In recent years, veneers have become much more popular, and for good reason. They are a great way to improve your smile, especially if you have fragile, discolored, or chipped teeth. However, they are a substantial investment, and you may not feel confident they are right for you.
If you are looking to enhance your smile and are considering getting veneers, there are many things you should know before making the investment. Our team at Mills River Family Dental has compiled a list of everything you should know before you decide to get veneers.
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are custom-fit shells applied over the front of your teeth to improve the overall appearance of your smile. These shells are made out of porcelain or a composite resin and come in a variety of shapes and colors to perfectly match your teeth. At the appointment, your dentist will bond them to your teeth using a cementing material and schedule a follow-up appointment to ensure a proper fit.
Are You A Good Candidate?
While veneers are beautiful, they are not for everyone. It is crucial to understand whether you are a good option for your teeth before making the investment. Some things to consider when thinking about getting veneers include the following:
- You Have Severe Staining: Many stains on your teeth can be lifted through whitening services. However, if professional whitening services are not enough to change the tone of your teeth, you are a good candidate.
- Chipped, Cracked, Or Misshapen Teeth: While some damage to your teeth can be addressed and repaired by your dentist, some are beyond repair. If this is the case, you are probably a good candidate for veneers.
- Your Teeth And Gums Are Healthy: It is important that they are healthy enough for this procedure. If they are not healthy enough currently, it may be a good idea to invest in restorative treatments before moving forward.
- You Have Plenty Of Enamel: When getting veneers, your dentist will grind off some of your tooth enamel to make room for the porcelain. You are likely not a good candidate if you don’t have enough enamel to protect the teeth beneath the veneer.
- You Grind Your Teeth: An estimated 10-15% of adults grind their teeth in their sleep. If this is something you do, you may want to speak to your dentist about remedies prior to getting veneers. Consistent grinding of your teeth can wear away at your veneers, so it is best to address this problem before making the investment.
What Are The Benefits Of Veneers?
If you have been thinking about getting veneers, it is probably a decision you’ve thought about for a long time, and there were many factors you considered before taking this step. But it is a worthwhile investment, that comes with many benefits. The benefits of getting veneers include the following:
- They Improve Your Smile: As we have mentioned, the most substantial benefit of getting veneers is the improvement it makes to your smile. Getting them may make enhancements to your smile that you haven’t been able to achieve otherwise.
- They Still Look Like Your Teeth: While getting veneers helps improve parts of your smile that you may be insecure about, they still look like your teeth at the end of the day. With veneers, you’ll gain confidence without feeling like a completely different person.
- They’re Stain Resistant: Unlike our natural teeth, veneers are resistant to staining that we experience during normal day-to-day activities. This means you won’t have to worry about staining from coffee, wine, and food.
- They Are Low Maintenance: While your veneers are stain resistant, it is still important that you brush and floss your teeth twice a day. However, as long as you are maintaining the same standard of oral hygiene as prior to getting veneers, your veneers will not require more upkeep.
How Do You Care For Them?
There are a few changes you may need to make when getting veneers, though much of your oral hygiene routine should remain the same. It is important that you only use a soft bristle toothbrush after getting veneers and that you brush gently. Brushing your veneers too hard may wear them down more quickly than expected. You should also maintain your regular teeth cleanings with your dentist, as this can prevent you from unintentionally damaging your veneers.
Your dentist may also recommend that you avoid chewing on hard foods, including ice, hard candies, and nuts, as they can damage your veneers in the same way they can damage your natural teeth. It is also crucial that you quit smoking prior to getting veneers. If you do not, you increase your risk of developing gum disease, which may cause your veneers to fail.
How Long Do They Last?
There are many factors that impact the longevity of your veneers. If you are not caring for them properly, it is not uncommon for their lifespan to significantly shrink. Porcelain or composite veneers last between 10 and 12 years. If your dentist offers composite resin veneers, however, they have an average lifespan of 4 to 8 years. You may also find yourself having to replace your veneers early if you don’t closely follow your dentist’s recommended care routine, so it is important that you take care of your veneers in the same way you care for your teeth.
Can You Get A Cavity With Veneers?
Even with veneers, it is crucial that you maintain proper oral hygiene. If you do not properly care for your teeth, you may notice they are sensitive, and you may experience cavities. Without appropriate treatment of the cavity, your veneer may fail, and the tooth may need to be pulled. After pulling, you may be able to get an implant, though you may have to wait if your gums and jawbone are not healthy.
Getting Veneers At Mills River Family Dental
If you are considering getting veneers, you should work with a dental team that can create your most beautiful, improved smile. At Mills River Family Dental, we are confident that we can create your perfect smile with our porcelain veneers. In addition to our cosmetic dentistry services, we provide root canals, general dentistry, and denture services to patients across the Mills River, NC, area. If you are interested in getting veneers and would like to speak with a member of our team, contact us today.