For many years, the solution to crooked teeth was wearing braces. However, cosmetic dentistry has become very popular in the last decade or so. Every day, more people want to fix something about their teeth. Some people just want to straighten them. Others wish their teeth were a couple of shades lighter, and others just don’t like their shape and length. Thankfully there is an answer for all of these cases and a dentist in Cranbrook can hear your complaints, assess your situation and tell you what procedures you qualify for. A very popular procedure nowadays is veneers and, in this article, you will learn all you need to know about veneers near you.
What are veneers?
Veneers are porcelain shells that are attached to your teeth to conceal the front surface of them and modify their shape, colour, and alignment. They can be altered according to your desires and your dentist’s recommendations for a natural look. By obtaining porcelain veneers near you, you can basically design your new smile. Veneers have existed for many years but only recently have they caught the attention of the general public. Before that, most celebrities underwent this procedure to obtain the perfect smile. But now, a dental clinic near you should offer this service.
What is the process of getting veneers?
The first thing you must know is that this procedure can’t be done in just one session. This is because, in the first session, your dentist will trim a little bit of your enamel to make space for the veneers in your mouth. Once he or she has done this, they will take molds of your teeth and send them to the laboratory for fabrication. This process may take a couple of weeks. Once the veneers are ready, your dentist will schedule a new appointment to place the permanent veneers. These are attached to your teeth with special cement, and a UV light is used to dry and harden the cement. Once you walk away from the appointment with your permanent veneers, you can resume your normal life.
How long do they last?
Unfortunately, veneers are not permanent and they are irreversible. What this means is that since you will have to file your enamel before attaching the veneers, you won’t be able to just take them off because your enamel won’t grow back. You will always need porcelain veneers or crowns to protect your natural teeth. However, porcelain veneers are fairly durable. They can last anywhere from 12 to 25 years on average. Once this time has passed, you will need to replace them.
Do they require special care?
If you are considering getting porcelain veneers in Cranbrook, and you now know that they are irreversible, chances are you will want to know how to make them last as long as possible. The most important thing is to have excellent oral health habits. Brush your teeth with a soft bristle brush after every meal and floss at least once daily. This will prevent tooth decay, which is known to be the number one cause of veneers falling off. Other than that, you should attend your regular checkups with your dentist where he or she will assess the state of your teeth and veneers—if necessary they will intervene.
In regards to foods and drinks to abstain from, it is important to stay clear of foods that are too hard or can exert excessive pressure on the veneers. Although it is not technically a food, ice is just one example. Also, try to avoid foods and drinks that can stain your teeth, such as coffee, dark teas, and soft drinks. However, keep in mind that although these may stain your veneers, they can be eliminated by polishing them. Finally, if you practice a contact sport, you should wear a mouth guard to protect your veneers from any trauma.