Are Veneers The Right Option For Me?
There's an old saying that “You're never fully dressed without a smile”. True, a beautiful smile is a great accessory but for those who suffer from chipped teeth, crookedness or discoloration, it’s understandable why someone might not be so willing to bare their teeth. Fortunately, there are a number of options available to give your smile a boost, one of which is a porcelain dental enhancement called veneers. Veneers have become an increasingly popular treatment option to transform smiles, instantly.
Typically an expensive and collaborative process, getting veneers isn't something one should do on a whim. Like any procedure, veneers require thought and consideration — and knowing the right questions to ask. Below we’ve included all the information you need to know about veneers.
AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR VENEERS?
Veneers are great for anyone who is looking to change the color, size, shape and width of their smile. Ideally, one's gums and bone structure should be solid and healthy.
WHAT DENTAL ISSUES DO VENEERS ADDRESS?
Veneers can fix a number of dental issues including chipping, staining, old restorations and fillings, an uneven or narrow smile, spacing problems, crowding, a poor bite and even internal staining from antibiotics or fluorosis.
WILL VENEERS SUIT MY FACE?
It's important to keep in mind that when it comes to veneers, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Every patient is going to be different. There are a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and smile designs that can come into play. The dentist will have to take everything into account from your personality, to skin tone, eye, and hair color. They can design all this in the wax-up to see what this would look like in the temporary phase to adjust and make changes as needed.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO VENEER SOME OF MY TEETH ONLY?
As with all dental procedures, your needs and preferences will differ from the next person’s but the good news is you can veneer some or all of your teeth. You can do 6 or 16, it’s purely up to you.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PARTIAL AND FULL VENEERS?
Fun fact: porcelain restorations encompass veneers, crowns and bridges. It's all the same material, what differs is the amount of the tooth that is being covered. And a lot of cases include a combination.
DOES THE PROCEDURE REQUIRE ANESTHESIA?
Local anesthesia is required when undergoing a veneer application.
ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS OR RECOVERY TIME?
While there are minimal side effects, in the short-term some people might experience tooth sensitivity. This could happen anytime you are having work done to a tooth, though and typically there is no downtime after getting veneers: Patients typically go back to work the very same day or the next day at the latest.
IS THERE ANYONE WHO ISN'T A GOOD CANDIDATE?
Your dentist will determine your candidacy, it’s based on a case by case basis as every treatment plan is different. Sometimes crowns are a better option because of the amount of tooth structure lost due to grinding. Another reason someone might not be able to get veneers is that they have very large, old fillings left. Whatever the reason, your dentist at Tower Dental will discuss all options with you.
WHAT DOES A FULL SET OF VENEERS TYPICALLY COST?
Our clinic always strives to offer the most affordable treatments. If you are interested in finding out more please contact our clinic on 03 9817 7144, we’ll be more than happy to answer your questions.
HOW DO I MAINTAIN MY VENEERS?
It’s advisable to have regular checkups and cleanings like you would with regular teeth. Maintain good oral habits and hygiene as you normally would. We would also advise to come into the clinic at least once a year for routine maintenance.
WOULD I NEED TO GET MY VENEERS WHITENED?
Veneers have good color stability compared to the natural tooth so you do not need to get them whitened.
HOW LONG DO VENEERS LAST?
With proper care at home and regular check-ups at the dentist, veneers can last for many years, although they can still chip or break like natural teeth which can be repaired or replaced by one of our dentists.
PREPARING A NATURAL TOOTH FOR A VENEER
Your Tower Dental dentist will remove about 1/2 millimeter of enamel from the tooth surface, which is an amount nearly equal to the thickness of the veneer to be added to the tooth surface. Before trimming off the enamel, you and your dentist will decide the need for a local anesthetic to numb the area. Next, your dentist will make a model or impression of your tooth. This model is sent out to a dental laboratory, which in turn constructs your veneer. It usually takes 2-4 weeks for your dentist to receive the veneers back from the laboratory. For very unsightly teeth, temporary dental veneers can be placed.
