Caring for your Smile after Veneers

A brief summary of the process of getting veneers and guidelines for caring for your teeth after veneer placement.

Many people are hesitant to have dental work done for cosmetic purposes for fear that they will be creating problems where there were none. But let’s face it, if your teeth are stained and discolored or you tend to hide your smile because of imperfections such as chips and minor gaps, you are suffering. It may not be the kind of physical pain that comes with diseased teeth, but with modern dentistry techniques available, there is no need to make your way through life with a less than perfect smile.

Veneers are an excellent option for those with good oral health who are looking to improve their “face value.”

How can veneers improve my smile?

Veneers cover only the front side of problem teeth, giving you a more perfect tooth surface to present to the world. There are two types. The first involves a moldable compound that the dentist uses to fix the shape of a tooth, or teeth. This method might be used to fix surface imperfections in the tooth or on misshapen teeth.

The second method, extremely popular because it looks so much like natural teeth, involves covering the problem tooth with a thin porcelain sleeve. Porcelain is ceramic, a glass substance that acts very much like enamel. It is white, but also penetrable by light, like enamel. When light strikes a natural tooth, it travels through the thin enamel surface and rebounds off the hard dentin surface below the enamel. This is what gives teeth their lustrous quality. Because porcelain veneers react to light in the same fashion as enamel, they make good coverings for teeth. And because of the many shades of white available, a dentist should be able to match your natural tooth coloring perfectly.

When might I consider veneers?

Anyone who has a history of good general oral health, but isn’t quite happy with the way their teeth look should talk to their dentist about veneers.

You might be a candidate for veneers if you find yourself covering your mouth when you smile due to;

• Permanent staining or discoloration of the teeth
• Chips, cracks, or surface irregularities in the teeth
• Minor misalignment leaving small gaps between teeth

Though many of these issues will not cause problems with bite or encourage decay in your teeth, they don’t make you feel like smiling, either. Even a decade ago you might have been encouraged to be thankful for your healthy teeth and just get by with your less than perfect smile. Those days are no more. Those whose smiles benefit from veneers say overwhelmingly that pearly whites have increased their confidence.

What special care do veneers require?

Veneers are a simple process with simple follow-up procedures. Composite veneers are usually completed in one dental visit; porcelain veneers completed in two (usually no more than two weeks apart). The after care is just like taking care of your regular teeth. You brush twice daily, floss, and see your dentist for regular checkups. The one caution with veneers is to avoid chewing on hard items such as ice, fingernails, pencil tips, etc. You are also advised not to clinch or grind your teeth. If you are a night-time teeth grinder, your dentist will be able to fit you with a plastic mouth guard that will help protect your teeth from damage.

If a veneer is broken, it has to be replaced. Also, they are intended to be a long-term cosmetic fix because of the application process. You cannot wear veneers for a while and then go without them again. Most wearers can expect to go ten or more years before needing to replace a veneer. The really good news is that your general dentist can complete the procedure. There is no need to pay the inflated fees of a cosmetic dentistry specialist.