Do you have any chipped teeth at the front of your smile? Are your teeth not as bright a white you’d like them to be? Are you bothered by a few crooked teeth or gaps between your teeth? If you answered yes to any of those questions, you may be a good candidate for cosmetic dental care in Edmonton, or dental veneers.
Dental veneers are thin porcelain or resin coverings that attach to your teeth. Veneers make your smile bright white and uniform while looking just like natural teeth.
You may have heard about veneers before, but you might not know if your teeth are a good match for this cosmetic dentistry procedure or how to care for your teeth after veneers. This blog gives you a before-and-after guide to prepare for and maintain dental veneers.
Before You Receive Veneers
You may hope to enjoy the smile-correcting benefits of veneers, but you should ask your Edmonton dentist for an assessment before you assume that veneers are your best cosmetic option. When your dentist evaluates your teeth, he or she will look for these issues:
Tooth decay. You’ll have to treat cavities and other tooth decay issues before proceeding with veneers.
Not enough enamel. Veneers attach to the enamel on your existing natural teeth. If your enamel has worn away too much, the veneer and the bonding material will not be able to attach to your teeth.
Gum disease. You’ll need healthy gums before your dentist can attach veneers. That’s because your dentist will remove some enamel from your teeth, including around gum tissue, to prep your teeth for veneers. Attaching a veneer can exacerbate inflammation and gum sensitivity associated with gum disease.
Evidence of teeth grinding or clenching. Veneers are strong, but they can chip or crack like natural teeth if they undergo repeated stress from teeth grinding or jaw clenching. Your dentist will want you to break these habits before you receive veneers.
Bite problems. Your teeth should fit together properly before you receive veneers. If they don’t, they could be susceptible to decay. They also might not be in the right places to have veneers attached. You might need tooth aligning procedures before you proceed with veneers.
If our Edmonton dentists find that your teeth are ready for veneers, the next step will be to decide how many you will need in order to create your ideal smile. Your dentist will examine all teeth that are visible when you smile. The goal of this exam is to identify teeth that are chipped, discolored, worn down, uneven, misaligned, or otherwise unpleasant in appearance. Your dentist will then determine which teeth need veneers to cover up their imperfections. Some patients need only a few dental veneers to correct smile aesthetics; others require on almost all visible teeth. How many veneers you need depends on the state of your natural teeth and the overall look you wish to achieve. Keep in mind that veneers are a cosmetic dental procedure, so your dental insurance may not pay for this treatment. Each veneer costs approximately $1,000 to $2,000, but the results can last for 10 to 15 years or more if you care for them properly. Let’s learn how you can protect this investment in your appearance. After You Receive Veneers Once your veneers are in place, you may leave the dentist’s office with a more confident smile. You can take several precautions to ensure that your veneers maintain that glowing appearance. Here’s how to care for them:
Brush and floss your veneers daily, just as you do your natural teeth.
Refrain from biting on hard substances, like ice or fingernails, as this can weaken your veneers.
Avoid clenching or grinding your teeth.
Have your dental hygienist use a mild polishing paste at your checkups so your veneers can maintain their bright shine.
As noted above, your veneers should last at least 10 years. The better you care for them, the longer they’ll remain bright and maintain their perfect shapes. If your veneers wear down or become damaged, you will have to have them replaced. You cannot just ask your dentist to take them off so you can return to using your natural teeth. Your dentist wears away some of your natural tooth’s enamel before placing a veneer, so your natural tooth no longer fills out your smile once you receive veneers. Of the many cosmetic dental options available to you, veneers are one of the most permanent smile-fixing solutions. Veneers represent a long-term investment in your smile, one you can be happy with for years to come. If you’d like to enjoy the benefits of veneers, ask our Edmonton dentists at Westmount Dental Centre to assess your teeth at your next appointment.