HOW DO YOU CARE FOR YOUR VENEERS?
Maintaining your veneers properly means they will last longer. Follow these tips:
1. Keep them clean. You must care for your veneers just as much as you care for your real teeth. Brushing at least twice a day and using dental floss are great ways to maintain optimal dental health. Poor hygiene can also lead to gum diseases, which may cause your gums to recede, exposing the borders of veneers and putting them at risk of chipping or detachment.
2. Use the right toothpaste. Some toothpaste brands may contain ingredients that are too abrasive for both your teeth and your veneers. When choosing your toothpaste, make sure to check the ingredients for substances like hydrogen peroxide and sodium bicarbonate or baking soda. The former will eat away at your veneers’ surface while the latter’s gritty nature can lead to the veneers losing their color and sheen. In general, it may be wiser to choose gel products over those in paste form as they tend to contain none of the ingredients mentioned. Steer away from whitening toothpastes, as they are not necessary and may even be detrimental to your veneers.
3. Do not bite into very hard objects. Very hard objects, such as metal caps and glass bottles can chip the porcelain. If you have the habit of biting into random things, such as pencils, pens, or even ice, it would be helpful if you can take steps to end the mannerism.
4. Watch what you eat. The rule against biting hard stuff also applies to food, such as raw carrots, raw apples, hard chips, and meat cuts that contain bone. Aside from watching out for tough food items, you must also be wary of eating things that contain lots of sugar and acid. These items contribute to tooth decay which are not good for your veneers either. That said, be sure to avoid sweet and starchy foods, such as candies, pastas, breads, and crackers, as well sugary drinks like carbonated soda and fruit juice. Acidic items like fruits (lemons and other kinds of citrus) are also best prevented from staying too long inside your mouth. Finally, avoid food that contain lots of coloring. Veneers do get stained, just not very easily.
5. Avoid excessive use of alcohol. Consuming lots of alcoholic drinks will soften the bonding composites holding the veneers to your teeth. While this doesn’t mean the veneers will come loose, it will make the bonding line more prone to damage, deterioration, and stains. Alcohol is not found just in beverages though. When buying mouthwash or toothpaste, check the ingredient list to see if they contain alcohol as these can be just as damaging as liquor.
6. Address teeth grinding. Bruxism can be a problem for some people and they can’t help it. If you grind your teeth when you’re asleep, check with your doctor on what you can do to manage the issue. You will most likely be told to wear a mouth guard while sleeping. Needless to say, teeth grinding damages veneers, so making sure the problem is looked into will save you from further expenses.
7. Choose your toothbrush. Brushing your teeth does wonders for your teeth’s health and your veneers’ longevity, but only if you use the right toothbrush. Pick one that’s not too hard as it will scratch the surface of your veneers. Settle instead for a toothbrush that has soft bristles.
8. Wear a mouth guard. If you play a contact sport be sure to wear a mouth guard as this will minimize the impact of any strong force you may encounter.
9. Visit your dentist regularly. There are two reasons why you should do this. For one, your dentist can help you avoid gum and mouth infections that can adversely affect the quality and the state of your veneers. Second, they can address any problem that might come up before it gets worse, such as chips, cracks, or deteriorating bonds between your veneers and your teeth.
Keep in mind that veneers, like everything else, do not last forever. You will have to replace them after a definite period. Your dentist can give you recommendations on when you will need to get your replacement veneers, or if you need a different solution.
If you want to improve the quality and the appearance of your smile, there is very little doubt on the effectiveness of veneers. However, in order to obtain and maximize the benefits they offer, it takes more than just being able to afford them, you also have to know how to maintain them.
If you’re ready to change your smile, schedule an appointment with us today. Telephone 9817 7144 or book an appointment online at www.towerdental.com.au