Dental Veneers are extremely thin pieces of porcelain that your dentist bonds permanently in place over your natural teeth. They’re a quick way to a beautiful smile and they’re a perfect solution for people with teeth that are stained, chipped or have gaps. If you’ve been considering getting veneers, you may be wondering what the long term affects can be and if they may impact your daily oral hygiene routine.
Veneers are oftentimes a less intrusive option than crowns or braces. Veneers can be used to close gaps or correct smaller misalignments in your teeth. They can also be a cosmetic solution that works to enhance the brightness of your teeth and straighten your smile by correcting discoloration, fractures or small chips. Porcelain is the most commonly used material in creating veneers and can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years.
If you’ve always had a healthy daily dental hygiene routine, you can expect to continue this same routine after you’ve had veneers placed. You will want to continue to brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste and floss at least once a day. While veneers cover up your teeth, the underlying enamel can still decay if you’re not brushing and flossing properly.
Many toothpastes today advertise whitening effects which contain abrasives that work to buff out surface stains and remove plaque. If you have veneers, you should stay away from these types of toothpastes. Porcelain is much denser than tooth enamel, but brushing regularly with an abrasive toothpaste can cause porcelain to lose its shine and luster over time. Another issue is these abrasives can actually wear down the adhesive that is used to attach your veneers to your natural teeth.
Is there a lot of special instructions to remember after getting veneers? Not at all. Simply avoid abrasive toothpastes and continue on with your daily hygiene routine and you’ll have a beautiful, healthy smile for decades.
After you’ve had your dental veneers placed, it’s important to see the dentists at Vestal Dental for your 6 month cleaning and examination. Even if you are disciplined in your daily dental hygiene routine, you still need your regular cleaning to remove plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth. Your 6 month exam also gives our dentists the opportunity to check your veneers to make sure they’re looking great and maintaining their solid bond.
If you’re dissatisfied with your teeth, come see the experienced team at Vestal Dental to learn how veneers can give you a healthy, confident smile without the discomfort of braces or crowns. We’ve invested in the technology and training that allows us to create and place veneers quickly and painlessly. We look forward to speaking with you to help you learn if porcelain veneers are the right choice for you.