In the world of cosmetic dentistry, veneers are one of the most popular solutions these days. Several individuals who are exploring this dental prosthesis question if it would harm their natural teeth if they get it installed. Veneers, when done correctly, will not harm your teeth. But before you prepare yourself for veneers, there are things you should know about them.
Veneers (dental veneers) do not harm your teeth in any way. In reality, they help to enhance the look of teeth that are damaged or have flaws. To create room for the veneers, only a minimal amount of tooth structure is removed. Even if the veneer cracks, the damage may be repaired by purchasing a new veneer. Make sure you have a skilled and knowledgeable dentist place the veneer on your teeth. Traditional porcelain veneers permanently modify the tooth structure to offer you a beautiful smile.
Veneers and their importance
Veneers are tooth-shaped coatings that are placed over your natural teeth to conceal imperfections while also altering their form, size, and colour. Veneers are often made of ceramics or porcelain, although they can also comprise composite materials. When a person’s teeth contain inherent stains that whitening procedures have little to no impact on, dentists frequently opt for veneers.
Veneers are also used in cosmetic dentistry for the following reasons:
- Teeth that have been worn down owing to erosion or grinding
- Teeth that have been chipped or fractured
- Teeth that are misaligned, poorly formed, or unequal
- A patient’s grin has gaps in it.
Any guy cannot be a good candidate for veneers. As a result, we’ll need to examine your mouth thoroughly to see if you’re a suitable candidate for this prosthesis. An X-ray is frequently included in this examination to help us see what’s going on beneath the surface of your teeth.
If we conclude that you are not a suitable candidate for veneers, other cosmetic dentistry procedures such as composite veneers, dental bonding, or orthodontic treatments may be able to help you repair your smile. During your appointment, we will go through all of these possibilities with you.
How Veneers Affect the Enamel of Your Teeth
If your cosmetic dental treatment plan is in the hands of a skilled cosmetic dentist, you can rest assured that veneers are completely harmless for your natural teeth and won’t destroy your teeth. It’s extremely crucial to note regarding the safety of veneers, like with other cosmetic dentistry treatments, is to only trust an expert cosmetic dentist.
You can always ask for before and after images of other patients’ smile makeovers before committing to veneers with a dental expert to get an idea of the dentist’s aesthetic talents. You should also make sure that your dentist has experience doing cosmetic procedures and that they have the required certifications to do so.
Your dentist will remove around half a millimetre of enamel from each tooth on which veneers will be placed in order to prepare them for veneers. This procedure will make space for the veneer so that it does not seem larger than it is.
Then your dentist will put some anaesthetic around the region to numb it before removing the enamel. After that, they will take an imprint of your teeth so that a dental lab can create personalised veneers for you. Through a procedure that normally takes two to three weeks, the lab will be able to match the exact proportions. Temporary veneers will be used to safeguard your teeth until your personalised prosthesis is ready to be installed.
Is it possible to get cavities under veneers?
Yes, cavities may form behind veneers, but only if you don’t wash and floss your teeth correctly. Although veneers provide an extra layer of protection by separating teeth from their surroundings, decay can still grow beneath and around the veneer. Who is the regular perpetrator? A high-sugar diet combined with inadequate tooth care. Bacteria can also develop and spread if your dentist didn’t properly glue the veneers in the first place. Therefore, it’s crucial to make an appointment with a reputable dentist who has lots of expertise with veneers.
How to Care for Veneers and Keep Your Teeth Safe
Taking care of your veneers is the greatest approach to safeguarding your teeth. Brushing twice a day for two minutes each time, as well as flossing on a regular basis, is required. This useful advice is provided by the Australian Dental Association. Manual toothbrushes are good, but electric toothbrushes provide greater accessibility to difficult regions in your mouth.
Other suggestions:
- Clenching your teeth can wear down veneers, making you more prone to decay. Your dentist might discuss other treatment options with you or provide you with a nighttime splint or retainer.
- Foods that are rough, tough, or sticky should be avoided (such as raw vegetables, nuts and brittle lollies). Limit your intake of foods and beverages that can discolour your teeth (berries, coffee, wine and tomatoes).
- If you ingest any things that may discolour your teeth, be sure to thoroughly rinse your mouth.
