If your teeth are crooked, misaligned, stained, or chipped, you may be uncomfortable showing off your smile. Dental veneers may be the ideal cosmetic dental service to help address your smile concerns. Our Whitehorse dentists answer FAQs about veneers.
What are dental veneers?
Veneers are thin shells made of tooth-coloured porcelain. They are custom-made and adhered to your teeth to cover discoloured, worn down, chipped, misaligned, uneven or irregularly shaped teeth.
What’s the difference between veneers and crowns?
Crowns cover your teeth like a cap. A veneer is a thin shell that is applied to the front of your tooth with less damage to the natural tooth.
Will I get cavities with veneers on my teeth?
The prevalence of tooth decay with veneers is similar to natural teeth as long as they receive appropriate care.
Can the dental veneer process be reversed?
Because a very thin layer of tooth enamel must be removed to accommodate the thickness of the veneer, the process isn’t considered reversible.
What are the advantages of dental veneers?
As far as dental restorations go, veneers preserve the most amount of tooth structure (compared to crowns, for instance) as they require very minimal tooth structure to be removed. They may help improve the appearance of your teeth, and gum tissues respond well to dental veneers. The colour can be matched to the other teeth and these types of restorations are relatively stain-resistant.
Are there disadvantages to dental veneers?
Once you have had your tooth prepared for the veneer, the process is not reversible. In the case that a veneer cracks, it is difficult to repair without having to replace the entire veneer. For people who have poor gum health, veneers are not a good option. It is important not to have habits like pen-chewing or nail-biting as these can crack the veneer. In addition, people who grind or clench their teeth are at risk for chipping or cracking their veneers. Lastly, veneers are still susceptible to decay so it is important that you maintain optimal oral health and visit your dentist regularly.
How long do dental veneers last?
Correctly produced and properly placed, porcelain veneers can last over 10-15 years. They do not require any special care other than regular brushing, flossing and visits to the dentist.
Will my veneers match my other teeth?
Your dentist will address this issue during your consultation. They will make a plan that will factor in the colour-matching process. Most people tend to whiten their natural teeth before beginning treatment so they can have their veneers made in a whiter shade.
Will tea, coffee or red wine stain my veneers?
Porcelain veneers should never stain. However, if your teeth have a tendency to stain, you should try to avoid or minimize drinking these beverages, as you want your natural tooth colour to remain as closely matched to your veneers as possible.
Will my veneered teeth be sensitive to hot and cold?
In the days after your veneers have been placed, there will likely be some sensitivity to hot and cold food and beverages due to having a thin layer of enamel removed. This feeling should disappear within a few days at most. It's a good idea to stay away from overly hot or cold foods in the first few days to allow the veneers to settle.
How strong are veneers? Are there restrictions on what I can eat?
Porcelain veneers are quite strong. Nevertheless, porcelain is a glass and so the veneers may crack if very strong forces are applied to them. It is recommended that you don't chew ice, hard nuts, candy apples, popcorn or other hard foods. Natural teeth are often damaged by these same foods, and while porcelain veneers are very resilient, they aren’t indestructible.
I grind my teeth at night. Will this damage my porcelain veneers?
Yes, this will eventually damage your veneers just as this habit will grind down natural teeth. Your dentist can provide you with a protective nightguard to reduce the stress on your teeth while you sleep.