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If you have teeth that are chipped, crooked, or misaligned, we understand how you may be uncomfortable letting the world see your smile. But, dental veneers may be a solution for you to consider. Today, our North York dentists talk to you about dental veneers and answer some of the most common FAQs.
What are dental veneers?
Veneers are thin shells made of tooth-coloured porcelain. They are custom-made and applied to your teeth to help cover chipped, worn down, discoloured, uneven, misaligned, or irregularly shaped teeth.
What is the difference between crowns and veneers?
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.
Can 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.
Is the procedure reversible?
Since a very thin layer of tooth enamel has to be removed to accommodate the thickness of the veneer, it isn't considered a reversible process.
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.
What are the disadvantages of dental veneers?
After your teeth have been prepared for the veneers, the process can't be revered. In an event where the veneer cracks, it's hard to repair without replacing the entire veneer. Veneers aren't usually recommended for people that have poor gum health. It's imperative not to have habits such as nail-biting or pen-chewing as these can make veneers crack. On top of this, people who clench or grind their teeth have a risk of cracking or chipping their veneers. Finally, veneers are still prone to decay so it's essential to maintain optimal oral health and attend regular appointments with your dentist.
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.
How do I get my new veneers to match my other teeth?
Your dentist will discuss this with you at your consultation. They will develop a plan that will include the colour matching process. Lots of patients like to whiten their natural teeth before starting their treatment so their veneers can be a whiter shade.
Does coffee, tea, and red wine stain porcelain 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 veneers make my teeth sensitive to hot and cold temperatures?
During the first several days after your veneers have been placed, there will probably be a bit of sensitivity to hot and cold food and drinks as a result of having a thin layer of enamel removed. This feeling should go away within a few days at the most. We recommend staying away from overly hot or cold foods in the first few days to give the veneers time to settle.
How strong are veneers? Will there be any restrictions on what I can eat?
Porcelain veneers are fairly strong. However, porcelain is glass, so the veneers could crack if very strong forces are applied to them. We recommend that you don't chew hard nuts, ice, popcorn, candy apples, or other hard foods. These foods can even damage natural teeth, and while porcelain veneers are very resilient, they aren’t indestructible.
Will grinding my teeth 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 night guard to reduce the stress on your teeth while you sleep.