Veneers
A natural refresh — not a Hollywood mask.
Chipped, uneven, discoloured or gappy front teeth can make you hide your smile without even realising it. Veneers are thin layers of porcelain or composite that sit over the front of your teeth — changing the shape and shade while keeping most of your natural tooth intact.
Why people consider veneers
Small changes, big difference in how you feel
Most people who come to us about veneers aren't chasing a Hollywood look. They're embarrassed by one or two front teeth that are chipped, darker than the rest, or slightly crooked — and it's quietly changed how often they smile, how often they post photos, and how comfortable they feel in social settings. Veneers are a way to fix that without major dentistry.
What's involved
Composite or porcelain — in plain English
Composite veneers are built up directly onto your tooth by the dentist in a single visit. They're shaped by hand, cost less upfront, and can be refreshed or repaired easily. They're a great option if you want a lower-cost way to test the look before committing to porcelain — or if the changes you want are modest.
Porcelain veneers are custom-made in a dental lab from digital scans and bonded over two visits. They're stronger, more stain-resistant, and typically last longer. They handle bigger shape and shade changes beautifully.
Whatever we choose, the aim is the same: keep your real tooth underneath, blend the new surface with the teeth around it, and give you something that looks natural when you laugh — not something that looks like dentistry.
How we do it at Austral
The minimally invasive philosophy
Dr Elvis, our founder, teaches minimally invasive dentistry at the University of Sydney Dental School. That shapes how we approach cosmetic cases: we start from the principle that your natural tooth is the best material in your mouth, and we remove as little of it as we possibly can.
In practice, that means you'll often hear us suggest a conservative composite option before a more aggressive porcelain plan — or recommend whitening first to see if that alone gets you where you want to be. We'd rather do less and do it well than oversell a treatment you don't need.
FAQs
Questions people usually ask
What is the difference between composite and porcelain veneers?
Composite veneers are sculpted directly onto your tooth in a single visit and cost less upfront. Porcelain veneers are custom-made in a lab and bonded over two visits — they are more durable, stain-resistant and typically last longer. We will discuss what suits your mouth, your timeline and your budget.
Do veneers damage my teeth?
With modern techniques, very little tooth structure is removed — and some composite cases need no drilling at all. Our approach is to keep as much of your natural tooth as possible. Removing less tooth now means more options for you later.
How long do veneers last?
Composite veneers typically last five to seven years before they need polishing or refreshing. Porcelain veneers can last 10 to 15 years or longer with good care. Like any restoration, longevity depends on how you look after them.
Will veneers look fake?
They shouldn't. We design veneers to match the shape, shade and subtle character of the teeth around them. You have a say in how white and how uniform you want them to look — we'll guide you away from anything that wouldn't sit right on your face.
Book a veneers consultation
Bring in your questions and a photo of a smile you like. We'll tell you honestly what's possible and what we'd recommend.
Call 02 9606 0553