Dental Veneers: An Easy Bridge to a Great Smile

Your smile is usually one of the first things people notice about you. So it’s normal to be a little self-conscious about your smile from time to time, and even want to take steps to enhance your teeth’s overall appearance.

If you have unevenly spaced, chipped, or discolored teeth, dental veneers might be the solution for you. These thin porcelain coverings are designed to cover up a wide range of physical problems with your teeth, giving you that Hollywood smile you’ve been wanting.

Here are a couple of advantages of getting dental veneers:

Veneer Teeth Are a Quick Solution to an Extensive Range of Minor Dental Problems

Dental veneers are a great choice if you are searching for a quick, permanent solution to your chipped, missing, misshapen, stained, or discolored teeth.

Veneers are bonded to the front surface of the existing teeth using dental cement. While they cannot change the position of your existing tooth, they can camouflage almost any minor orthodontic problem you may have.

Dental Veneers Look More Natural

Veneers have a more natural appearance. This is because dentists customize each veneer teeth to fit and blend in with the existing teeth perfectly.

The dentist will first reshape the front surface of your affected teeth. Then, they will make impressions or models of your teeth and take them to the laboratory, where they will use them to design your veneer teeth.

When your veneers are ready, your dentist will compare them with your natural teeth and reshape each veneer tooth to ensure that they fit seamlessly with your natural teeth.

Getting Dental Veneers Is Not Painful

Unlike other dental procedures such as tooth extraction that may be painful, getting veneer teeth is not uncomfortable. This is because the process does not involve any drilling or several anesthesia injections. You may feel some sensitivity when the dentist fits the dental veneer onto your tooth, but it will subside once the process is over.

When getting dental veneers, your dentist will shave off a very small amount of the front surface of your teeth to allow the veneers to fit perfectly. The procedure is also less invasive compared to other dental processes, such as getting crowns.

Veneer Teeth Are a More Permanent Teeth Whitening Option

There are many things that may cause your teeth to lose their natural white color, such as drinking too much coffee and high-acidic beverages like soda, eating foods with high amounts of soy sauce, and smoking cigarettes.

While there are ways you can get your teeth whitened, most of these methods are temporary. Dental veneers are a more permanent teeth whitening option because they are stain-resistant, sparing you the cost of having to get your teeth whitened regularly. However, it is important to keep in mind that there are two different types of veneer teeth; porcelain and resin composite veneers.

Porcelain veneers are known to be more stain-resistant compared to resin veneers. They are also designed to mimic the light-reflecting properties of regular teeth, making them look more natural. However, porcelain veneers cost a little bit more than resin veneers.

Tips on How to Care for Dental Veneers

Dental veneers don’t need any special care, unlike braces that require you to care for your teeth, gums, and the brace’s wires and brackets. However, you still have to give them the same attention you would give your natural teeth.

Here are simple tips on how to care for your veneer teeth.

Practice Good Dental Hygiene

Just because veneers are stain-resistant doesn’t mean you can neglect them. It is important to take care of them as if they are your normal teeth. This involves brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and rinsing your mouth with some antiseptic mouthwash.

However, it is essential to use a non-abrasive toothbrush to avoid causing micro-scratches on the surface of your veneer teeth. It is also recommendable to use non-abrasive toothpaste that does not contain harsh ingredients such as baking soda. These components will not only damage the surface of your veneers but will make them susceptible to discoloration.

It is also vital to use an alcohol-free mouthwash. This is because exposing your dental veneers to alcohol can soften the cement that holds them to your natural teeth. While the softening may not cause your veneers to break, it may make them prone to discoloration.

Avoid Clenching or Grinding Your Teeth

If you have a habit of clenching or grinding your teeth, your veneers may not last long. Also known as bruxism, this habit puts a lot of pressure on your dental veneers, which may cause them to break off easily.

This unconscious behavior may also have a negative effect on your natural teeth. For starters, grinding and clenching of teeth may affect the muscles and joints in your jaws, causing you to develop a condition called temporomandibular disorder. TMD can lead to severe neck, facial, and even shoulder pain, causing you to have difficulties chewing, swallowing, and talking.

One way to protect your dental veneers if you have bruxism is to purchase a nighttime bite guard. It is made of strong material, enabling it to protect your dental veneers for missing teeth from the pressure that comes from grinding and clenching the rest of your natural teeth.

Avoid Chewing on Excessively Hard Materials

Another habit that may damage even your best veneers is the tendency to chew on hard materials such as ice, nails, and even pens. Although veneer teeth are quite durable, chewing on these items may cause them to crack and even break.

Invest in a Mouth Guard

If you engage in vigorous activities such as football, it is recommendable to get yourself a mouthguard. While it is quite uncomfortable inside the mouth, it is made of thick material that can absorb high-intensity impacts and shocks when you fall or collide with the other players. Otherwise, that sudden impact may significantly raise your teeth veneers’ costs.

Avoid Foods That May Stain Your Veneer Teeth

While porcelain veneers are highly stain-resistant, some foods and beverages may cause them to discolor easily. So, it is vital to avoid foods and drinks such as coffee, red wine, sodas, pasta with too much soy sauce, among others.

Make the Right Choice

Dental veneers such as Lumineers teeth are an excellent way to help permanently camouflage dental problems, such as discolored or misshapen teeth. If you think dental veneers might be the right choice for your smile goals, schedule a consultation with Dr. Sara Boren to find out!