- Do not use your teeth to open bottles, chew on ice, bite your nails, or perform other similar tasks.
- See your dentist every six months for thorough cleaning to remove any tartar that has built up.
- Always use a mouthguard when participating in contact sports.
Things to know about veneers
- Veneers cannot be lightened after they have been installed, so if you just want veneers on a few teeth and want a whiter smile, whiten all of your teeth beforehand. On veneers, teeth whitening procedures are ineffective. Before the treatment, the veneers can be tailored to fit your newly whitened teeth.
- Enhance the lifespan: Porcelain laminate veneers often last 10 to 15 years before needing replacement. The more you look after them, the longer they will endure. Increased survival rates – even 20 years – have been reported in several clinical investigations. The prosthesis can be rebonded or restored before it reaches the end of its life if it breaks by accident. To avoid any harm to your enamel or the root of your tooth, see your dentist very soon.
- There’s no turning back: This is a once-in-a-lifetime commitment, so take it only if you’re seeking a long-term answer. To properly accept the veneers, a little layer of enamel is routinely removed from your original teeth, making the procedure irreversible.
- Porcelain vs. composite veneers: These are the two most common forms, each with its own set of benefits and downsides, based on the patient’s specific needs. Composite veneers, for instance, are less expensive but less resilient. Porcelain veneers have a longer lifespan, but they also require more treatment sessions.
- Porcelain or ceramic veneers typically cost between $1,700 and $1,900 per tooth, depending on a variety of criteria. Composite veneers are less expensive, costing between $450 and $700 for each tooth. Based on your level of coverage, a portion of the therapy may be reimbursed by private medical insurance.
- Veneers aren’t right for everyone; individuals with active gingivitis or severely damaged teeth should consider other options.
Veneers: How Long Do They Last?
Veneers, like actual teeth, must be cared for and maintained, but they are far more durable than natural teeth. Your veneers will endure for years, if not decades if properly cared for, and will only need to be changed if a problem arises. It’s entirely up to you how long your veneers endure!
Veneers’ Benefits and Drawbacks
The decision to go with veneers, like everything else in life, will include advantages and downsides, which will vary based on the patient’s unique condition. These top reasons are more than likely to assist you in deciding if veneers are suited for you or not:
The benefits of veneers
- A rise in your confidence level as a result of a more perfect grin
- For a flawless fit, they’re custom-molded for your teeth.
- The difference between a veneer and a natural tooth is practically hard to identify.
- Veneers are glued to your tooth in its natural state, so no extra drilling or shaping is required in most circumstances.
- Brushing and flossing are the only things that are necessary for upkeep.
- Since you choose the shade that’s appropriate for you, you’ll always have your ideal brilliant, white grin that never fades.
The disadvantages of veneers
- Veneers do not turn yellow once they are produced, whereas your natural teeth will. When choosing the colour of your veneers, it’s crucial to keep this point in mind.
- Veneers are more likely than crowns or fillings to chip and break.
- People who bite their nails, clench their teeth, or chew on ice or other hard things should avoid veneers.
- Anyone with a history of compromised enamel, gingivitis, or other dental issues should avoid them.
How Can Veneers Change the Look of Your Smile?
Veneers are used to improve the appearance of teeth that are somewhat less than perfect due to any of the following factors:
Teeth that are discoloured
Teeth that have been highly discoloured due to root canal procedures, stains, excessive fluoride usage, or other factors, such as massive resin fillings that have stained the tooth
Teeth that have been worn down
Teeth that have become worn down as a result of grinding, erosion, decay, and other oral habits
Teeth that are chipped
Teeth with several cracks, chips, or breaks on any surface of the tooth
Misaligned teeth
Teeth having fissures or bulges that are misplaced, uneven, or oddly formed
Gapped teeth
Teeth with a single or several spaces between them. Teeth gaps generate noticeable dark spots that show out in the entirely wrong manner.
Are you looking forward to a new smile?
The first step in obtaining veneers is to schedule an appointment with a certified and trustworthy cosmetic dentist to have your teeth evaluated. Your dentist and you can decide if veneers are a suitable choice for you and your smile makeover after a consultation visit. Contact a reputable cosmetic dentist immediately if you’re ready to change your smile and get the many benefits of veneers.