Introduction

Porcelain veneers will give you a beautiful new smile. Naturally, you’ll want to take good care of your dental veneers so they last as long as possible. You should think of your porcelain veneers as an investment.

Remember, porcelain veneers do not last forever. Rather, they can last as long as 10 to 15 years when properly cared for. The patient is largely responsible for the life-span of their dental veneers. By following a few simple guidelines, your porcelain veneers will continue to dazzle for years to come.

Porcelain veneers require good oral hygiene

Good oral hygiene is of the utmost importance for maintaining your porcelain veneers. Typically, your dental care routine won’t vary much from what you’re probably already doing. Brush your teeth twice a day, rinse with mouth wash, and floss. It’s a good idea to check with your dentist to make sure you’re using a toothpaste and toothbrush that is not too harsh for your dental veneers.

The parts of your natural teeth that are not covered by the dental veneers are vulnerable to decay, just as all of your teeth are. With thorough brushing and flossing, you can avoid cavities, gingivitis and plaque that would negatively affect your porcelain veneers and your overall oral health.

Gum disease in particular can lessen the attractive appearance of dental veneers. When inflamed, gums recede. Should your gums recede, it will reveal the top edge of your dental veneers. The raw edge can be noticeable, and it can also be subject to staining.

Regular visits to your dentist are an essential part of any oral care regimen. You should visit your dentist twice a year for cleanings and check-ups. You’ll be less prone to cavities and gum inflammation, and it will also give the dentist an opportunity to check on the state of your porcelain veneers. Any potential problems can be dealt with before they damage the dental veneers in any way.

Bad habits that are hard on porcelain veneers

For the most part, you will not have to change your regular eating habits in order to maintain your dental veneers. However, you want to be aware that porcelain veneers are more delicate than natural teeth. Because of that, you should avoid chewing on hard items, such as crunching on ice. You will also want to break habits such as chewing pencils or biting your nails.

Grinding your teeth is also very hard on dental veneers. “Bruxism” is the medical term for clenching and grinding your teeth on a regular basis – typically without even being aware of it. If you’re prone to clenching and grinding, you can talk to your dentist about purchasing a night guard. Most clenching and grinding occurs while you sleep, so a custom-fitted night guard can significantly reduce the potential for damage to your porcelain veneers.

Preventing your porcelain veneers from staining

Porcelain veneers are known for their resistance to staining. However, cement is used to bond dental veneers to your teeth, and that cement is vulnerable to staining. Should staining occur, the dental veneers themselves will remain white, but the edges will be darkened or yellowed.
Whenever possible, avoid foods and beverages that have the potential for staining. You don’t have to give up coffee. Instead, opt for drinking it with a straw. Also, smoking causes yellow staining. A few changes are all it takes to keep your dental veneers dazzling and white.

Conclusion

Maintaining the strength and beauty of your new dental veneers is easy. The key is maintaining excellent oral hygiene. Don’t hesitate to contact your dentist with concerns about your porcelain veneers. Your dentist wants you to maintain your dream smile as much as you do.

Those interested in getting dental veneers are usually curious about the procedure. You want to know what to expect – how long will it take? Will getting porcelain veneers hurt?

To answer the second question, and put your mind at ease, getting porcelain veneers is virtually a pain-free process. As for how long it takes to get porcelain veneers, the answer is two appointments.

The first visit appointment involves an examination. Your dentist will need to assess the overall health of your teeth and gums. Your dentist might also find problems, such as a cavity, which will need to be corrected before the dental veneers can be placed.

During the first visit, two important procedures will take place: trimming your tooth and making a mold of your tooth. These procedures are the basic prep work for getting started with placing your dental veneers.

Trimming actually means removing some of the surface of your tooth so that your dental veneers will be even with the rest of your teeth. Without removing some of the enamel, your dental veneers would appear much thicker than the surrounding teeth.

The word “trimming” might sound a bit scary, but the amount of enamel removed is only about as thick as an egg shell. Also, your doctor will give you a local anesthetic to control any pain you might experience.

After your tooth has been trimmed, the dentist will take an impression of the teeth that are going to receive the porcelain veneers. Most dentists will take a mold of your teeth using a putty-like substance. This process is not at all painful.

You and your dentist will also work together to select a color for the dental veneers. Everyone’s teeth have a slightly different color, and even the teeth within an individual’s mouth differ slightly in color. By using a special chart, your dentist will pinpoint the color that best blends with your natural teeth, and your porcelain veneers will be crafted precisely to those specifications.

