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What are dental veneers?
Veneers are custom-made, thin shells that are crafted from tooth-coloured porcelain. They are adhered to cover teeth that are worn down, discoloured, uneven, misaligned, irregularly shaped, or chipped.
What are the differences 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 veneered teeth get cavities?
The prevalence of tooth decay with veneers is similar to natural teeth as long as they receive appropriate care.
Can the dental veneers procedure be reversed?
A very thin layer of tooth enamel has to be removed in order to support the thickness of a veneer, therefore this generally isn't considered a reversible process.
What are the advantages of dental veneers?
In terms of dental restorations, more tooth structure is preserved with veneers (compared to crowns, for instance) because only a very small amount of the tooth's structure has to be removed. They might be able to help improve the appearance of your smile, and gum tissues usually respond well to veneers. The colour of the veneers could also be matched to your other teeth and this kind of restoration is fairly stain-resistant.
What are the disadvantages of 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 will my 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 can I get my new veneers to 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 in a whiter shade.
Will coffee, tea and red wine stain my veneers?
While your porcelain veneers shouldn't stain, you should try to avoid or minimize your consumption of these beverages if your teeth have a tendency to stain, as you want the colour of your natural teeth to match your veneers as closely as possible.
Will my teeth be sensitive to hot and cold temperatures with veneers?
During the first several days after your veneers have been applied, you will probably experience some sensitivity to hot and cold food and beverages as a result of having a thin layer of enamel removed. This feeling should go away within a few days at most. We recommend avoiding foods and drinks that are overly hot or cold during the first handful of days to give veneers time to settle.
How strong are veneers? Will I have 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.
Will my porcelain veneers get damaged if I grind my teeth at night?
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.