If you want to improve the overall look of your smile, dental veneers are a great non-surgical alternative to dental implants. If you’re unfamiliar with what dental veneers are, you can think of them as thin shell-like covers for your teeth. Sometimes veneers are made from a composite resin material, but most times they are made from porcelain. Speaking with your dentist will help you better determine which material works best for your needs since each type of veneer serves its own purpose. Either of the veneers are placed on top of the surface of your teeth using a dental cement. Some of the benefits that veneers offer at first glance is they offer cosmetic improvements to problems like:
- broken or chipped teeth
- severe discoloration or uneven coloring that can’t be fixed with whitening
- gaps in the teeth
- smaller-than-average teeth
- pointed or unusually shaped teeth
Things to remember before you receive your veneers:
- Healthy Mouth – Before you get veneers, you’ll want to make sure that your oral hygiene is up to par. This means you’ll want your dentist to clear up any diseases or decay might be suffering from.
- Stop clenching and grinding teeth – If you clench your teeth or frequently grind your teeth your dentist might recommend receiving a nightguard to protect your veneers while you sleep.
- Irreversible process – You should always keep in mind that once your dentist removes the enamel from your teeth it cannot be undone.
Things to remember once your veneers are placed:
- Under heavy pressure, veneers can break
- Since the veneer is sensitive to extreme pressure, you should avoid chewing ice, the tips of pins, and even your fingernails.
- It takes some time to get use to –
- Since veneers are a dental prosthetic it might take you a few days to get accustomed to your new dental appliances. If you feel like your bite isn’t correcting itself after a week or two, then speak to your dentist so they can make the proper adjustments.
More information:
Just like any dental procedure, there are more things to take into consideration before and after your treatment. To learn more about the dental veneer process, contact our offices in Arroyo Grande, California to schedule an appointment with Dr. Bauer.