After the appointment is over, your dentist will send the impression and the color selection to a lab where skilled technicians will hand-craft the porcelain veneers for your teeth. Expect to wait about one to two weeks for the process to be completed. Once the dental veneers have been fabricated, your dentist will bond them to your teeth.
The first step is for your dentist to clean both the porcelain veneers and your teeth. Next, an acidic etching gel is used to roughen the surface of your teeth. A rough surface is necessary for the cement to create a strong bond between your teeth and the dental veneers.

After the etching is complete, the porcelain veneers will be cemented onto your teeth. Once the dental veneers are in place, your dentist will use a special light to “cure” the cement. The curing process takes less than a minute.

Once the porcelain veneers are bonded, your dentist will take a few minutes to trim away any excess cement and polish the veneer. Your porcelain veneers may also need a bit of reshaping so that they fit perfectly with your natural teeth.

Unlike some of the more invasive cosmetic dentistry techniques, there is no recovery period with porcelain veneers. Note, though, that the teeth which received the dental veneers are likely to be sensitive to cold and heat for several days.

Around a week or so later, your dentist will want you to come back for a check-up. During this appointment, your dentist will make sure that your dental veneers look and feel right to you. Your dentist will also make sure that no complications, such as gum inflammation, have occurred. After that, all that’s left to do is enjoy your beautiful new smile!

Porcelain veneers could be key to creating the smile you’ve always wanted. Make an appointment with Absolute Smile to learn if dental veneers are right for you.

Dental veneers are not appropriate for every patient and every situation. The vast majority of patients will be candidates for dental veneers, but there are some situations where dental veneers are not an option. It is important for your dentist to assess your oral health, as the state of your teeth will largely determine whether or not the porcelain veneers will be a success.

First, let’s start with who is a candidate for dental veneers. Veneers can fix most of the aesthetic issues that patients have with their teeth. In many instances, dental veneers can be used to correct the following:

• Stains
• Chipped or broken teeth
• Crooked or misaligned teeth
• Gaps between teeth
• Holes or fractures

Not everyone with the above issues will be a candidate for dental veneers.  However, here are some situations when dental veneers may not be appropriate:

First, a patient with unhealthy teeth is not a good candidate for porcelain veneers. If your teeth are suffering from decay or gum disease, your dentist will not be able to place veneers on them. The possibility for dental veneers still exists however, if these conditions can be successfully treated, you will likely be a candidate for veneers.

A second situation where porcelain veneers will not work is on teeth with little or no enamel. Porcelain veneers are cemented onto the enamel of your teeth. Without sufficient enamel, the veneer will simply have nothing to bond with.

Third, porcelain veneers are strong, but they are not as strong as your natural teeth. If you have a tendency to grind or clench your teeth (bruxism), you might not be a good candidate for dental veneers. The clenching and grinding could lead to chips and fractures in your veneer.

However, if you are willing to diligently work at ending the bruxing, and if you purchase and wear a night guard, you may still be a candidate for porcelain veneers.

You should also note that dental veneers are not a solution to weak or damaged teeth. A veneer will not make your tooth stronger. In fact, as mentioned above, dental veneers are somewhat more fragile than natural teeth. If a large portion of your tooth is missing, a crown (cap), or dental implant may be a more suitable option.

Last, to be a good candidate for dental veneers, be certain that you understand the procedure. Veneers are not reversible. Some of your enamel must be removed in order to bond the veneer to your tooth.

Due to the permanent nature of porcelain veneers, be sure that you explore all of your options. For instance, teeth whitening, a much less invasive procedure may be able to correct discoloration. Dental veneers are an excellent choice, but be certain that they are the right choice for you.

Make an appointment with your dentist at Absolute Smile to find out if dental veneers are right for you. A thorough examination and a discussion about your goals and options will help you and your dentist decide if dental veneers are the best option.

Remember, there are a wide range of cosmetic dental procedures and techniques available. Even if porcelain veneers aren’t right for your teeth, you and your dentist can find a way to create the stunning smile of your dreams.

Dental veneers are extremely thin pieces of porcelain placed over the front of your teeth. In fact, with a thickness of only 0.3mm to 0.5mm, porcelain veneers are described as being “wafer-thin.” This thin shell is then bonded directly to the front of your tooth or teeth.

Dental veneers are a type of cosmetic dentistry, masking teeth that the patient dislikes. Your porcelain veneers are custom made for your teeth. They are hand-crafted to match the shape and color of your natural teeth.

