rather than porcelain, and held in place with temporary cement — so they need a gentler diet than your permanent veneers will.

Foods and drinks to avoid with temporary veneers:

• Hard or sticky lollies
• Chewy or tough meat
• Chewing gum
• Toast, crusty bread, or sandwiches
• Corn on the cob
• Chips and crackers
• Nuts and seeds
• Crunchy fruit and veg (apples, celery, carrots)
• Ice cubes

Cut food into small pieces and chew with your back teeth rather than biting straight in with your front teeth. This takes pressure off the temporary veneers while the cement holds them in place.

Hot drinks like tea and coffee are worth skipping too — the heat can soften the temporary cement and loosen the veneer.

Foods and drinks that can stain temporary veneers:

Temporary acrylic stains more easily than porcelain, so go easy on:

• Tomato sauce and curry
• Coffee and tea
• Red wine
• Berries
• Soy sauce and balsamic vinegar
• Dark sodas
• Tobacco products

What you can eat with temporary veneers:

• Yoghurt and porridge
• Bananas, rice, and mashed potato
• Pasta and soup
• Eggs
• Soft meats like chicken and fish
• Macaroni and cheese
• Room-temperature drinks

Caring for temporary veneers day to day:

• Brush gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush, using light circular motions
• Use a non-abrasive toothpaste
• Skip flossing around the temporary veneers unless your dentist tells you otherwise
• Call your dentist straight away if a temporary veneer comes loose or chips

Common Mistakes People Make with Temporary Veneers

Biting into food with front teeth. This is the top cause of temporary veneers cracking or popping off. Cut food up and chew at the back of your mouth instead.

Assuming they’re as strong as the real thing. Temporary veneers are a placeholder, not the finished product. Treating them the same way you’ll treat your permanent porcelain veneers can lead to breakages.

Ignoring a loose or chipped temporary veneer. A loose temporary can expose the prepared tooth underneath, which may cause sensitivity or lead to problems with the fit of your final veneer. Get it seen to promptly rather than waiting for your next scheduled visit.

Skipping the “avoid” list because it’s only for a week or two. Staining or damage during this short window can still affect how confident you feel in photos or at events — and repairs mean an extra trip to the dentist.

Not asking questions before the final fitting. This is your last chance to request changes to shape, length, or colour. Speak up if something doesn’t feel or look right.

Is It Painful to Get Porcelain Dental Veneers?

Getting porcelain veneers is generally not painful. Some people notice mild tooth sensitivity or gum soreness for a day or two. If you experience real pain, contact your dentist straight away — it’s not typical and should be checked.

How Long Do Porcelain Dental Veneers Last?

With good brushing and flossing habits and regular check-ups (twice a year), porcelain veneers can last for decades. They’re thin but strong, and resistant to chipping when looked after properly.

Adjusting to Your New Veneers

Most people adjust to veneers straight away — you’ll be able to speak and eat normally within a short time. Many patients also notice their lips look slightly fuller and fine lines around the mouth soften, as a side effect of the new tooth shape.

Do Porcelain Veneers Stain or Fade Over Time?

Porcelain veneers are baked at high heat during manufacturing, which makes them resistant to staining and fading — unlike composite bonding materials. Keeping up with regular dental visits helps protect the healthy tooth structure underneath, so your smile stays consistent over the years.

Porcelain Veneers vs Composite Veneers: Which Is Right for You?

	Porcelain Veneers	Composite Veneers (Bonding)
Material	Medical-grade porcelain	Tooth-coloured resin
Stain resistance	High	Lower — can stain over time
Durability	Can last decades with care	Typically needs replacing sooner
Tooth preparation	Small amount of enamel removed	Minimal to none
Repair if chipped	Usually needs full replacement	Can often be repaired/touched up
Appointments needed	Usually 4 visits	Often completed in 1 visit
Best for	Long-term, natural-looking correction of several teeth	Smaller fixes, tighter budgets, or a same-day result

If you’d like more detail on the resin option, see our composite bonding page.

Cost Considerations for Porcelain Dental Veneers

The cost of porcelain veneers depends on:

• How many teeth need treatment
• The cost of your initial consultation and assessment
• Your gum health
• Tooth alignment
• Bone and gum levels

FY Smile offers a payment plan so treatment doesn’t need to be paid upfront in full. For an accurate quote based on your teeth, book a consultation.

Is the Cost of Veneers Covered by Medicare or Insurance?

Medicare doesn’t cover cosmetic dental procedures like veneers. Private health insurance extras cover may contribute, usually under a Major Dental category with its own waiting periods and annual limits. Check with your insurer about what your specific policy covers before booking, since this varies a lot between providers.

Getting the Best Results from Porcelain Dental Veneers

Choosing an experienced cosmetic dentist matters for how your veneers turn out and last. Nicola Kapetanakis and the team at FY Smile have years of experience with porcelain veneer treatment across both the Double Bay and Broadway clinics. If you have questions about veneers or want tailored advice, book a virtual or in-person consultation.

FAQs

How long does it take to get porcelain veneers?

Most patients need four appointments, from initial consultation through to the final fitting. The whole process usually spans a few weeks, since your permanent veneers are custom-made off-site.

Are porcelain veneers painful to get?

No — most people feel mild sensitivity for a day or two at most. Ask your dentist about numbing options if you’re anxious about the tooth preparation step.

What can I eat with temporary veneers?

Soft foods like pasta, soup, yoghurt, eggs, and soft meats are safe. Avoid hard, sticky, or crunchy foods, and cut everything into small pieces.

How do I look after my temporary veneers at home?

Brush gently with a soft-bristled brush and non-abrasive toothpaste, skip flossing around them unless told otherwise, and avoid biting directly into food with your front teeth.

Do porcelain veneers stain over time?

No — porcelain is baked at high temperatures during manufacturing, which makes it highly resistant to staining, unlike composite bonding.

How long do porcelain veneers last?

With good oral hygiene and regular check-ups, porcelain veneers can last for decades.

Are porcelain veneers covered by Medicare or private health insurance?

Medicare doesn’t cover cosmetic procedures. Private extras cover may contribute depending on your policy — check with your provider directly.

What’s the difference between porcelain veneers and composite veneers?

Porcelain is more stain-resistant and durable but needs small amounts of enamel removed and usually several appointments. Composite bonding can often be done in one visit, costs less upfront, but doesn’t last as long and can stain more easily.