Understanding Your Teeths Condition Before Veneers
Getting dental veneers is a big decision that requires careful consideration of your existing tooth and oral health. As thin covers placed over teeth to improve appearance, veneers success depends greatly on the teeth they go on top of.
Knowing your teeths current condition lets you assess if you are a good veneer candidate as well as determine necessary prep work beforehand. Examining issues like decay, integrity, alignment and discoloration helps you and your dentist decide if veneers can provide the aesthetic smile transformation you desire.
Tooth Decay or Damage
Your dentist will evaluate for any underlying decay or previous fillings needing repair before veneer placement. Though veneers protect damaged spots, they cannot cover active infections or holes requiring more involved restorations.
Gum disease or tooth fractures must also heal before undergoing veneer procedures to ensure bonding strength and longevity of the thin porcelain covers.
Integrity of Tooth Structure
Veneers adhere best to intact enamel layers calmly covering 100% of the visible tooth surface. Cracks through deeper structures weaken bonding security and raise chances the shell will dislodge or leak over time.
Micro-fractures hardly visible yet causing sensitivity also risk longer term retention issues down the road. Such teeth may require crowns which envelope the entire tooth instead of veneers only overlaying the front.
Tooth Alignment Issues
The dentist notes crookedness, gaps, or crowding within your smile. Such alignment problems can sometimes resolve through teeth straightening prior to veneer placement for most seamless look and bonding.
However, veneers can cover small spaces while improving the smile line. Your dentist discusses options - either orthodontics first or veneers to align teeth instantly with the trade off of more prep work removing natural tooth layer underneath.
Discoloration or Stains
Veneers aim to cure discoloration for bright uniformly white teeth. But the existing shade before treatment establishes how much improvement is possible.
Yellowish teeth have good bleaching prospects from veneers made ultra-white. Grayish teeth suggest inner discoloration needing more preparation layer removal so porcelain covers can fully block underneath hues.
The Initial Veneers Consultation
During your first veneers visit, the dentist thoroughly reviews teeth health while explaining step-by-step procedures so you make fully informed choices suitable for your needs and lifestyle.
Clinical Examination
Dentists check for the above noted conditions with visual inspection and dental instruments like probes. Xrays may uncover hidden issues. Impressions or 3D scans of your teeth also aid analysis.
Discussion of Treatment Options
If veneers seem advisable for you, cosmetic experts present alternative interventions like teeth whitening or orthodontics plus conservation choices like bonding or partials and describe pros, cons and costs compared to veneers.
Mock Up Smiles
Dentists show how various veneer designs improve your smile using digital photos. You also get temporary clip-on veneers demonstrating possible outcomes you love before committing.
Oral Hygiene and Health Reminders
Keep brushing and flossing twice daily before treatment plus regular cleanings. Gum inflammation or grinding must resolve as these jeopardize veneer survival. Your role maintaining oral health supports their long-term success.
Teeth Preparation Prior to Veneer Placement
At your insertion appointment, the dentist prepares teeth for veneers fabricated custom for you. Though removal of some natural tooth layer is inevitable to allow space for them to bond properly, conservative minimally invasive techniques preserve as much original structure as possible.
Numbing and Isolation
Expect injections to deeply numb treatment areas followed by cotton rolls isolating one or two teeth at a time for safety and precision.
Reduction Amounts and Methods
Based on diagnostic evaluations and shade needs, the dentist judges appropriate tooth layer removal utilizing tiny diamond drill bits. Amounts range from .3mm to .8mm for traditional veneers up to 1.5mm for thicker more conservative options.
Tooth Sensitivity
As mineralized layers exposing tooth tubules get removed, sensitivity emerges ranging from mild to quite uncomfortable for a short period. Desensitizing fluoride varnishes provide comfort until you adjust.
Fitting and Bonding
Final shaving customizes the fit as veneers get secured with bonding agents. Adjustments ensure correct shape, size and bite alignment. Youll quickly adapt to increased dimension from extension widths.
Caring for Teeth Post Veneers
The first two weeks after placement, veneers remain vulnerable until cement fully cures. Special care protects bonding stability and longevity of your investment.
Cleaning Care
Avoid staining foods/drinks for 48 hours. Brush gently along gumlines to dislodge food particles. Dont floss too aggressively and avoid hard, crunchy or chewy foods putting pressure.
Comfort Care
Use desensitizing toothpaste if you experience temperature or tactile sensitivity which resolves in about 4 weeks. Give your tongue and cheeks time to adjust to new tooth sizes.
Long Term Maintenance
Practice excellent hygiene with routine cleanings to prevent decay or gum issues lifting veneer edges over decades of use. Avoid grinding and nail biting. See your dentist promptly with any cracks or dislodging.
Following proper care before and after treatment results in successful veneer integration for improved smile aesthetics and confidence lasting approximately 20 years.
FAQs
What should you consider before getting veneers?
Before getting veneers, it’s important to evaluate your teeth for decay, damage, integrity, alignment, and discoloration to determine if you are a good candidate, and what additional treatments may be needed to prepare your teeth for a long-lasting application.
Can I get veneers if I have some tooth gaps or minor alignment issues?
Veneers can cover small gaps and alignment imperfections. Those seeking major alignment improvement would likely undergo orthodontics before having veneers placed to straighten the teeth to allow for optimal bonding and a seamless smile result.
Should I whiten my teeth before veneers?
It is not always necessary to whiten beforehand. If teeth already have moderate yellowing, veneers are usually constructed extra-white to upgrade color. However, for greyish discoloration, the natural tooth layers underneath need whitened first so veneers fully block the unwanted hues.
Is there sensitivity or pain with veneers?
Some tooth layer removal for veneer placement may cause temporary temperature or tactile sensitivity for a few weeks. Over-the-counter desensitizing toothpaste brings comfort until you adjust to the new thin covers.
How long do I need to be gentle with veneers after placement?
Avoid hard biting and crunchy or chewy foods that could put pressure and shift veneers for the first two weeks after getting them. Careful flossing is advised as cement fully solidifies bonding veneers in place over this initial period.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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