There are a variety of reasons why patients are interested in dental veneers, and most of these cosmetic issues can be corrected with veneers. Here are some of the imperfections that porcelain veneers correct:

• Discoloration
• Chipped teeth
• Cracks
• Chips
• Worn enamel
• Holes

Dental veneers can also fix teeth that are crooked, abnormally spaced, or uneven in length. Basically, those unhappy with their teeth for any reason should look into porcelain veneers.

With porcelain veneers, you can have the straight, dazzling white smile you’ve always dreamed of. The use of dental veneers results in a smile that is very natural looking. One of the main benefits of porcelain veneers is their translucent quality.

Cosmetic dentists consider porcelain veneers to be superior to other techniques for correcting smiles. One major advantage of porcelain veneers is that they are very resistant to stains. Similarly, putting a cap on your tooth inevitably creates a thin line between the cap and your natural teeth. This line is prone to staining and discoloration.

Additionally, in most cases, the dentist only has to remove very little of your natural tooth in order to place the dental veneers. A small amount of your tooth enamel must be removed before the veneer can be bonded.

When properly cared for, dental veneers can last for ten to fifteen years. Though they are thin, porcelain veneers are remarkably strong and durable.

As mentioned above, dental veneers are crafted individually. During your visit to your dentist, an impression of your teeth will be taken. That mold is then sent to a dental lab where a technician will create dental veneers that will blend with your natural teeth in terms of shape, size, and color.

Though veneers are a popular and effective option, a few words of caution are in order. Placing dental veneers on your teeth is an irreversible process. Meaning, you do not have the option of removing them if you decide you’re unhappy with them at some point. Also, dental veneers are quite strong, but there is still the possibility of a veneer chipping or cracking.

Because dental veneers are irreversible, most dentists will give you a chance to temporarily try them on before they are permanently bonded to your teeth.

Porcelain veneers are a relatively pain-free way to correct both major and minor imperfections holding you back from the beautiful smile you’ve always dreamed of.  Those interested in porcelain veneers should consult with their dentist. Together you can evaluate your candidacy for porcelain veneers, and develop a plan for recreating your smile.

Dental veneers can correct most every aesthetic concern you have about your teeth. Cosmetic dentists often utilize dental veneers because of their appearance, ease, and versatility. If you want a smile that’s straight, white, and natural looking, talk to your dentist about veneers.

Many dental veneers are made from porcelain. Porcelain veneers are favored because of their incredibly natural appearance. Porcelain veneers are translucent, meaning that light permeates the surface rather than just bouncing off of it. After penetrating the porcelain shell, the light reflects off of the hard, opaque cement underneath. The reflection comes from the inside of your tooth, giving it the luminous quality of the surrounding natural teeth.

By its very nature, porcelain is resistant to stains. You can get an idea of its stain resistance by thinking of porcelain china. The delicate cups do not yellow despite years of holding tea and coffee. Though not 100% stain-proof, porcelain veneers will retain their color when properly cared for.

Another benefit of dental veneers is that they are created to match your natural tooth in terms of shape, size, and color. Porcelain veneers are made from a mold taken of your tooth. Then, your doctor helps you select a color that matches and complements your natural teeth. Your veneer is created to these exact specifications. That way, your veneer will not stand out from your surrounding teeth in any way.

Veneers can improve both the appearance and the strength of your teeth. For a tooth with minimal to moderate damage, such as worn enamel, dental veneers are a less invasive alternative to crowns or implants. Your weakened tooth will be reinforced, allowing you to enjoy your favorite foods pain-free.

Certain cosmetic dentistry techniques can require significant reshaping of your tooth or even extraction. In comparison, applying dental veneers takes little prep work. A small amount of enamel must be removed from the front of your teeth, but not every patient will require reshaping.

Additionally, the entire procedure is relatively quick. Applying porcelain veneers requires two separate appointments, each lasting only about an hour and a half.

Getting veneers put on your teeth involves minimal pain and discomfort. Unlike other dental procedures, there is no recovery period and virtually no side effects. The only discomfort you’re likely to experience is some sensitivity to cold and heat in the tooth that has the veneer.

Porcelain veneers are extremely versatile. Veneers can be used to correct almost any imperfections in your teeth or smile. For instance, crooked teeth or teeth spaced too far apart can often be corrected with veneers, eliminating the need for braces. You’ll see results instantaneously rather than waiting years. A discolored tooth can be corrected with a veneer instead of whitening.

Veneers are easy to care for. To maintain them, all you need to do is practice good oral hygiene. You’ll follow your regular daily routine of brushing and flossing, and be sure to schedule regular check-ups and cleanings.

Whatever it is that you’d like to change about your smile, dental veneers are quite possibly your best option. The process is simple, and the results are amazing.