Veneers - Porcelain and Composite Resin

Veneers

A dental veneer is a thin, custom-made layer designed to cover the front surface of your teeth. They are bonded to the tooth to improve its appearance, changing the colour, shape, size, or length. They are made of either porcelain or composite resin. Veneers are commonly used on the upper front teeth and are one of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments available.

Understanding Dental Veneers: A Guide to a Brighter Smile

  • Discoloured or stained teeth that don't respond to whitening
  • Chipped or worn teeth
  • Slightly misaligned or uneven teeth
  • Small gaps between teeth
  • Teeth with an irregular shape

At MedCentral Dental, we provide the two types of veneers: porcelain and composite resin. Both can enhance the appearance of your smile, but they differ in important ways.

Porcelain Veneers

  • Made from a strong, tooth-coloured ceramic material
  • Custom-crafted in a dental laboratory, usually requiring two or more visits
  • Excellent at matching the natural look of teeth, with a lifelike translucency
  • Highly resistant to staining
  • Very durable
  • A small amount of enamel is usually removed from the tooth surface to ensure a good fit, though "no-prep" options exist in some cases

 

Composite Resin Veneers

  • Composite Resin is a tooth-coloured filling material made from a blend of resin and fine glass particles. While it contains a type of medical-grade plastic, it’s specially designed to be strong, safe, and natural-looking in the mouth
  • Can often be completed in a single visit, as your dentist sculpts and shapes the material directly onto your teeth
  • Generally more affordable than porcelain veneers
  • Require less removal of your natural tooth, making them a more conservative option
  • Easier to repair if chipped or damaged
  • May be more prone to staining and wear over time compared to porcelain
  • May need to be replaced or touched up more frequently

Veneers can make a meaningful difference to your appearance and self-esteem. By correcting imperfections such as discolouration, chips, gaps, or uneven teeth, veneers create a more uniform, natural-looking smile. Many patients report feeling more confident in social and professional settings after treatment.

To help your veneers last:

  • Brush and floss daily, just as you would with natural teeth
  • Avoid biting very hard objects (ice, pens, fingernails)
  • Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups
  • Consider wearing a night guard if you grind your teeth at night

Quick Comparison

 

Porcelain Veneers

Composite Resin Veneers

Visits needed

Usually 2 or more

Often 1

Durability

Very high (10-15+ years)

Moderate (5-7 years)

Stain resistance

Excellent

Lower

Cost

Higher

Lower

Tooth preparation

None to minor amounts of tooth removal

None to minimal removal

Repairability

Must be replaced if damaged

Can often be repaired

Appearance

Highly natural and translucent

Good, natural appearance

Your dentist will provide a written treatment plan and cost estimate before commencing. Ask about what your private health insurance may cover, as benefits vary between funds.

If you have any questions, please speak with us.

If you're considering veneers, your dentist at MedCentral Dental will assess your teeth and discuss which option is best suited to your needs, budget, and goals. Every smile is unique, and together you can plan the best approach for you.

At MedCentral Dental, We Accept All Health Funds!

We Are Preferred Providers for

Get in touch

Dr Raymond AU

Principal Dentist

Speaks English and Vietnamese

Born and raised in Melbourne, Dr Raymond has spent several years working across both private and public practices in metropolitan Melbourne and rural Victoria. This diverse experience has strengthened his ability to connect with individuals and families from all walks of life, allowing him to deliver care that feels both personalised and accessible.

With a strong focus on family dentistry, Dr Raymond is experienced in both general and cosmetic dentistry, supporting patients at every stage of life. He is particularly proficient in wisdom teeth extractions, and has a special interest in clear aligner treatment and smile makeovers – including porcelain veneers, crowns and bridges.

Known for his calm and reassuring manner, Dr Raymond is especially attentive to patients who may feel anxious about dental visits. He creates a relaxed, supportive environment designed to ease concerns and build trust over time. His goal is to make every appointment a positive experience and believes that visiting the dentist should feel comfortable, not confronting.

Outside the practice, he enjoys travelling, playing tennis, and spending quality time with family and friends.

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Dr Emily Pow

Dr Emily was born in Melbourne and was raised in the local Knox area. She previously worked in private practices across Melbourne, and has worked for the public sector at the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne.

She also gained a significant amount of experience working previously as the Hospital Dental Officer at Monash Medical Centre where she treated medically compromised, special needs and cancer patients.

She enjoys most aspects of dentistry including cosmetic dentistry and working with children. She has a special interest in the area of orthodontics (braces, clear aligners and early intervention) and can provide Myobrace treatment.

Dr Emily is currently undergoing a Post Graduate Diploma in Orthodontics to further her passion in this area.

She loves helping her patients with clear aligner treatment so that they can smile confidently.

In her spare time, Dr Emily enjoys going out for good food, spending time with family and going on nature walks with her dog Chino.

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Dr Lilian Phu

Dr Lilian Phu graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Biomedicine (Honours) and Doctor of Dental Surgery. Her passion for helping people achieve their dental and oral health goals is reflected by the quality, care and attention she gives to each patient she encounters. Additionally, her friendly and bubbly nature will be sure to bring a smile on anyone’s face.

Dr Lilian is also a preclinical supervisor for dental students at Melbourne University, sharing her knowledge with the future generation of dentists.

In order to deliver the best dental care to her patients, she regularly attends continuing education courses and is currently undertaking a two-year postgraduate course in orthodontics. Dr Lilian has a special interest in implants and clear aligner treatment, and can talk to you about how you can improve your smile.

Outside of dentistry, she enjoys digital drawing and spending time with her loved ones including a dog and three cats.

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Dr Edward Wang

Speaks English

Education:

Edward is a kind and caring dentist who is dedicated to providing his patients with high quality dental care while prioritizing patient comfort to ensure that his patients have a positive experience.

Edward believes in taking a more patient-centered approach to dental care, whether it be by providing information to patients about prevention of dental disease, or by providing and explaining all available treatment options so that patients can be fully informed about their oral healthcare.

Outside of work, you’ll find Edward playing volleyball or in the kitchen as he enjoys cooking dishes from many different cuisines from around the world.

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